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Video courtesy of New Zealand Herald

He’s a television host, a part-time comedian and happens to be the best and most capped rugby referee in world rugby.

Nigel Owens has seen the All Blacks cry tears of joy in lifting the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham and now the 45-year-old whistleblower has left the New Zealand public dewy-eyed with an X-factor-winning performance of stirring Welsh song Myfanwy.

On the New Zealand Herald Focus programme, Owens, who is in Auckland to officiate in the All Blacks’ quest for a world record 18th straight Test victory when taking on age-old rivals Australia at Eden Park, gave an insight into life as an international referee to presenter, NZME’s Tony Veitch.

And when asked to bow out on a song Owens, who broke Joanthan Kaplan’s 70 Test world record when taking charge of Fiji against Tonga in June, broke into a note perfect rendition of the classic Welsh song.

And such is Owens’ popularity in the land of the long white cloud, the Mynyddcerrig-born referee will be guest of honour at the Auckland Writers Festival public event at Auckland Grammar school on Thursday night.

Owens will give a talk on his autobiography and admitted to be taken aback with news the event is going to attract an audience of 900-1,000 people.

“I think they were a bit late, the book has been out a few years now,” said Owens.

“I was very surprised when I heard 900 were there. I was expecting a couple of hundred perhaps.”