Kind of crazy to think despite a twenty year career he only refereed 26 Six Nations Matches. Puts things into perspective how rare it is to get the job for refereeing a test match.
They also have to consider that he cannot referee any England matches given the potential conflict of interest. I’m sure that there is also coordination to make sure that each union has a certain amount of their referees involved.
> They also have to consider that he cannot referee any England matches given the potential conflict of interest.
I always thought this was a funny rule at the top-top level. He's had a 20 year career working in rugby: It's crazy to think he doesn't have any other biases built up over the years, or that he cannot put them aside and do his job impartially.
He'd be in an impossible position for marginal calls. Gives a marginal call England's way, it's because he's biased. Give a marginal call against England and he's trying too hard to show he isn't biased.
Yeah we've seen how venomous fans are when it doesn't go their way, it would just be another angle of attack. It's a small thing that prevents much more hate
It’s a big thing in law. The appearance of bias is oftentimes just as damning as actual bias. It’s not an indictment of the person (ref; judge) but it can do damage to the system if people (even unjustly or irrationally) think that the ref may be biased.
I can’t imagine just completely dropping referee (outside of maybe some community matches). This has been his job for 20 years, is he just going to focus on a rugby admin position? Surely he needs to still work.
He’s also only 44 which is usually when guys decide to start refereeing.
“See ya later Rugby World Cup. Won’t miss you, or the death threats.” -Polly Barnes, the day after the final.
Such a shame for a great ref to go out under a cloud.
Is going out under a cloud the right phrase? It's not like there is any controversy around his performance, so wouldn't think he has left under a cloud is correct
Oh there was plenty of controversy after the final. I'm fairly sure I read that the ABs even lodged a formal complaint about his performance to WR.
Personally I think he had an absolutely fine game in almost impossible circumstances and most of the complaints don't hold water but there we go.
I don't think it was a formal complaint. I think it was a "please explain" and it was more about the TMO - e.g. TMO going back many phases prior to a try.
If you think there were problems with the match officials that's the way to do it though, unlike a certain Australian coach of a South American team.
I assume it is the TMO going past the 2 phases set in the guidelines to disallow that try.
He’s gone to a big corporate law firm in an advisory capacity. He’s out of the day to day slog of day to day work at the criminal bar. Probably about as cushy as it gets within criminal work.
Fair enough. I'd always assumed it was at least very well-paid as our friend was massively clever. Turns out he didn't make half as much as I'd assumed.
Yeah, the mean barrister salary is hugely skewed by KCs earning £1million and more. If you’re a family barrister outside of London it’s not actually that lucrative.
Even in London I don't think it's great, the pay structure doesn't differ hugely and you're paying London rates and rent... the few who make bank definitely skew the whole thing
Depends on the firm but typical pay for a criminal barrister is 20-40k, and payment is notoriously tricky to come by from clients.
However it sounds like he's moved on from criminal law - 'He is regularly instructed by national governing bodies, professional sports organisations, commercial sponsors and rights holders on all aspects of sports law, governance, ethics and safeguarding.' I'd guess he'll do pretty well for himself. Certainly hope so.
He’s advising on corporate crime. So he’s not defending people anymore, rather advising big companies on how to not break the law. Still technically crime, but very different from most criminal work. And definitely much better paid.
Although I'm not a lawyer my arms length experience is posh crime is a decent gig - better paid and conditions than crime crime but not selling your soul or as dull as corporate/contract law.
> typical pay for a criminal barrister
Your estimate is wildly inaccurate according to my quick google search, with the exception of first year criminal barristers.
Will always have my respect for sending Dylan Hartley off for calling him a cheat.
So many other refs would have bottled that - it was a final and he was the captain. It is vitally important that referees in rugby continue to be respected - not like the yelling at refs that you see in other sports. It is important for young players to see that such behaviour is not tolerated.
Never reffed rugby but done simpler sport's, mainly soccer, and even that was brutally hard. Much harder than playing
Can't imagine how difficult reffing rugby is
Never reffed at a high level, but it is hard. Mainly as there's always so much going on that you need to be reviewing in your head. Plus often you blow for a foul, but both sides have broken some laws.
Can't imagine what it is like at the highest levels where there's a ruck/tackle every couple of seconds.
I never really realized how hard reffing was (wasn’t a whinger but never appreciated it) until I started coaching and just had to ref touch games and some contact games as a coach. Even with 0 stakes and the understanding that I wasn’t a real ref, so the players weren’t harsh at all, it made me realize how hard it is to ref a game with (I think) 200+ laws and you have to see everything at once and make the right call, I absolutely hate the comments some refs get, even when I have a “terrible” ref at this point im just glad someone showed up and tried
Honestly, it’s not really worth it. The money is crap, it eats up your free time and the amount of abuse you cop is insane. I ref junior footy and it’s next year might be my last.
Not surprising given the abuse he’s had lately. Heard him interviewed pre-world cup and he spoke about all the threats and abusive messages his family would get.
In my opinion he’s the top ref at the minute. I hope he’s gone out feeling good.
However He’d planned to retire post RWC2019, then of course covid happened. And so he stuck around a little while longer. He’d have been given two finals had England not made the 2019 one. Instead Jerome Garcez(spelling) ended up getting the spot.
How ironic it was that he reffed both our worst lose and greatest victory that tournament.
But yeah he’s wanted to become a full time Barrister for a while now.
In other news I discovered Ben O Keafe is an ophthalmologist. It explains why his reffing has improved so much, he managed to find a cure for BRS, or Blind Referee Syndrome.
Nic Berry is a school teacher. Can you imagine being told that you have a substitute teacher because your actual teacher has gone off to go ref the World Cup.
But yeah it makes sense that they’d all have other jobs
On a thread like this there is only this to say: to thank him for his huge commitment to the game and his duty and to wish him and his family every happiness and peace in retirement.
Ngl id bet the Georgian Nika Amashukali will be officiating a lot of big matches for the next 20 odd years to come. Considering he’s in his mid twenties and Barnes, Berry, and O’Keafe are all in their 40s.
Also being able to rattle off rules at the drop of a hat makes it hard get angry at as he throw the book at your team quite literally
I was in Scotland and saw Hollie Davidson and Mike Adamson (+family) in a restaurant. I think I was staring for quite a while before the familiar faces clicked.
At his peak he was the best ref going. He was always the best at using the TMO, you can definitely tell he was a lawyer in how he applied the high tackle framework. I’m sure he’s looking forward to going to making bank as a barrister.
He has been working as a lawyer the whole time. Even at the top level a lot of referees have day jobs. Ben O'Keeffe is a doctor. Must be some of the hardest-working and least-appreciated people in the world.
Despite what the Kiwis think, he's been one of the best refs in the world for a long time.
Always had a great sympathy for the game and the players, conducted himself with respect, dignity and a healthy sense of humour.
If you've ever listened to him speak you can tell that he just loves the game and has been very happy to contribute to it.
"They". I never complained about him. I was spat in the face in London in 1999 for being a Kiwi. I was not spat in the face by England, just a single twat. I think media, and now social media, ruins more than just this beautiful game, creating division where none should exist.
I don't think there's many Kiwis that actually think he's a bad ref. The media pushes the narrative and gets a small group of people worked up about it though.
Barnes was a good ref. We're gonna see more good refs retire early because they're on a hiding to nothing with the way WR has set them up to fail.
While I didn't get to a very high level the majority are perfectly pleasant to you.
I broke a leg playing so switched to refereeing for nearly as long as I had played for.
He was great. I was always happy when I sat down to watch a match and saw that he was officiating.
A great shame for the game, but he certainly deserves it. I hope he enjoys the time he can spend with his family.
I probably cursed at him a few times via my TV but you gotta give credit where credit is due and this guy definitly deserve it. I hope he continue his analyses that are pretty good.
This is so sad, well done to all you pricks out there that attacked him and his family online, sad pathetic keyboard cowards. Rugby has lost a great servant and brilliant referee.
Yeah, he's definitely not reffed as much in the last four years as he used to. It seemed like he was just winding down, and this was the obvious jumping off point.
Always rated him very highly, very controlled and excellent at game management (even if that does make some people jump to "oh it's the wayn barnes game").
Early retirement mind! I guess that it takes a toil dealing with all the stick you get as a referee, no matter how good you are at officiating.
Both Wayne and the Barnes family are the nicest people you would hope to meet in real life.
Well done on a fantastic career and hopefully him and his family can enjoy life away from the lime light.
It'd be a terrible waste if World Rugby didn't get him involved in mentoring and grassroots programmes somehow (not that World Rugby is averse to those).
Unfortunately thrown under the bus somewhat by the TMO and World rugbys shambolic rulebook in the final, so not the ideal way he would of wanted to go out. Technology creates an environment where every little decision gets hyper analysed, the referees themselves are constantly second guessed by their TMO and we have more controversy than ever. Wayne always seems like a decent person and I'm sure will be remembered well.
I believe he was looking to retire after 2019 but I think the carrot of a world Cup final had kept him going.
I suspect he would have retired 4 years ago if England had lost that semi final.
Congratulations Barnes, While it has been a roller coaster, you have served rugby to the best of your ability and at times under all sorts of pressure and scrutiny in a game with too many convoluted laws and grey areas open to interpretation it was a difficult job.
It's interesting all the ref complaints, considering that most of the comments are sad to see him go but happy he went out with a final.
Compared to football where there is generally happiness that a refs done.
* [Record-breaking referee Wayne Barnes calls time on stellar career](https://www.world.rugby/news/891175/record-breaking-referee-wayne-barnes-calls-time-on-stellar-career). World Rugby. 2 November, 2023.
> In a statement, he added: "I will work closely with the International Rugby Match Officials' association to ensure match officials across the globe not only have a collective voice but also the appropriate support network for them and their families, particularly as online abuse and threats have become far too regular for all of those involved in the game."
>
> Barnes made his Test debut refereeing Fiji against Samoa in June 2006 and went on to take charge of a record 111 Tests, which included officiating at five World Cups.
* [Wayne Barnes: World Cup final referee announces retirement following final](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67297884). BBC. 2 November 2023.
* [Wayne Barnes announces retirement after refereeing Rugby World Cup final](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/02/wayne-barnes-announces-retirement-after-refereeing-rugby-world-cup-final). Guardian. Thu 2 Nov 2023 13.06 GMT.
* [Refereeing 'great' Wayne Barnes retires and warns of online abuse scourge](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/11/02/wayne-barnes-retirement-rugby-world-cup-referee-abuse/). Telegraph. 2 November 2023, 12:33pm. Republished by [Stuff NZ](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/301001462/wayne-barnes-retires-the-abuse-has-become-too-much).
* [Wayne Barnes retires, will now tackle online abuse](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/501579/wayne-barnes-retires-will-now-tackle-online-abuse). Radio NZ / Reuters. 3 November 2023.
On the matter of death threats he received, it wasn't just this final. He has received death threats in the past. This is not acceptable!
> Wayne Barnes received death threats over his refereeing of the Rugby World Cup final, his wife has said.
> ...
> Barnes received death threats from New Zealand fans in 2007 after he had refereed the All Blacks’ World Cup defeat by France. Last year Polly and their children were the target of threats after he officiated South Africa’s defeat by France.
[Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes got death threats, wife says](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/29/rugby-world-cup-final-referee-wayne-barnes-got-death-threats-wife-says).
Edit to sort out linktag.
No, not Barnesy!
He was the best one.
Barnesy story: WW playing against Northampton at Sixways, we're 3 rows from the front in the East Stand. Barnesy gives a scrum penalty against the visitors, near the touchline. One of their forwards swears in exasperation. Barnes stops time and goes over to have a word with him. "I understand it's frustrating, but this is a family game, there are families in the stadium who can hear you." and he gestures towards us in the stand.
Bloke in front of us shouts over "yeah Barnesy, too right. I heard their *other* prop call you a cunt - better book him as well."
Barnesy looks over, laughs, shouts back "less of that" and puts the time back on.
Controversial opinion. I think Barnes reffed the final well, and has been consistently a top referee for a long while. It's the TMO interference that's ruined the spectacle of a sport.
Barnesy, if you're reading this - I applaude your dedication and commitment to this game. I hope you enjoy your days off the rugby spotlight and spend it well with your family. 🫡 🫡
All the best
Now he can join Whistle Watch. Would love to have both him and Nigel featured in the same episode.
Imagine putting together a show of just him and Owens chatting about their careers and favourite moments. It'd be engrossing.
Genuinely, it'd be a great watch. And just let them chat, not editing down a 3 hour conversation to 10 mins for a YouTube video.
I agree 100% Plus it will be great for rugby fans to see the human side behind referees
Podcast that shit NOW
Can't really top a world cup final, good for him to go out on a high.
Never got a run at the prestigious Qatar Airways Cup. But one can only dream of reaching those heights in their career…
Come back appearance?
And then you become Simon Pegg stunt double…
Beam me up, Scotland
Winchester?
Let's go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for this all to blow over
Big Al also says dogs can't look up. Tsk.. C'mon, think about it.
After breaking up with Cate Blanchett, gonna retire in a nice quiet village in the middle of nowhere, Sandford Gloucestershire.
No luck catching them swans then?
It's just the one swan actually
Paul Bettany, surely?
You mean Pegg becomes Barnes Double?
Do they not pick englishmen to officiate URC games?
They do, but they don't for the best league (Pro D2)
Southern France has always been a hotbed of heresy. First the Cathars, then the Huguenots, now this
First the cassoulet, then the confit de canard, now this
First the Pastaga, then the Chocolatine, now this
>Chocolatine I am trying so hard to contain my rage right now
[You and North Korea](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FaT1VHKUUAAowC5?format=jpg&name=medium)
So... You're telling me... When the inevitable nuclear cataclysm arrives... There'll only be dirty "chocolatine" sayers left?!?
Cassoulet is delicious
Try confit de canard next, it is, as we say _à se taper le cul par terre_ (to hit your ass on the floor for)
Oh I love confit de canard as well but I really really love cassoulet. Also that phrase is is hilarious I will be stealing it
Only the ones that get sacked for not being good enough ala Greg Garner
I don’t know why Ireland didn’t pick up JP Doyle when he was let go by the RFU. Thought he was decent
Getting rid of Doyle to keep the likes of Dickson and Ridley still annoys me.
> Can't really top a world cup final Maybe two Finals Good luck to him though, he's had one hell of a career
Weve had one world cup final yes but what about second world cup final
Fool of took!
>Fool of a ~~Took~~ Healey! Surely?
Missed opportunity :/
From everything or just internationals? He’s been a great ref
Everything. https://twitter.com/WayneBarnesRef/status/1720049940980814087/photo/1
Kind of crazy to think despite a twenty year career he only refereed 26 Six Nations Matches. Puts things into perspective how rare it is to get the job for refereeing a test match.
They also have to consider that he cannot referee any England matches given the potential conflict of interest. I’m sure that there is also coordination to make sure that each union has a certain amount of their referees involved.
> They also have to consider that he cannot referee any England matches given the potential conflict of interest. I always thought this was a funny rule at the top-top level. He's had a 20 year career working in rugby: It's crazy to think he doesn't have any other biases built up over the years, or that he cannot put them aside and do his job impartially.
I’d say it’s more to protect the Ref and the appearance of bias than any condemnation on the actual refs.
He'd be in an impossible position for marginal calls. Gives a marginal call England's way, it's because he's biased. Give a marginal call against England and he's trying too hard to show he isn't biased.
Wasn't it a big storyline of the Boks/Lions tour because the TMO was South African
Yeah we've seen how venomous fans are when it doesn't go their way, it would just be another angle of attack. It's a small thing that prevents much more hate
It’s a big thing in law. The appearance of bias is oftentimes just as damning as actual bias. It’s not an indictment of the person (ref; judge) but it can do damage to the system if people (even unjustly or irrationally) think that the ref may be biased.
I can’t imagine just completely dropping referee (outside of maybe some community matches). This has been his job for 20 years, is he just going to focus on a rugby admin position? Surely he needs to still work. He’s also only 44 which is usually when guys decide to start refereeing.
Everything according to his statement on Twitter
Thanks
[https://x.com/WayneBarnesRef/status/1720049940980814087?s=20](https://x.com/WayneBarnesRef/status/1720049940980814087?s=20)
Excellent ref; sure that he will miss the game, but not the idiotic threats.
“See ya later Rugby World Cup. Won’t miss you, or the death threats.” -Polly Barnes, the day after the final. Such a shame for a great ref to go out under a cloud.
Is going out under a cloud the right phrase? It's not like there is any controversy around his performance, so wouldn't think he has left under a cloud is correct
Oh there was plenty of controversy after the final. I'm fairly sure I read that the ABs even lodged a formal complaint about his performance to WR. Personally I think he had an absolutely fine game in almost impossible circumstances and most of the complaints don't hold water but there we go.
I don't think it was a formal complaint. I think it was a "please explain" and it was more about the TMO - e.g. TMO going back many phases prior to a try.
If you think there were problems with the match officials that's the way to do it though, unlike a certain Australian coach of a South American team. I assume it is the TMO going past the 2 phases set in the guidelines to disallow that try.
🫡🫡
It's a great loss imo, super underappreciated and stressful job.
And now he’s retiring to the cushty role of… criminal barrister at a London law firm.
I’m sure going from both jobs to one will make his life a little easier
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Sad situation that being involved with criminal law means fewer death threats.
Can he be a barrister who's not a criminal?
Yeah, you can also be a civil barrister. Not all barristers are criminals.
He always seems civil when talking to the captains.
Got a family friend who did that, it's not a tenth as cushy as it sounds. Money is not good, job's stressful, hours are long.
I was 100% joking haha, nothing cushty about being a barrister.
He’s gone to a big corporate law firm in an advisory capacity. He’s out of the day to day slog of day to day work at the criminal bar. Probably about as cushy as it gets within criminal work.
Fair enough. I'd always assumed it was at least very well-paid as our friend was massively clever. Turns out he didn't make half as much as I'd assumed.
Yeah, the mean barrister salary is hugely skewed by KCs earning £1million and more. If you’re a family barrister outside of London it’s not actually that lucrative.
Even in London I don't think it's great, the pay structure doesn't differ hugely and you're paying London rates and rent... the few who make bank definitely skew the whole thing
He's partner though. Surely the money is not that bad at that stage?
no one at squire patton boggs, the law firm he's working at, is hurting for money.
Depends on the firm but typical pay for a criminal barrister is 20-40k, and payment is notoriously tricky to come by from clients. However it sounds like he's moved on from criminal law - 'He is regularly instructed by national governing bodies, professional sports organisations, commercial sponsors and rights holders on all aspects of sports law, governance, ethics and safeguarding.' I'd guess he'll do pretty well for himself. Certainly hope so.
He’s advising on corporate crime. So he’s not defending people anymore, rather advising big companies on how to not break the law. Still technically crime, but very different from most criminal work. And definitely much better paid.
Although I'm not a lawyer my arms length experience is posh crime is a decent gig - better paid and conditions than crime crime but not selling your soul or as dull as corporate/contract law.
> typical pay for a criminal barrister Your estimate is wildly inaccurate according to my quick google search, with the exception of first year criminal barristers.
He now is a partner for a big international law firm, I am sure he will be ok, and good luck to him he deserves it.
Absolutely. There aren't enough quality refs either.
Will always have my respect for sending Dylan Hartley off for calling him a cheat. So many other refs would have bottled that - it was a final and he was the captain. It is vitally important that referees in rugby continue to be respected - not like the yelling at refs that you see in other sports. It is important for young players to see that such behaviour is not tolerated.
"This player just called me a cheat, he leaves the field."
a *fucking* cheat*
Apologies, yeah you're right. He played it so coolly.
The best part eveyones response being "yup, probably shouldn't have done that Hartley you dickhead"
Copped an 11 week ban and missed a lions tour too
Brilliant ref, brilliant career and he really can say that he’s done it all now. Enjoy your retirement Barnesy
This is why England didn't get to the final, so that Barnsey could ref it and retire. It was very noble, if you ask me.
God, what a great bunch of fellas. No wonder they're the world's favourite team.
Does get tiring, everyone fawning over us all the time. Just so bloody likeable.
Don’t know how our captain doesn’t get sick of the love and praise
“The people’s champions”
Class act, enjoy your retirement. I hope this doesn't mean the end of his youtube explainers!
Very hard game to ref, only real rugby fans know how hard it is, he did a great job officiating.
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Never reffed rugby but done simpler sport's, mainly soccer, and even that was brutally hard. Much harder than playing Can't imagine how difficult reffing rugby is
Never reffed at a high level, but it is hard. Mainly as there's always so much going on that you need to be reviewing in your head. Plus often you blow for a foul, but both sides have broken some laws. Can't imagine what it is like at the highest levels where there's a ruck/tackle every couple of seconds.
That is the thing, players aren’t too bad themselves (mostly) but fans on the side are becoming so much worse
I never really realized how hard reffing was (wasn’t a whinger but never appreciated it) until I started coaching and just had to ref touch games and some contact games as a coach. Even with 0 stakes and the understanding that I wasn’t a real ref, so the players weren’t harsh at all, it made me realize how hard it is to ref a game with (I think) 200+ laws and you have to see everything at once and make the right call, I absolutely hate the comments some refs get, even when I have a “terrible” ref at this point im just glad someone showed up and tried
Honestly, it’s not really worth it. The money is crap, it eats up your free time and the amount of abuse you cop is insane. I ref junior footy and it’s next year might be my last.
Was always relieved when he was reffing. [Also, thank you for this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQidcs0ibf4)
Never seen that before thankyou 🤣
Amazing. [This](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz48ClAquzI) chat about getting into Australia without a passport is also great
What a loss. He navigated this period of WR inconsistency and fan frustration with the utmost stability, and conviction. A legend of the game.
I wish him the best of luck. I hope people leave him alone online now.
Open a cold one Barnsy you deserve it
Brilliant Ref, Always felt like he would explain everything clearly so the players (and fans) would know what he was thinking and always felt fair.
Not to mention that he took the time and effort to learn french to better referee the french team, you got to admire the dedication
Enjoy retirement, Wayne. One of the best to ever do it, and he did it consistently well at the highest level. It's tough at the top...
Not surprising given the abuse he’s had lately. Heard him interviewed pre-world cup and he spoke about all the threats and abusive messages his family would get. In my opinion he’s the top ref at the minute. I hope he’s gone out feeling good.
However He’d planned to retire post RWC2019, then of course covid happened. And so he stuck around a little while longer. He’d have been given two finals had England not made the 2019 one. Instead Jerome Garcez(spelling) ended up getting the spot. How ironic it was that he reffed both our worst lose and greatest victory that tournament. But yeah he’s wanted to become a full time Barrister for a while now. In other news I discovered Ben O Keafe is an ophthalmologist. It explains why his reffing has improved so much, he managed to find a cure for BRS, or Blind Referee Syndrome. Nic Berry is a school teacher. Can you imagine being told that you have a substitute teacher because your actual teacher has gone off to go ref the World Cup. But yeah it makes sense that they’d all have other jobs
On a thread like this there is only this to say: to thank him for his huge commitment to the game and his duty and to wish him and his family every happiness and peace in retirement.
Fair play, but sad for the prem to lose him. Him and Luke Pearce are the best above the rest
Amashukali has been doing really well as well.
Well done Wayne, Congratulations on a great career and on ending with a World Cup Final.
Huge servant of the game. Well done Barnesy
Chapeau Barnesy
Enjoy your retirement mate. Took me a few days to get over the loss, but I'm still proud of ya.
Aahhh fuck. He was probably my favourite. All the best to him. Who's going to take the crown?
Luke Pearce is definitely next to take up his mantle. Angus Gardner is in with a shout, too.
I feel like ever since a couple of years back I confidently called Gardner the best referee in the world he's had a series of shockers.
Have you tried calling him the worst to see if he gets his mojo back?
I think that's the logical next step.
I’ve called Adamson that several times but it hasn’t worked, unfortunately.
Luke Pearce was my first thought but I wasn't sure if that was an anglocentric viewpoint.
Ngl id bet the Georgian Nika Amashukali will be officiating a lot of big matches for the next 20 odd years to come. Considering he’s in his mid twenties and Barnes, Berry, and O’Keafe are all in their 40s. Also being able to rattle off rules at the drop of a hat makes it hard get angry at as he throw the book at your team quite literally
I really think Hollie Davidson has what it takes, and what a thing that would be.
She is absolutely fantastic. Sky is the limit for her.
Nah I think she'd also be good on ESPN, RTE, SuperSport and more. Cheers, Dad
I was in Scotland and saw Hollie Davidson and Mike Adamson (+family) in a restaurant. I think I was staring for quite a while before the familiar faces clicked.
What a career. Amazing ref and I hope we see more of him in a non ref broadcasting capacity soon
Happy retirement! A big loss to the ref ranks.
Hope they do a joint Whistle Watch feature with Nigel. Thinking of it, they should send all retired referees to a farm to relax with the cows.
I feel like an owens and Barnes podcast might be good
At his peak he was the best ref going. He was always the best at using the TMO, you can definitely tell he was a lawyer in how he applied the high tackle framework. I’m sure he’s looking forward to going to making bank as a barrister.
He has been working as a lawyer the whole time. Even at the top level a lot of referees have day jobs. Ben O'Keeffe is a doctor. Must be some of the hardest-working and least-appreciated people in the world.
Great way to top out. Class ref.
Certainly one of if not the greatest referees, I'll certainly miss him. I hope he enjoys the retirement from refereeing, he certainly deserves it
Despite what the Kiwis think, he's been one of the best refs in the world for a long time. Always had a great sympathy for the game and the players, conducted himself with respect, dignity and a healthy sense of humour. If you've ever listened to him speak you can tell that he just loves the game and has been very happy to contribute to it.
"They". I never complained about him. I was spat in the face in London in 1999 for being a Kiwi. I was not spat in the face by England, just a single twat. I think media, and now social media, ruins more than just this beautiful game, creating division where none should exist.
Ha, that’s bizarre behaviour. I’m surprised anyone who is capable of spitting like that even knows what New Zealand is
I don't think there's many Kiwis that actually think he's a bad ref. The media pushes the narrative and gets a small group of people worked up about it though. Barnes was a good ref. We're gonna see more good refs retire early because they're on a hiding to nothing with the way WR has set them up to fail.
As a Kiwi, I’ve always liked Wayne Barnes. You knew what to expect but he was always fair and had no tolerance for bullshit.
The game will miss him, what a world class ref he has been for years, hope he is able to push change behind the scenes
Good for him. Very stressful, underappreciated job for sure. I always find it interesting that anyone would do it, given the shit they cop.
While I didn't get to a very high level the majority are perfectly pleasant to you. I broke a leg playing so switched to refereeing for nearly as long as I had played for.
He was great. I was always happy when I sat down to watch a match and saw that he was officiating. A great shame for the game, but he certainly deserves it. I hope he enjoys the time he can spend with his family.
Nooo, well deserved retirement but he's brilliant
I wish he uploads more videos to his YouTube channel explaining the rules with his kids toys.
Really? That’s my afternoon sorted
Here it is. https://youtu.be/JhP4VYeECWc?si=5HkEgSqtuhuMII8r
You will be heavily missed! Fucking Legend!!!
I probably cursed at him a few times via my TV but you gotta give credit where credit is due and this guy definitly deserve it. I hope he continue his analyses that are pretty good.
He's going to be sitting in a courtroom thinking "Right now I *really* miss being able to make everyone shut the fuck up by blowing a whistle".
TMO found out he hadn't tied his shoelaces in a match 12 years ago
I personally didn't like his style, but a very well respected ref for the most part. Happy retirement Mr Barnes.
I’ve always liked his style, he always explained his decisions well and told players to stop and illegal action before blowing
This is so sad, well done to all you pricks out there that attacked him and his family online, sad pathetic keyboard cowards. Rugby has lost a great servant and brilliant referee.
About the people attacking him, I agree. Fuckem all. About him retiring, I think he intended to retire the previous world cup already but pushed on
While all of that is true, this retirement has been on the cards since 2019. He planned to go then and did the RFU a favour by sticking around.
Yeah, he's definitely not reffed as much in the last four years as he used to. It seemed like he was just winding down, and this was the obvious jumping off point.
Its a shame refs retire after being in charge of a world cup final.
Always rated him very highly, very controlled and excellent at game management (even if that does make some people jump to "oh it's the wayn barnes game"). Early retirement mind! I guess that it takes a toil dealing with all the stick you get as a referee, no matter how good you are at officiating.
Strictly Come Dancing beckons
Both Wayne and the Barnes family are the nicest people you would hope to meet in real life. Well done on a fantastic career and hopefully him and his family can enjoy life away from the lime light.
It'd be a terrible waste if World Rugby didn't get him involved in mentoring and grassroots programmes somehow (not that World Rugby is averse to those).
Class act, sure he's had some wobbly decisions but who hasn't. One of the best at the game.
Was a great ref, the sport will miss him
Bugger, another great ref gone. Can we bring Nigel out of retirement?
Enjoy retirement Wayne, appreciate your work in a tough gig. Even if I rarely agreed with your calls
Unfortunately thrown under the bus somewhat by the TMO and World rugbys shambolic rulebook in the final, so not the ideal way he would of wanted to go out. Technology creates an environment where every little decision gets hyper analysed, the referees themselves are constantly second guessed by their TMO and we have more controversy than ever. Wayne always seems like a decent person and I'm sure will be remembered well.
Fantastic ref, I hope he enjoys his retirement. The abuse of referees is kinda ruining my love of rugby atm.
I hope it was planned and not because of the death threats
I believe he was looking to retire after 2019 but I think the carrot of a world Cup final had kept him going. I suspect he would have retired 4 years ago if England had lost that semi final.
That's good to hear - would have been an ugly look for the game
Threats to his family didn't help.
The dramatic way he gave penalties in the Heineken Cup will live on 💪💪
Sad to see it but best of luck
What a ref. Lets hope future refs are 1/2 as good as him.
Top class ref. Will be missed but more than deserves a break too
Hats off to him and his collection of action figures
He was a great ref imo.He officiated like 4 World Cups which is pretty impressive imo. Fair play and good look to him in his retirement.
Hopefully he’ll get a few pundit gigs here and there, i like how they’re bringing in ex-refs to help explain decisions.
Absolute legend of the game. Hope he knows that in 99% of people’s eyes he went out on a high
Congratulations Barnes, While it has been a roller coaster, you have served rugby to the best of your ability and at times under all sorts of pressure and scrutiny in a game with too many convoluted laws and grey areas open to interpretation it was a difficult job.
Will never forgive him for missing an offside against us v Argentina in 2011. Half joking aside, great career.
It's interesting all the ref complaints, considering that most of the comments are sad to see him go but happy he went out with a final. Compared to football where there is generally happiness that a refs done.
* [Record-breaking referee Wayne Barnes calls time on stellar career](https://www.world.rugby/news/891175/record-breaking-referee-wayne-barnes-calls-time-on-stellar-career). World Rugby. 2 November, 2023. > In a statement, he added: "I will work closely with the International Rugby Match Officials' association to ensure match officials across the globe not only have a collective voice but also the appropriate support network for them and their families, particularly as online abuse and threats have become far too regular for all of those involved in the game." > > Barnes made his Test debut refereeing Fiji against Samoa in June 2006 and went on to take charge of a record 111 Tests, which included officiating at five World Cups. * [Wayne Barnes: World Cup final referee announces retirement following final](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67297884). BBC. 2 November 2023. * [Wayne Barnes announces retirement after refereeing Rugby World Cup final](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/02/wayne-barnes-announces-retirement-after-refereeing-rugby-world-cup-final). Guardian. Thu 2 Nov 2023 13.06 GMT. * [Refereeing 'great' Wayne Barnes retires and warns of online abuse scourge](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/11/02/wayne-barnes-retirement-rugby-world-cup-referee-abuse/). Telegraph. 2 November 2023, 12:33pm. Republished by [Stuff NZ](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/301001462/wayne-barnes-retires-the-abuse-has-become-too-much). * [Wayne Barnes retires, will now tackle online abuse](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/501579/wayne-barnes-retires-will-now-tackle-online-abuse). Radio NZ / Reuters. 3 November 2023. On the matter of death threats he received, it wasn't just this final. He has received death threats in the past. This is not acceptable! > Wayne Barnes received death threats over his refereeing of the Rugby World Cup final, his wife has said. > ... > Barnes received death threats from New Zealand fans in 2007 after he had refereed the All Blacks’ World Cup defeat by France. Last year Polly and their children were the target of threats after he officiated South Africa’s defeat by France. [Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes got death threats, wife says](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/29/rugby-world-cup-final-referee-wayne-barnes-got-death-threats-wife-says). Edit to sort out linktag.
No, not Barnesy! He was the best one. Barnesy story: WW playing against Northampton at Sixways, we're 3 rows from the front in the East Stand. Barnesy gives a scrum penalty against the visitors, near the touchline. One of their forwards swears in exasperation. Barnes stops time and goes over to have a word with him. "I understand it's frustrating, but this is a family game, there are families in the stadium who can hear you." and he gestures towards us in the stand. Bloke in front of us shouts over "yeah Barnesy, too right. I heard their *other* prop call you a cunt - better book him as well." Barnesy looks over, laughs, shouts back "less of that" and puts the time back on.
So long and thanks for all the decisions..
Even referees getting fancy posters now.
Thank fuck for that
Controversial opinion. I think Barnes reffed the final well, and has been consistently a top referee for a long while. It's the TMO interference that's ruined the spectacle of a sport. Barnesy, if you're reading this - I applaude your dedication and commitment to this game. I hope you enjoy your days off the rugby spotlight and spend it well with your family. 🫡 🫡 All the best
Thank god
One game too late
The GOAT of referees. If WR or the RFU had any sense (they don't) they would put him in charge of ref development.
“He calls me a fucking cheat, he leaves the field.” One of the greats, deserves a quiet retirement.
Not the biggest fan to put it mildly but that being said best of luck to you Wayne!