Wayne Barnes: Rugby World Cup final referee and record-breaker announces retirement from officiating

"Wayne Barnes Refs 2023 Rugby World Cup Final As South Africa Wins"

Updated on: 02/11/23 at 1:20pm

Wayne Barnes has declared he will no longer be officiating games in the future, after the World Cup final.

The top authority figure, Wayne Barnes, has shared the news of his retirement only five days following his refereeing of the Rugby World Cup final.

The final game officiated by the English referee posed a great difficulty. Barnes presented the very first red card in a men's World Cup final to the captain of New Zealand, Sam Cane. This happened during the match where South Africa won by a score of 12-11, held in Paris.

According to reports, Barnes received threats to his life and as a result of this, the 44-year-old has decided to ensure that referees are provided with enough support to be able to handle such pressures. However, he stated that due to family reasons, he is stepping down.

On social media, Barnes posted a statement saying that for the last two decades, they have been present in the midst of the most astonishing rugby games. They had the opportunity to perceive and cooperate with some of the most talented trainers and athletes worldwide.

On Saturday, I had the honor of being the referee for the Rugby World Cup finale, which featured two of the most renowned teams in the sport, the All Blacks and the Springboks. Many individuals claim that you will feel when it is time for you to retire, and for me and my loved ones, this is clearly the optimal moment.

I will keep showing my support for referees and collaborate with the International Rugby Match Officials' association to guarantee that match officials around the world have a united front and the necessary backing for themselves and their loved ones. This is especially important given the frequent occurrence of online abuse and threats towards everyone involved in the sport.

Barnes, who also practices law as a criminal barrister, started his career as a referee at the young age of 15. He accomplished a remarkable feat in 2001 when he became the youngest person to be selected as an official for the Panel of National referees at just 21 years old.

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James Cole explores the discrepancies in the judgments made by referees at the Rugby World Cup after Sam Cane was given a red card during the final match.

After four years, he transformed into a professional match official and proceeded to manage 272 matches in the Gallagher Premiership, which included 10 final games. In 2006, he oversaw his first international game and later surpassed Welsh referee Nigel Owens' record for holding the most matches. His 111th international game was during the World Cup final where he served as the referee.

Bill Beaumont, the chairperson of World Rugby, expressed that Wayne has greatly represented rugby and has been an exceptional ambassador for the sport, not only during games but also outside of the field.

He is exceptional not just because of his outstanding performance as a referee, but also because of his efforts to make refereeing accessible to a larger audience. He will be rightfully remembered as one of the best in the game, and a great asset to his country and family.

As a representative of World Rugby and the worldwide rugby community, I want to express my gratitude towards Wayne for his remarkable devotion, steadfastness, enthusiasm, and affection for the sport. These characteristics have culminated in his well-deserved recognition as the chosen referee for the Rugby World Cup 2023 final.

Barnes was in control of 272 matches in the Premiership.

Officiating can be a difficult task, possibly the most challenging role in athletics. It requires an exceptional individual with enthusiasm, commitment, and a strong support system to maintain excellence over an extended period, such as serving as an official for 111 matches and gaining the admiration of players, coaches, and spectators alike.

Overall, Barnes was the referee in five separate World Cups and was selected to oversee three separate Heineken Champions Cup finals. Additionally, he was also recognized with the Referee Award from World Rugby in 2019.

Phil Winstanley, who is the rugby director at Premiership Rugby, stated that Wayne Barnes is retiring from his impressive rugby career at the top. Wayne Barnes played in both club and Test matches.

You can clearly see Wayne's impact on Premiership Rugby. He's overseen a whopping 272 matches, including 10 big finals, and has definitely set a high standard.

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James Cole details how South Africa clinched their historic fourth Rugby World Cup championship by defeating New Zealand, who had their captain Sam Cane sent off with a red card and played with only 14 men.

He symbolizes match officials, not just in the Gallagher Premiership and on a global level but for all future referees.

Premiership Rugby and our teams are extremely pleased with the accomplishments of Barnesy. We all hope he succeeds as he moves on to the next phase of his profession.