Who is England referee Wayne Barnes?
Images via Instagram:
@waynebarnesref
England’s revenge? Who is SA vs NZ referee Wayne Barnes?
Should fans be worried about England ref Wayne Barnes? Take a look at the man in the middle of the Springboks vs All Blacks RWC final.
Who is England referee Wayne Barnes?
Images via Instagram:
@waynebarnesref
South Africans are wary of referee Wayne Barnes, who will officiate the Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and the All Blacks on Saturday, 28 October.
And much of the concern stems from his home country – England – a fierce rival to SA.
But the respected rugby veteran is not new to the game. The 44 year-old has officiated in five World Cups!
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‘IT IS MY GREATEST HONOUR’
In a tweet this week, English referee Wayne Barnes reacted to the announcement that he would referee the grand Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
He posted: “It is the greatest honour of my career to be given the responsibility of refereeing a Rugby World Cup final in 2023”.
The appointment marks Barnes’s first time refereeing in a World Cup final.
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FIVE FACTS ABOUT WAYNE BARNES
Here are five facts about the man in the hot seat of the Rugby World Cup final.
He’s a lawyer by profession.
Wayne Barnes is a criminal barrister and partner at international law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
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He became the youngest referee appointed at just 21
Wayne started playing rugby at eight years old and refereed his first game at 15.
He’s refereed at five Rugby World Cups.
Wayne Barnes was there when Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy in 2007 and 2019.
He was also on duty in 2011, 2015, and now 2023.
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He’s travelled to South Africa multiple times.
In one Instagram post, he shared: “After over 20 years of going to South Africa, one of my officiating bucket list items was ticked off last weekend: refereeing in the fantastic stadium that is Kings Park”.
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He has a book in the pipeline.
Wayne Barne’s autobiography Throwing the Book will be released on 9 November 2023.
