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'Fantastic' Barnes set to overtake Owens' Test referee record

(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

England referee Wayne Barnes is set to make history when he takes charge of his 100th and 101st Test matches during the upcoming November international window. The 43-year-old, who made his debut in Fiji in June 2006, will become only the second referee to reach a century of Test games after Nigel Owens when he takes charge of Wales versus New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on November 5.

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Englishman Barnes will then set an outright record of 101 Test matches when he referees the game between Six Nations Grand Slam winners France and reigning world champions South Africa in Paris a week later on November 12.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to Wayne on his selection and pending record. To be so good for so long as a referee is no easy feat. Wayne Barnes, like Nigel Owens before him, reaches 100 Tests by being not just a fantastic referee, but a great team player, a student of the game and someone who is greatly respected by players, coaches and fans alike.”

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In total, 23 match officials representing ten nations will take charge of the 37 November Test games announced so far. The Emirates World Rugby match official appointments, made by World Rugby’s match official selection committee, marks another important milestone on the road to Rugby World Cup 2023 in France and these latest appointments also include the RWC 2023 final qualification tournament in Dubai where the 20th team will be confirmed for next year’s tournament.

Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli takes charge of the first Test of the window – Japan versus New Zealand on October 29 – and Australia’s Angus Gardner the last with England versus South Africa on November 26. South Africa’s Jaco Peyper will referee two matches in November, bringing up 60 Tests with Ireland versus Fiji on November 12. Luke Pearce takes charge of Scotland versus Australia on October 29, his 40th Test as a referee.

Six different referees will officiate matches in the final qualification tournament. Tual Trainini (France) will referee the opening match – USA versus Kenya – on November 6 and Paul Williams (New Zealand) will take charge of the final one, USA versus Portugal on November 18. Christophe Ridley (England) will referee his first test involving a Six Nations team with Italy versus Samoa on November 5. Meanwhile, Andrea Piardi (Italy) also referees a Six Nations team for the first time with his appointment for Wales versus Georgia on November 19.

World Rugby selection committee chairman Graham Mourie added: “I would like to echo Bill Beaumont’s congratulations regarding Wayne’s impending milestone. Wayne is a role model, a leader and an outstanding match official, he thoroughly deserves what will be a fine record.

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“As we move towards next year’s Rugby World Cup, as a group we are constantly challenging ourselves to be better, to achieve greater consistency and clarity of decision-making. There is a great work ethic within the team, and we will continue to ensure that safety, speed and space are our priority.”

  • Click here to view appointments for the November Test window. 
  • Click here to view appointments for the RWC 2023 final qualification tournament in Dubai.
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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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