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'Immense': New Zealand Rugby pay tribute to newly retired referee Wayne Barnes
By Josh Raisey
New Zealand Rugby have paid tribute to Wayne Barnes after the referee announced his retirement this week just days after officiating the Rugby World Cup final.
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The 44-year-old oversaw his first ever World Cup final on Saturday as South Africa overcame the All Blacks 12-11 at the Stade de France, and had to brandish a yellow card on four occasions during the match, with All Blacks captain Sam Cane’s card being upgraded to a red by the bunker in the first-half.
In the wake of final, Barnes has been subjected to online abuse including death threats, which became an all too common theme during the World Cup with England’s Tom Curry and South Africa’s Cobus Reinach also experiencing the same treatment during the tournament. In his statement announcing his retirement, he said that he will strive to prevent this happening to other referees in the future.
He said: “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.”
Despite losing in the final, it was all class from New Zealand on social media, as they paid tribute to the 111-Test referee, saying his contribution to the game has been “immense”.
“Congratulations to Wayne Barnes,” NZR wrote on X. “Who has called time on his refereeing career. With a record-breaking 111 Test matches in the middle, Wayne’s contribution to the world game has been immense. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
This post from New Zealand was followed by the hashtag #RespectTheRef, which is important given everything that has expired this past week.
Congratulations to Wayne Barnes, who has called time on his refereeing career. With a record-breaking 111 Test matches in the middle, Wayne’s contribution to the world game has been immense. We wish him and his family all the best for the future. #RespectTheRef 🏉 pic.twitter.com/Ws7oBAbIdK
— New Zealand Rugby (@NZRugby) November 2, 2023
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ABs supporters are getting called all sorts of things following the final but it’s pretty clear that there are sour and vitriolic fans within every group. You can see it online. It was reported that this abuse happened following the SA v France game, too.
Let’s hope Luke Pearce is appointed to top matches. He and Pepyer were the only refs at the world cup to allow games to flow - including Barnes, the alleged victim.
Seeing as it’s such a slight on All Blacks fans, would it be possible to see evidence of the death threats? It has been suggested there are multiple not just one. If people are pointing fingers/making claims of the likes, to be fair, there must be rock-solid proof, so let’s have it.
What's rugby becoming with all this online abuse. Rugby is supposed to be a gentleman’s game played and supported by gentleman. Before people abuse refs or players they should try and be in the spotlight for 80 minutes under pressure not to make a mistake.
Bit late after they have abused him and his family, nothing gracious about the kiwi’s, sad to say. They all but forgot about Bryce Lawrence their statesman of a referee!! Thought Jeff Wilson says they had it in the bag, Not so great now. !!