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Tremendous reaction to referee Nigel Owens being gifted special golden whistle ahead of 100th Test
By Liam Heagney
Nigel Owens has been given a golden whistle to blow into when he becomes the first referee to take charge of 100 Test matches on Saturday night in Paris. The veteran official from Wales is set to officiate the Autumn Nations Cup meeting between France and Italy at the Stade de France.
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Owens refereed his first Test match 17 years ago when he was appointed for the clash of Portugal and Georgia in Lisbon in March 2003 and he has come a long way since then, surpassing some years back the previous record of 71 Test games held by retired South African referee Jonathan Kaplan.
He took charge of his 99th international when England beat Georgia at Twickenham on November 14 and his milestone 100th appearance has now been marked by the presentation to him of an inscribed golden whistle marking the occasion in Paris on Saturday.
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Prime Video Sport commissioned Acme Whistles to create a commemorative gold whistle and Owens was chuffed with their thought, tweeting: “A massive thanks to Prime Video Sport for these special edition Acme Whistles for my match on Saturday, France vs Italy. I’ll try not to blow it to much. It’s very much appreciated and means a lot.”
Owens’ stellar career enjoyed a 2015 pinnacle when he refereed the World Cup final featuring the All Blacks and Australia, and he comes into Saturday’s game with some interesting career statistics – the showing of 60 yellow cards and seven red in his 17-year stint as a Test game referee.
A massive thanks 🙏 to @primevideosport for these special edition @AcmeW for my match on Saturday @FranceRugby v @Federugby I’ll try not to blow it to much 😂😉. Diolch o galon, it’s very much appreciated and means a lot . pic.twitter.com/EVbs7BbyVw
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) November 25, 2020
France and Italy have had mixed luck with Owens in charge of their games, the French winning eleven of 23 matches and the Italians just three in eleven.
His 100th-game milestone has generated great reaction on Twitter with World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont, ex-England captain Will Carling, the Springboks and many more among those praising his unprecedented achievement.
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This weekend, @Nigelrefowens will become the first referee to take charge of 100 international matches.
Even non-rugby fans know Nigel for his wit, honesty and exceptional communication skills.
We're proud that he will pass this milestone in the #AutumnNationsCup. #FRAvITA pic.twitter.com/wJFuMUp9pb
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 27, 2020
A remarkable achievement by a remarable person who epitomises everything great about #rugby.
Nigel Owens resonates with people beyond the rugby environment, giving so much joy, inspiration and support to so many around the world.
Enjoy the big day @Nigelrefowens! pic.twitter.com/9xkdcd26TW
— Sir Bill Beaumont (@BillBeaumont) November 27, 2020
Nigel Owens will ref his 100th test this weekend.
Awesome achievement.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) November 27, 2020
History maker @Nigelrefowens set for a record 💯 international matches in charge this weekend in Paris: https://t.co/GYqCgwSN66
Llongyfarchiadau i un o'r dyfarnwyr mwyaf poblogaidd a llwyddiannus erioed 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/QlSJyJ5nBJ
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 27, 2020
England V Wales tomorrow, always special. But I just wanted to congratulate a very special Welshman on his achievement tomorrow of being in charge of 100 Test Matches. A quiet outstanding referee and an even greater man. Brilliant achievement @Nigelrefowens – dim ond gwych
— Will Carling (@willcarling) November 27, 2020
Incredible achievement!
Congratulations @Nigelrefowens 👏 https://t.co/Q0eyFNhxzm
— The RPA (@theRPA) November 27, 2020
🏈 @Nigelrefowens – one of our favourite Welshmen – will referee his 100th Test this weekend, a special achievement! Congratulations, Mister Ref!
🔗 https://t.co/76ALtXIMcv@WorldRugby @autumnnations pic.twitter.com/7WVrlgCs4V— Springboks (@Springboks) November 27, 2020
Congratulations and good luck to Mynyddcerrig's finest @Nigelrefowens ahead of his 💯th Test tomorrow 👏
Llongyfarchiadau mawr i Nigel Owens ar ddyfarnu ei 100fed gêm ryngwladol ym Mharis penwythnos yma! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/CdgV4tQfbS
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) November 27, 2020
What an achievement by @Nigelrefowens who is about to ref his 100th test match this weekend. Was the best Ref that I played or coached under. #communicator 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/BtyY5gGQrY
— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) November 27, 2020
Tributes paid to the late French and Argentinian greats, with a happier note reflection on referee Owens and his big day https://t.co/2i2UA9tvYw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 26, 2020
ALWAYS respect the referee 🙌
Watch three matches live on #Primevideo this weekend as the #AutumnNationsCup kicks off pic.twitter.com/JanVncow3Y
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 10, 2020
Watch this 👉Fun, interesting and poignant in-depth interview with @Nigelrefowens by @seanny202
ahead of Nigel's 100th test match this weekend https://t.co/0joC2VuYW6 #rugby via @worldrugby— dominic rumbles (@dominicrumbles) November 27, 2020
