Wayne Barnes – Rugby’s Refereeing Poster Boy
Posted by MyLaowai on Sunday, October 7, 2007
Referee Profile
Full name: Wayne Barnes
Born: Gloucestershire, 20 April 1979
First Test: Fiji vs Samoa on 24 June 2006
Latest Test: Wales vs France on 26 August 2007
Number of Tests: 8
Profession: Barrister
World Cup experience: None
Wayne Barnes is the youngest and least experienced of the Elite-level referees, having refereed just 8 tests. I’m not saying that Mr Barnes is anything less than honest. I am merely suggesting that some more experience at the highest level of the game might have been a good thing, particularly in light of the number of poor decisions made in his most recent game, the game that cost the worlds’ greatest side the World Cup. In the very apt words of Hamish McBrearty:
Although the All Blacks played badly and did not deserve to win, the worst performance of the night came from referee Wayne Barnes. The sin-binning of McAlister was comical and perhaps cost the All Blacks the match, and somehow all three officials missed an obvious forward pass leading up to Jauzion’s try.
McAlister was shown a yellow card in the 46th minute for taking out a French player who was chasing a kick. Replays, even at full speed, showed McAllister turning to chase the kick and Jauzion running into his back.
Of course, this is what a certain other media commentator had to say on the subject:
Fantastic! Sheer fantasy! Amazing Saturday went spirally upwards into fantasy! There has never been a day like it in World Cup rugby.
Whether France deserved to win or not, doesn’t matter one iota.
I’ll let you figure out for yourselves where that twat guy comes from…
I’m off for a drink.
Wo Shi Laowai - Wo Pa Shui 
Michele McBlain said
I couldnt have said it better as I drown my sorrows *sniff*
Sean said
Conspiracy theories – No!
Incompetent – Obviously!
Wonder if we’ll see him referee in NZ in a hurry? Lol Lol Lol!
Sean said
Loss aside – go France!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GDJ said
U are right – he is a shocking referee!!!! After the SA vs Tongo game I though he was going to be banished to some far away desolute island. Quite frankly, the quality of referreing at this world cup has been abysmal. Alan Lewis in the SA vs Fiji game also missed a good game – according to him the new high tackle law is only penalisable above the eyebrows – what a joke!!!! Sadly, the decision has been made and there is nothing anyone can do about it. I am just relieved that Suzi has not been blamed for this loss!!!! By the way, Barnes also missed the forward pass that led to the AB try but there has not been any comments about that. AB supporters, get over it – I expect the guys from that teeney, weeney island and the guys from the much bigger island to behave like this but not the AB supporters.
MyLaowai said
Fair call, GDJ: what has happened, has happened.
The All Blacks cannot now be tournament winners, but all their supporters need to show that they can be good losers. It was disgraceful they way it happened, but c’est la vie and all that. None of us can change it now.
Hamish said
Wow, here I am trying to find out how many tests Wayne Barnes had controlled for an article and I find the answer I want and myself quoted on the same page. Keep up the good work on the blog!
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