Best one to ever attempt it! Veteran referee Wayne Barnes declared his retirement in an official statement.
On Thursday, November 2, rugby referee Wayne Barnes announced his retirement on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Barnes had officiated the Springboks vs. All Blacks 2023 Rugby World Cup final on Saturday in France.
ROUGH BYTES: REFEREE WAYNE BARNES’S RETIRED
After officiating five Rugby World Cups, twenty-six Six Nations games, three European Champions Cup finals, and ten Premiership Finals, Wayne Barnes said it was time to hang up his whistle. After declaring that he was leaving the field to spend more time with his wife, Polly, and his kids, he received praise from a number of rugby fans.
“I have witnessed some of the greatest rugby matches in history during the last 20 years. I have worked with some of the best coaches the game has ever produced and seen some of the best players in the world,” he remarked.
“I had the honor of officiating the Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and the Springboks, two of the greatest teams in sports, last Saturday. It is often said that you will know when it is time to retire, and for my family and me, this is unquestionably the right time,” Barnes continued.
The seasoned referee said in a statement that he will keep helping referees who come before him by working with the International Rugby Match Officials Association.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me, especially to Chris White, Tony Spreadbury, Brian Campsall, Nigel Yates, and Phil Keith-Roach. It’s been an amazing adventure,” Barnes said in the release.
With 111 Test matches between 2006 and 2023 under his extensive record book, Barnes also ends his career as the most-capped referee in Test history, according to Planet Rugby.
CLICK BELOW TO SEE SOME RUGBY FANS’ REACTIONS.
“Wayne, congrats on an amazing career! Always among the best referees rugby has ever seen, and a real gentleman! stated @BrendonWessels.
Warm regards, Wayne. It was always evident that you relished the game, the players, and the atmosphere. Nicely done. wrote @haribaldijones.
“You’ll be remembered as one of our generation’s best referees, not just for rugby but for all sports. “Congratulations on an incredible career, mate,” said @CIDERNELLY.
