‘Best referee rugby has ever had’ – Tributes pour in as Wayne Barnes retires

Jared Wright
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Referee Wayne Barnes (Rugby Football Union) during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Uruguay at Stade de Lyon

Referee Wayne Barnes (Rugby Football Union) during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Uruguay at Stade de Lyon.

Wayne Barnes has announced that he has hung up his whistle as a match official in order to be closer to his family and pursue new ventures.

The record-breaking referee took charge of his 111th Test match in the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa, his last match.

Colleagues sing Barnes’ praises

The Englishman announced his retirement on Thursday afternoon, with pundits, fans, colleagues and players congratulating him on his career.

Ex-referee Nigel Owens congratulated Barnes, who ultimately broke most of Owens’ records, and welcomed him into retirement.

“Congratulations @WayneBarnesRef on a wonderful career and was always a pleasure on and off the field to work and be in your company. Welcome to the ex referee club enjoy a well earned retirement,” Owens posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Barnes’ colleagues hailed him as an inspiration and praised his work ethic in touching tributes.

“13 years working alongside this chap. An incredible ref, but more importantly, a great bloke. Here’s to the next chapter,” Luke Pearce wrote.

Christophe Ridley added: “His work ethic & preparation is unmatched, his desire to constantly improve is unmatched, his ability to build a team around him who will have each others back is unmatched. His records will rightly never be broken. Wayne Barnes is a legend & the person who has inspired me most.”

Karl Dickson wrote that Barnes was “An amazing referee and an amazing bloke” and added: “What a career and impact he had on so many.”

In a World Rugby statement, High-Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joel Jutge said: “Wayne’s ability to read and understand the game is second to none. He also embodies the passion, professionalism and dedication that was at the heart of a superb team of match officials at Rugby World Cup 2023.

“He is a credit to refereeing, a role model for those looking to pick up the whistle and has played a huge role in advancing match officiating standards on and off the field. I would like to wish Wayne. Polly and the family, the very best for the next chapter.”

“Best rugby referee of all time”

Journalists, pundits and fans were also quick to congratulate Barnes and wish him well in retirement.

“Wayne Barnes, the finest referee in rugby, bows out at the top. A fabulous career at the summit; his longevity testament to his excellence and resilience in the face of some truly heinous online abuse. Great that he’ll continue to help the next crop navigate these choppy waters,” Jamie Lyall wrote.

Broadcaster Sonja McLaughlan highlighted a key part of Barnes’ statement where he says that he will continue to advocate for referees.

Her post read: “‘I will continue to advocate for referees and their families….particularly as online abuse and threats have become far too regular for all those involved in the game.’ Not surprised this sentence is part of Wayne Barnes retirement statement.”

Journalist Charlie Morgan agreed with Sonja in another post.

“Just a Very Good Thing that Wayne Barnes is staying in the game as an advocate for referees and to support them. Awesome career and a positive influence on a lot of people,” Morgan posted.

Analyst Will Owen said that Barnes was the best referee of all-time.

“The reason why Wayne Barnes is the best rugby referee of all time is there’s always been absolutely no ego to the way he manages a game. Always put the players and the game he’s clearly so passionate about first. He will be missed,” Owen wrote.

And that sentiment was a common theme.

Sam Larner added: “Fair to say Wayne Barnes has been the best referee rugby has ever had. He has also managed to come across as supremely nice during the whole period and was the instigator of a lot of the good communication we now see among international refs. Go well in retirement!”

Next generation

Another added: “Wayne Barnes made the impossible job look do-able, and the game better than it often had any right to appear. Unless you’re one of those tiresome bores who seemingly demand every decision is perfect, and blame the ref entirely for your loss.”

Looking ahead, AP Cronje believes that Barnes has paved the way for the next generation of referees in England.

“Barnes retires at the top of his game, having refereed a World Cup final. Best ref in the game hangs up the whistle. Paved the way for the next round of English refs – who are, by some distance, the best refs in rugby,” he wrote.

And that has already proved to be the case as Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli was inspired by Barnes’ performance during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and the pair would go on to officiate together in 2023.

READ MORE: Wayne Barnes aims to tackle ‘abuse and online threats’ after retiring from refereeing

England Wayne Barnes