Colin Newboult 05 Feb 2025 Wayne Barnes rubbishes Antoine Dupont complaints but sidesteps controversial Caelan Doris tackle Wayne Barnes discussed the big incidents from the opening round of the Six Nations. Six Nations
Louis Chapman Coombe 17 Jan 2025 Wayne Barnes plunges RFU into further crisis with damning open letter to referees Waynes Barnes has sent out a damning letter. England
Colin Newboult 27 Nov 2024 Wayne Barnes warns World Rugby of ‘dangerous territory’ after ‘breakdown’ switch hinders the attack Distinguished former Test referee Wayne Barnes is concerned that the current officiating may be favouring the defence. International
Colin Newboult 15 Nov 2024 Wayne Barnes praises Springboks ‘inventiveness’ despite Rassie Erasmus’ ‘calculated and vindictive attack’ on Nic Berry Wayne Barnes discusses how the Springboks are brilliant at exploiting the loopholes in the lawbook. South Africa
Jared Wright 22 Oct 2024 ‘Oh s***, I’m in trouble here’ – Wayne Barnes reveals secret heart surgery during the Rugby World Cup Wayne Barnes was initially diagnosed with atrial fibrillation back in 2009. Rugby World Cup
Alex Spink 18 Jul 2024 Wayne Barnes hails ‘trailblazer’ Hollie Davidson as history awaits in Springboks fixture Planet Rugby's Alex Spink gets the lowdown from Wayne Barnes on referee Hollie Davidson, who will make history in the Springboks v Portugal clash. International
Alex Spink 03 Jul 2024 Conrad Smith calls for ‘absolute respect’ for referees after ‘vile’ World Cup abuse The All Blacks great demands zero tolerance towards any abuse of referees. New Zealand
Alex Spink 24 Jun 2024 Wayne Barnes warns online trolls ‘things are changing’ as he strives to help other officials avoid the ‘crap’ he faced Former elite referee Wayne Barnes speaks to Planet Rugby's Alex Spink about his ongoing fight against online trolls, insisting "things are changing". Rugby World Cup
Jared Wright 23 May 2024 Henry Slade takes top prize at the Premiership Rugby Awards as England sensation rewarded The 2023/24 Award winners have been announced after thrilling Premiership regular season. Premiership
Colin Newboult 29 Feb 2024 Wayne Barnes’ verdict on Paolo Garbisi’s penalty miss as Nigel Owens admits France got ‘very lucky’ Former Test referees Wayne Barnes and Nigel Owens have delved fully into the incident at the end of Italy’s 13-13 draw with France in the Six Nations. Six Nations
Colin Newboult 29 Feb 2024 Wayne Barnes suggests changes to World Rugby to help ‘the game to flow more’ Former referee Wayne Barnes has his say on the officiating at the scrum and breakdown. Six Nations
Colin Newboult 12 Feb 2024 Wayne Barnes addresses controversial Six Nations incidents including the law that needs to go Former Test referee Wayne Barnes studies the controversial moments of the past Six Nations weekend, including George Ford's non conversion. Six Nations
Colin Newboult 05 Feb 2024 All Blacks coach blasts ‘disgusting’ abuse in wake of damning World Rugby report A World Rugby report revealed that 49 per cent of social media abuse is targeted at match officials. New Zealand
Colin Newboult 12 Dec 2023 Wayne Barnes sounds warning after referee punched by club president Wayne Barnes is worried about the increasing severity of referee abuse after an incident on Monday. England
Colin Newboult 05 Dec 2023 ‘Will you f*** off and retire’ – Wayne Barnes reveals the ‘constructive’ comments he once received from Steve Hansen Former Test referee Wayne Barnes has revealed some of the chats he had with ex-All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen during his distinguished career. New Zealand
Adam Kyriacou 05 Dec 2023 ‘Richie McCaw was fine by me’ – Wayne Barnes feels All Blacks legend’s cheating tag was ‘lazy’ Former referee Wayne Barnes has defended All Blacks legend Richie McCaw in his autobiography. New Zealand
Jared Wright 15 Nov 2023 Wayne Barnes weighs in on TMO debate and the ‘right way to improve’ rugby Wayne Barnes feels that the TMO bunker can 'improve rugby' and that football's VAR will get better. Rugby World Cup
Colin Newboult 15 Nov 2023 Sir Graham Henry’s ‘pretty s*****’ comment that made Wayne Barnes furious Wayne Barnes, who recently retired from refereeing, has taken aim at ex-All Blacks boss Sir Graham Henry in his autobiography, Throwing the Book. New Zealand
Colin Newboult 08 Nov 2023 ‘Getting worse’ – Wayne Barnes wants action after Rugby World Cup final death threats Wayne Barnes has revealed his hopes for rugby after he received a torrent of abuse following the World Cup final between All Blacks and Springboks. New Zealand
Colin Newboult 08 Nov 2023 Wayne Barnes almost quit ahead of Rugby World Cup after Rassie Erasmus criticism Wayne Barnes, who refereed the Rugby World Cup final, has revealed that he almost retired in November 2022 after taking charge of France v South Africa. South Africa
Lawrence Nolan 07 Nov 2023 Loose Pass: Saluting a trailblazing refereeing career and the Women’s game Loose Pass is here to delve into the major talking points in the sport. Loose Pass
Adam Kyriacou 06 Nov 2023 Former Ireland flanker slams ‘toxic culture’ on social media after Wayne Barnes death threats Former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan has slammed the "toxic culture" on social media. Rugby World Cup
Colin Newboult 03 Nov 2023 Nigel Owens calls for action after Wayne Barnes receives ‘disgraceful and unacceptable’ abuse Former Test official Nigel Owens has voiced his anger after Rugby World Cup final referee Wayne Barnes was subjected to online threats. Rugby World Cup
Colin Newboult 03 Nov 2023 New Zealand Rugby send classy message to Wayne Barnes after Rugby World Cup final fallout Following the fallout from the World Cup final, New Zealand Rugby have sent a nice message to Wayne Barnes, who has announced his retirement. New Zealand
Jared Wright 02 Nov 2023 Wayne Barnes aims to tackle ‘abuse and online threats’ after retiring from refereeing Wayne Barnes has announced his retirement from match officiating and his plans going forward. England
Jared Wright 02 Nov 2023 ‘Best referee rugby has ever had’ – Tributes pour in as Wayne Barnes retires Wayne Barnes has announced that he has hung up his whistle as a match official and the tributes have poured in for the retiring referee. England
Colin Newboult 30 Oct 2023 Wayne Barnes receives death threats in the wake of Rugby World Cup final Referee Wayne Barnes has been subjected to online abuse following the All Blacks v Springboks Rugby World Cup final, according to his wife Polly. Rugby World Cup
Colin Newboult 23 Oct 2023 Rugby World Cup final referee and match officials confirmed The Rugby World Cup final between All Blacks and Springboks will be overseen by an all-English team of officials, headed by Wayne Barnes. Rugby World Cup
