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The best referee in the world won't be in charge of a match this weekend - but what does that mean for the World Cup final?
When Nigel Owens and Jérôme Garcès were announced as the referees for this weekend’s World Cup semi-final matches, fans understandably had reservations.
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Yes, Owens is one of the best in the business – but where was Wayne Barnes, the man who many consider to now be the top referee in the world?
Barnes hasn’t entirely been left out of proceedings – he has been tasked with running the sidelines for Garcès in Sunday’s match between Wales and South Africa.
The full referee team for Sunday’s game includes Garcès as the head referee, Barnes and Ben O’Keefe as his assistants and Ben Skeen as TMO.
Saturday’s match between England and New Zealand will be controlled by Owens with Romain Poite and Pascal Gaüzère on the sidelines and Marius Jonker in the TMO box.
Why then, did Garcès get the top job ahead of Barnes?
Looking back at the 2015 World Cup, the referees tasked with handling the final and the 3rd/4th playoff weren’t given full control of proceedings for the semi-finals.
Owens, who refereed the final between New Zealand and Australia, and John Lacey, who handled the bronze decider between South Africa and Argentina, were instead utilised as assistant referees in the week prior.
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Notably, Owens, as well as Barnes and Garcès – who handled 2015’s semis – were all given the whistle for the last Word Cup’s quarter-final games too. The other quarterfinal ref, Craig Joubert, came under plenty of his criticism for his performance in the fixture between Australia and Scotland – which probably explains why Lacey was brought in for the final stages of the tournament.
So, what can we glean from all this?
Chances are the four quarterfinal refs would have been given the whistle for the semis, final and 3rd/4th playoff. That means that Wayne Barnes will almost certainly be one of the men in the middle next weekend – in whichever game England aren’t playing in.
Determining the other referee is a bit more difficult. Jaco Peyper’s ‘indiscretion’ (if you can even call it that) may have robbed the South African of a chance to referee on the big stages next week.
Steve Hansen's made a change to the @AllBlacks – to counter the big English pack, perhaps? https://t.co/h3ECNWsPA5 #RWC2019 #ENGvNZL #AllBlacks
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 24, 2019
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That leaves the door open for the likes of Owens and Garcès, but as World Rugby may again choose to bring in a referee who wasn’t handed a major role in the quarter-finals.
If England are in the final and Barnes isn’t selected, however, then it would be a rash move from World Rugby to hand the whistle to someone who wasn’t deemed of one of the four best referees at the World Cup. Errors in the bronze playoff aren’t going to set too many tongues wagging, but a muck-up in the grand final would be disastrous.
Given the above, don’t be surprised to see either Owens or one of the tournament’s French referees take over for the biggest rugby match of the four-year cycle.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was pleased to have Nigel Owens in charge of New Zealand’s quarter-final fixture with Ireland:
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments