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It's not just Nigel: The other world class referee that's decided not to retire
Paul Dobson for Rugby 365: Two of rugby’s top referees, Nigel Owens of Wales, and Jaco Peyper of South Africa are not yet ready to hang up their whistles. There had been some talk that they were set to retire. Owens is 48 and was the oldest referee at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
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While Owens is nearing 50, Peyper is nearing 40 but, a lawyer by profession, has business involvement and a wife and two small daughters at home. And besides that the 2019 World Cup had been a disappointment. But both have confirmed that they will carry on refereeing, and top rugby will be pleased with the decisions.
Owens, who refereed the final of the 2015 World Cup and the astonishing semifinal between England and New Zealand in 2019, has a weekly column on WalesOnline. In it he spoke of his thoughts of retiring and then his firm decision to stay a referee. The lockdown caused by the coronavirus had given him time for thought.
He writes: “It’s been a horrible time for everybody in the country. Unable to go out for our day to day routines, let’s just say there has been plenty of opportunity to ponder quite a few things.
“I spoke in last week’s column about keeping busy on the farm, helping to deliver a baby calf – which was more stressful than even refereeing the World Cup final at Twickenham a few years back!
“But, like everyone else, I’ve also had time on my hands to think about the future.
“In my case, whether I would actually carry on refereeing.
“Deep down, I never really wanted to give it up just yet, but obviously there was the possibility [Six Nations match] France v England at the start of the Six Nations could have proven to be my last game as a referee.”
Then came the decision: “Well, having had phone conversations with the Welsh Rugby Union, they would like me to continue refereeing… and I’ve told them I would like to carry on as well.
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“So I will be continuing to do just that next season – that’s for sure.
“When next season actually starts, nobody knows. But I’ve made a decision that I won’t be finishing at the end of this season, whenever that ends too. I will be refereeing for at least one more year, maybe another after that as well.
“Whether that’s at international level, we just don’t know. That will be up to World Rugby, if they still want me. Hopefully they will. But I will carry on at domestic and European level at least – which ends the uncertainty in my own mind – and if I referee well in those games, hopefully, the Tests will follow.”
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Peyper is even more definite. He is going to be refereeing till 2023, which is the year of the next Rugby World Cup to take place in France.
Both Owens and Peyper are well aware that the level at which they referee is dependent on others – their national bodies in the first place and then World Rugby.
For Peyper 2019 was a disappointment.
He was in line for one of the World Cup semifinals but a bit of fun with exuberant Welsh supporters after he had refereed the quarterfinal match in which Wales had beaten France, ended in a photo on social media and a removal from a semifinal appointment – a decision by the organisers which most charitably can be described as controversial.
He admitted that being away from home for up to 180 days a year was hard. “There comes a time when packing your bags becomes too much. But if rugby’s your passion, you pack your bags and go.” But then the support had to be there, and he is grateful for the support he gets from his wife, Zenobia, and the continuing support of SA Rugby.
Referee Jaco Peyper posing with Welsh fans today… ????? #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/cl0JnhLgVm
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 20, 2019
In his business life, he is a consultant to the family firm Peyper Attorneys, manages a coffee shop in Bloemfontein and is involved in a catering business.
Owens owns a farm and is well known as a TV host and general personality. Both Owens and Peyper are highly experienced referees, both considered masters of their art.
Owens has refereed more Tests than anybody else in the history of the game – 76 in all. He has refereed more PRO14 matches than anybody else – 180 in all. He has refereed more European Cup matches than anybody else – 113.
Peyper, whose career is considerably shorter, has refereed well over 40 Tests, including the opening Test between the All Blacks and the B&I Lions in 2017, more Super Rugby matches than anybody else – 111 – and four finals amongst his many Currie Cup matches.
Age is not necessarily a barrier and should not be a bigger consideration than ability.
Comments on RugbyPass
A very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
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