Behind the Whistle: Q&A with Wayne Barnes

After his appearance on the show earlier this week Payno sat down with the brilliant Wayne Barnes to find out about the man behind the whistle. We find out his favourite ground and his childhood hero, if he still gets nervous and why Richie McCaw and John Smit are the best players he's refereed. We hear of a 'Tea Tour' around Samoa with the late great Peter Fatailofa (it wasn't tea they were drinking!) and about Wayne's love for musicals and amateur dramatics!
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[@katekormorant136]

how lovely is Wayne Barnes ♥

[@mikebrunet6386]

I played for london french avec other kiwis, the chairman waas Anton Lurot a fantastic larger than life character- he and Andre Treppel started London French in 1959.Anton Lurot died last year and around 250 of us went to the funeral then to his favorite pub for pints and lots of songs. Thanks Wayne, we enjoyed having you as our ref.

[@JeffBlackham]

Good couple of interviews these. Payno has such a nice interview manner as it really brought out a lot of great info and stories.

[@garykivell]

Comes across very well!

[@genghisthegreat2034]

I recall the extraordinary match that went far beyond 80 mins.

[@SpeakEnglishWithSimon]

Great interview! Alex on form and despite profaning Wayne Barnes’ name many a time, he comes across very well. One of GBR’s best interviews!

[@dougsaunders8109]

Great interview, Wayne top bloke

[@raystephens1142]

I’ve just refereed a game under the roof at the Millenium…so when I’m driving home in my…Vauxhall Insignia, I’ll listen to some Wham! and Spandau Ballet. Very Rugby. Great listen.

[@Dedbeatz.]

He comes across as a really decent human being. Best of luck this weekend. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪😎

[@thewarden9608]

So important to give refs an opportunity to be viewed as humans. Wayne comes across great here.

[@philipebbrell2793]

A Class Act

[@elizabethleiper2664]

enjoyed getting to know Wayne Barnes as a 'human'..I rate him & Ben O'Keeffe as 2 of the best on the world circuit

[@oneday458]

While the non-call will not be forgotten in NZ- all has been forgiven. I think the best thing WR did was send him here the following year to referee a lower grade match and an NPC game- yes he got some stick but he held his head high and got on with it, as did the players. He got good reviews after. In 2016 before the 2nd test v Wales (where he was running touch) he visited a Welsh bar in Wellington. He signed the visitors book and in the comments section wrote "What pass?" The comment made it to media along with a photo of the comment. The story was presented in a humorous way - in keeping with the spirit it was made. I don't think he could have made a more perfect comment - anyone reading it had to laugh, and many did. Great to see he's gone on to do so well. He might get some cheek here still, but its more like what a pantomime villain would get, most of it kind spirited. I'd love to have a beer with him at a karaoke bar.

[@jandreneethling5664]

From a South African.. Wayne Barnes.. What a Gent! Springbok Steak grown bastards is probably his worst nightmare as a vegetarian.. But he still referees as he sees it.. Well done Sir!

[@bobbell4461]

really nenjoyed that. Wayne Barnes comes across as a really nice fella.

[@hughjanus2020]

Lovely geezer.

[@samandsadieh5049]

Wonderful Q&A, the point about not knowing where he’s going to be in advance must be so tough on the family.

[@hamishfleetwood4386]

Thank you Wayne

[@twambamman]

Despite the fact referees (in most sports), are booed by spectators... Rugby is one of the few sports, where if the referee is seen in a Pub, post game... he'd have drinks bought for him, and he'll be respected, and he/she will be seen as a human being. Personally, Rugby referees should be used as examples to ALL sports, in terms of the dynamic of respect between player, fan, and referee.

[@robjones790]

I used to coach rugby for Dauntsey’s School and we had a Daily Mail Knockout game against a Forest of Dean School back in 97. We had heard they were pretty ‘physical’ and turned up with some trepidation. Met a very young (19 I think) ref all dressed in white. I was somewhat worried until the game started. The ref was outstanding, a different level to the other society refs I had seen.. and I am pretty sure it was a young Wayne Barnes. The penny only dropped a couple of years ago when I found out he was from the a Forest of Dean. I would love to know if it was him!

[@andreemurray7039]

Great interview

[@conrad152]

What a nice man.

[@GoodBadRugby]

Grab your GBR merchandise here: www.goodbadrugby.com

[@nathanrobinson6571]

Yea top man I thought he was a knob but it’s funny how you judge someone and get it all wrong. Top man I wish you well 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@normanmcdermid1951]

I believe that Wayne Barnes is a very good referee.

[@seaniodedudemolloy3871]

Top man

[@martinedgar8743]

Sign him up to The Good The Bad & The Rugby

[@essexplodder9796]

womder what waynes view on the standard of refs in the womens game, to me it can be pretty much like the mens, some very good ones & some who need to go back to ref school

[@gkmarais]

Are you a professional? Don't professionals take criticism? Players lose their careers through criticism. Why does Rassie get banned for a year criticizing you refs? Yet there is no consequence to your mistakes?

[@georgepatterson3428]

Rassie wasn’t banned simply for criticising a referee. He was banned for the manner in which he conducted his criticism.

[@joelhickman9158]

Too much whining about trolls. Stop giving them so much attention and you might receive less of it.

[@ElliotG89]

you think that in todays society, staying silent about that type of thing instead of calling these people out on large platforms is going to make them go away?

[@patrickchilds2987]

@Joel So you think that sending death threats to a ref and his family should be condoned and ignored .interesting

[@thomasluke980]

@@patrickchilds2987 Wayne is a cheat !

[@patrickchilds2987]

@Thomas Luke Wayne Barnes isn't a cheat because a few decisions went against the Boks . Nor is sending his family death threats acceptable either. Grow up and give yourself an uppercut

[@thomasluke980]

@@patrickchilds2987 he is cheat ! This is not the first time he has cheated South Africa ! This is pattern ! He talks about using TMO especially for big decisions but he did not use the TMO for the last French try ?? Why ? Why didn’t he ? If he had the try would have been disallowed and the Boks would have won ! Wayne is a cheat and hypocrite!

[@thomasluke980]

Wayne should be ashamed of himself. He is a disgrace !

[@patrickchilds2987]

OK Karen

[@thomasluke980]

@@patrickchilds2987 great post 👍

[@georgepatterson3428]

Why?

[@beanzieobeanz2955]

decent human, decent law practitioner, no bottle under pressure with a whistle, a victory for form over substance