Wayne Barnes at his glorious BEST! | Referee Grand Master

[@headintheclouds6935]

1:59 "I think he spoke French I don't think he understood that properly" that's some great defence there by the captain hahaha

[@heretic9344]

That red card for Hartley in that prem final was one of the most satisfying cards I think I’ve ever witnessed.

[@tommcglone2867]

Oh yes. Hes always been a prat. And how he was the captain for both club *AND COUNTRY* is beyond me. *YOU NEVER, EVER, EVER SPEAK TO A REFEREE LIKE THAT. EVER.*

[@OrangeNerd1]

There will always be questions about decisions made and what ifs, but no doubt Wayne Barnes is one of the best refs of all time, anyone who disagrees is blinded by bias

[@Cathal-OBoyle]

100% mate! No one should ever be subject to the type of abuse he received! He’s human! The system failed him not he failed the system!

[@ulaca1]

Any country that produced Grant Nesbitt, Murray Mexted and Ian Smith must know a thing or two about bias…

[@SomeBritishGal1]

I think he's a bit egotistical sometimes but he's still a great ref

[@ulaca1]

@@SomeBritishGal1 He's not as funny as he'd like to think he is, but, sure, top ref. Let down by a touch judge once, as I seem to remember.

[@SomeBritishGal1]

@@ulaca1 The only big decision of his I disagree with is sending off Dylan Hartley at Twickenham. It's a Premiership final, emotions and tensions are high and sometimes we say things we don't mean to and Barnes acted as if Hartley ran up to him and shouted in his face. It's a sin bin, but not a straight red.

[@animekawaiichan9399]

Wayne Barnes had an OUTSTANDING career. He's in my opinion 2nd in the top 10 best referee in World Rugby no doubt.

[@AndrewDavidForde]

Who would you have as number one out of interest?

[@animekawaiichan9399]

@@AndrewDavidForde Nigel Owens of course! LMFAO!

[@kelbatt7729]

Not if you are an ALL Black Fan- Refereed All Blacks to more Test losses than every other international Referee of his time combined, over 40% of Tests lost by NZ with Barnes as Ref- far higher than any other Referee! .

[@joelwhitaker2274]

@@kelbatt7729 Because he saw the All Blacks cheating and dealt with it without being swayed.

[@matthewshepherd5390]

​@@AndrewDavidForde how is that even a question 😂

[@tsoiboy4073]

The restraint shown in not giving Billy a yellow after every conversation is remarkable. What a disrespectful way to deal with refs.

[@retrojoes9610]

Just goes to show though that Rugby Referees aren't as strict as people might say...I was taught growing up in high school that even if you were to speak to the referee in rugby and say "What's that for?" It'd be a straight yellow card...some rugby refs operate like that but I think for the most part they try and keep as many players on as possible and do understand the emotional side of it, for example in that bust up at the start of the video Wayne says "Don't worry, I've just come in to join in the cuddle" 🤣 perfect way to calm things down because it'll add some humour and light heartedness to the situation and then they can get on with the game.

[@BlueYorick]

Wayne Barnes, if you are by any chance reading this, I want to thank you for everything that you have done for this sport. It is a damn shame that people are harassing you and your family after everything you have done.

[@PocketRugby]

An outstanding referee and an excellent example for everyone about the values and love of rugby! Great video as per usual :)

[@marvlombard887]

What I learnt from this is that you don't call the ref a F**king cheat 😂

[@colloquialsoliloquy6391]

Always liked him ,for his unwavering authority , and preference for blunt explanations over grandstanding. The Collina of rugby.

[@max05_13]

i think that has to go to nigel but hes outstanding either way

[@conoron6338]

“I’m a grown ass man” as he gets led away. Scarlet for Billy every time I see that clip.

[@jonnybaynham1689]

Brilliant refereeing. No referee gets every decision right. Rugby is an extensive lawbook with so many changing rules and referees are the ones turned on first when decisions dont go someones way. Accountsbility is important but more and more its going the way of abuse. Just look at one or two odd ones in this comment section. Barnes was very clear to players, embodied the ethos to let the game run smoothly, and explained his rationale to players. Not always right, but no one ever will be. Yet he seemed incredibly likeable and well respected by players, coaches, and most reasonable fans. Thats quite something for a referee.

[@andrewp1075]

Wayne Barnes was a brilliant ref, who wasn't afraid to make big calls in big games. I'm sure he didn't get every call right, but I always felt everything was done with fairness and integrity for the game.

[@bkitch5755]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@kelbatt7729]

His win/loss ratio when he reffed NZ was an anomaly. NZ lost 40% more matches when he reffed them.

[@andrewp1075]

@@kelbatt7729 Exactly....other weaker refs caved into NZ's administration, players, culture, similar to how English refs would cave into Man Utd during the Fergie days. Barnes was made of sterner stuff and penalized them for all the cheating they'd get away with from the weaker refs....so not an anomaly just NZ finally got reffed properly .

[@andrewhughes9278]

@@andrewp1075 100% right

[@zinzincoetzee1934]

​@@kelbatt7729 Bro they destroyed you!!!😭😭😭

[@munga1111]

I think Barnes has one of the best character progressions in rugby, when he first became an international standard referee, he made poor decisions, mistakes and was often hesitant and temperamental- as a Wales fan I despised him. He has steadily improved throughout his long career to become the best, he is an excellent communicator and rarely gets things wrong, and when he does make mistakes he will hold his hands up or correct himself. He is truly world class and a proper gent. Obviously learnt a lot from Nigel..

[@joelcain7243]

Perfect example of an outstanding refree. Understanding safety, player mentality and Rugby law. One of the GOATs of the sport when it comes to being an ref. Thanks for the games Barnes!

[@DoubleWavedYellows]

1:48 Good night, good luck, goodbye! Totally the right call from Wayne, and love the commentary for that!

[@hpmmiggie]

Excellent video buddy, and respect for putting the time for this bloody ref. He deserves some real credit.

[@matthewwardle4261]

Absolute quality. Always clear with his decisions and concise instructions and explanations to players. Always about the game and not about him. Good luck in your retirement. I’d have him in the IRB to look at changes in laws, trials etc.

[@ElliotG89]

Always felt that first clip should've been a card for Vunipola. Nonetheless, a wonderful referee and a poignant reminder that social media comments have consequences that can stretch wider than we can realise.

[@jonnybaynham1689]

Barnes was fair there. Pearce has dealt well with Billy too by marching him 20 metres. Billy needs to stop with the attitude and focus on his play

[@timrthoward7007]

@@jonnybaynham1689 his world cup performance... Jesus wept

[@emmettculleton7165]

When he first came on the rugby Seen, I didn’t like him, but I grow to like him more and more before he retired. Good luck in retirement.

[@callumgardiner996]

Not the biggest Wayne Barnes fan but he didn’t cost the ABs the final and absolutely did not deserve the abuse he received. Sad that his career had to end the way it did because he’s a remarkable referee.

[@MorAodhan]

Yes he hid, he and his team were appalling. It's funny because the AB fans knew what would happen when he was appointed. He's public enemy no.1 over there and has been for many years. Social media death-threats are weird, but he deserves criticism.

[@DJjaza88]

​@@MorAodhanweird? More like completely unacceptable

[@McDJNomi]

I actually really liked him. But his performance the entire WC wasnt really good at all. He wanted to have a more fluid game and let a lot of stuff go. But that actually slowed the game down with as Boks and Ireland targeting to slow down every single Ruck by all means necessary. And theyd get a way with it... it slowed the game and ruck speed down so much. Because they figured Barnes out... He didnt need to whistle straight away but atleast warn them not to do that stuff again. Also he gifted SA 3 points while the penalty shouldve been the other way around. but no, he shouldnt get death threats!!! It wouldve been nice for him to whistle the final in 2019 he was one of the best refs at that time, but obviously he wasnt allowed to. But getting it in 2023 was a poor decision after a poor tournament. And yes the red card was the ABs own fault. But they still were the better team, and with a different ref, they wouldve probably won it (though it depends on who wouldve replaced him, he wasnt a bad ref, there were so many worse. he was just not good this WC)

[@LaChartre]

Criticism for what? I’m genuinely confused by the reaction of Kiwis. They’ve had the ref in their pocket for years and because THEY threw their own game, they turn around and blame the ref?

[@ungarr]

@@LaChartreCriticism for admitting to Ardie Savea he shouldn’t have penalised him while Hannibal was lining up what was ultimately the winning kick. Not following rugby laws, the law book clearly states TMO can only go back 2 phases prior to a try being scored but scrubbed out Smith’s try when the TMO went back 5 phases. No penalty for de Klerk not feeding the scrum at the end and I could go on. The current laws are bad enough without the ref making it up as he goes along

[@davecap2641]

What a better game football would be if players and referees showed the respect for each other that happens in Rugby.

[@StoneDragon673]

I now understand what Wayne Barnes’ legacy will be: -Being the first to send of a player in a final (The Gallagher premiership and The World Cup)

[@richieb6273]

The look on Dylan Hartley's face never gets old. Love it.

[@jacqueskirchner4147]

He is fast becoming as immense as Nigel....Great ref indeed!

[@rothnieoosthuizen3728]

He's retired now, so no more "becoming".

[@tedstanford3121]

Great Video as ever Andrew, we will miss Wayne when the Six Nations starts, which im very excited about as an England fan.

[@kisslas]

4:40 "To make it really clear: you come and ask for a yellow card, you get one. Understand?"

[@TGDarwell]

Personally, (and maybe in biased because I'm English) I think he's the best to ever do it

[@paulterry1335]

He was one of the best 👊🏉

[@fortcarillon615]

I am French and i agree......Wayne Barnes and Nigel Owen are the best referees !!!!!!

[@darraghtormey1500]

A fitting tribute to one of the games very best officials. His diligence regarding player safety was second to none. Shame on all the keyboard cowards spewing their bile about him.

[@jonathanalty2478]

I feel so bad for Wayne Barnes. These threats that people are giving referees players and their families. I am South African. I’m sorry for the French. We beat you by one point. I’m sorry for the English that we beat you by one point. I’m sorry to all blacks that we beat you up by one point. if it hadn’t been the other way around? This was not the players, this was not the referees. This is rugby. It goes that way. Not only is it a fantastic sport, but at the end you get to shake your oppositions hand. But this manis giving his best to the sport. I’ve heard he’s going to retire because of the threats. This is so wrong.

[@TreacleMary]

The Hartley red card was a real turning point for Barnes. His perception went from being a slightly pompous bore to defender of the values and integrity of Rugby, no matter how big the call. A true legend.

[@davewilson9738]

Wayne Barnes is a bloody close second to another legend Nigel Owens. Barnes is a genuinely great referee.

[@headintheclouds6935]

2:02 telling the ref he hasn't got the balls to send you off may be the stupidest thing I have ever heard of...

[@jonnybaynham1689]

he didn't say that from what I heard. He got sent off for shouting at Barnes 'I got the f**ing ball' i.e. he turned the ball over and is yelling at Barnes

[@GGdoogie]

Simon Pegg with a whistle

[@MaxWaster]

One of the greats 👏

[@zagreus101]

"you can't kick it out. You CANT kick it out. YOU CANT kick it OUT. Well now you've kicked it out."

[@henryburton6529]

The best to ever do it IMO. The final was arguably the greatest reffing performance of all time.

[@oliverjenner9251]

Im going to dispute both your points. best ever is not Barnes, its Nigel Owens. if the final you refer to was the RWC final then your delusional. The Greatest reffing performances are where you barely notice them, not where they become such a major and visible factor

[@Vanskii]

@@oliverjenner9251Your opinion brother

[@oliverjenner9251]

@@Vanskii your welcome to offer your own opinion or dispute mine. i gave my opinion and my reasons behind it and why i disagree with the original comment

[@rothnieoosthuizen3728]

​@@oliverjenner9251I agree with your take that Owens was the best. However your position that a ref should not be noticed, invites some questions. In 2007, Barnes missed one forward pass and we've been hearing about it ever since. In 2023, he came back to a missed knock on, this is apparently not correct either, because now we notice him too much. Folks need to either make peace with the 2007 performance, or with the 2023 one. One cannot argue against both and be logically consistent. A positive, in 2023 the correct decisions were made, so there's a move in the right direction imo.

[@henryburton6529]

@@oliverjenner9251 I liked Owens a lot but he wasn't as consistently good as Barnes, in my opinion. The RWC final was arguably the biggest ever game of rugby. There were a lot of very difficult decisions and very contentious moments he got them ALL right under intense pressure. Given how difficult THAT game of rugby was to referee he was absolutely incredible. Watch it back, the amount of really tricky spots he was in was unreal.

[@jonathanalty2478]

What a great referee. I still feel sad for them for how he left refereeing. The threats against his family, un just. a not nice end to wonderful men and a wonderful career.

[@golfhacker9051]

Why can't we have Refs like this in Football (soccer) So smart, thinking always watching and never corrupt.

[@sammysteel7449]

Brilliant ref

[@KwizatsHaderach8]

Best ref of all time (dead heat with Nigel Owens JMHO). There was also that English bloke Chris White sometime ago who was great and didn't ref enough of the our SH games. Also really liked Glen Jackson, who's career was far too short (of his own volition).

[@charlottescott7150]

Great compilation

[@effkay3691]

Rugby must be the only game in the world where the officials continuously coach the players on how to play the game 😂

[@michaelchampion3056]

One of Histories best Refs

[@cirkelshorts]

2:15 says calm refeering, and he immediately yells at them

[@richardhall206]

Waynes Barnes is a top bloke. Always did a lot behind the scenes for rugby. Wish him all the best in his next ventures.

[@barryoffeastenders]

Billy Vunipola’s such a child 🤦‍♂️

[@markholmes6831]

Rugby stories are so entertaining!

[@andypandywalters]

What a shame footballers don't show the same level of respect to referees.....

[@Funkopopsstorewalkthroughsunbo]

As a scarlets supporter bye bye Wayne Barnes old man

[@Hammersteyn]

But WaYNe BarNEs COsT Nz teH fiNAl 😂😂

[@mathewjones5520]

Nigel Owens best test match referee to date, jog on fella

[@davidowen7793]

Brilliant 👍

[@davidhand312]

I still remember that forward pass he missed.

[@josephlarmor550]

“Pas ma problem” he says to the French. It should be “Pas mon problème”, no wonder they didn’t understand

[@Findaz24]

He got overshadowed by Nigel Owens but he was still very brilliant

[@johnmarshall6629]

He was at his best after he retired .

[@jaimedavies5931]

He's a bit like Mace Windu. Nigel Owens is Yoda

[@steveclarke3809]

had a great career, but will unfortunately be remembered for a few howlers in big matches

[@tomattwell4867]

can you please do a tribute video to wayne barnes as he is now retired

[@streef88]

The ONLY game in the world where respect is real...

[@nickthefox72]

I hope we do see new characters in rugby but we won’t see the likes of Wayne and Nigel Owens again sadly

[@Gilgamezsh72]

Great video sir

[@hashtag_thisguy]

Nay par my problem... That's uo there with my French😂

[@Srioll]

The only thing I don't like about Wayne Barnes is that he can't referee our (England's) matches.

[@patrickporter1864]

Do English premier rugby players even understand the rules of the game. It seems they do not and the coaches do not explain changes to them.

[@RacqDar]

Quality.

[@jean-michel.a]

Great

[@kurtstoutz]

I made a rude comment about mister Barnes and I apologize mister Wayne Barnes I'm sorry please forgive me sir.

[@Simon-jj2pu]

Abolsute quality ref

[@NoahHammond-y1j]

is my bro kiwi

[@notmenotme614]

Physios and Water carriers who get removed from the game are lucky not to lose their job. What’s the point in having them if they can’t come on the pitch?

[@dermotshaw5722]

So many delusional people hahaha

[@asdf2593]

reddit mod

[@hunterdavie4398]

People under an hour 👇

[@nicoleflee]

Wayne Barnes sucks because I’m all blacks fans

[@MrOlivergorman]

Billy vunipola is so dislikable

[@joeosullivan6534]

The death threats were off. But you can hardly blame the NZ public for not rating him. He missed the worst and most crucial forward pass in world cup history. Even Barnes himself has admitted that. The Savea penalty in 2023 was up there too but who knows what would of happened if he called that correctly... SA might have won by more

[@nicholaswhite3811]

The forward pass you refer to was only evident after several slow motion replays. The fault very clearly lies with New Zealanders missing easy tackles.

[@joeosullivan6534]

@@nicholaswhite3811 Dude i'm talking about the 07 QF - it was over 45 degrees fwd! The commentators & anyone with eyes saw it in real time...

[@guymasters8918]

The Dylan Harrtley red card was a mistake. Wayne allowed his emotions to get the better of him. Whatever you think of Dylan he was never so stupid to think he could accuse the ref of being a cheat and stay on the field.

[@DAILARNER]

I think I believe the ref, Hartley did a lot of things that got him well-deserved red cards, he knew this actions were stupid too

[@STEOKEO]

The World Cup final in 2023 was an officiating disgrace.

[@AndrewDavidForde]

@@STEOKEO I thought he was brilliant!

[@jamesbenjamin8078]

The problem with Barnes is that he was clearly anti-French……..many, many inexplicably bad decisions against French sides, be it the national side or French clubs in Europe. As a side issue, he’s an intelligent man and yet he refused to learn any degree of French. For example he spent matches shouting “haut jour” (meaning nothing, literally high day), rather than “hors jeux” (offside). The argument that “he made an effort” is simply not good enough at the elevated level he was reffing.

[@vulture3874]

I was bored at work so I looked up the stats. To my knowledge, Wayne Barnes has refereed the French national team on eleven occasions: 2007 - RWC Refs a French win over NZ 20 - 18 2010 - 6N Refs a 33 - 10 win over Ireland. 2011 - 6N Refs a 34 - 21 win over Scotland. 2012 - 6N Refs a 23 - 17 win over Scotland. 2015 - 6N Refed a loss to Ireland 18 - 11. 2016 - 6N Refed a loss to Wales 19 - 10. 2017 - 6N Refed a 20 - 18 win against Wales. 2018 - 6N Refed a 34 - 17 win over Italy. 2019 - 6N Refed a loss to Wales 24 - 19. 2020 - 6N Refed a 34 - 27 win over Ireland. 2023 - 6N Refed a loss to Ireland 32 - 19. Seven wins, four losses. Of course there may be other international games I have missed but that seems fairly unbiased. For full disclosure, in my brief check I must admit I didn't see any evidence to show that Jacyo Pieper or Angus Gardiner don't speak Italian.

[@jamesbenjamin8078]

@@vulture3874 poor you……..you seem to lead a rather boring life, my sympathies

[@vulture3874]

@@jamesbenjamin8078 You're very kind Jamie, but really, it was no trouble. You see, I already had most of the information (and it is readily available) from an answer I put together from another commenter complaining about his alleged bias towards Ireland*. So your comment intrigued me; biased against both Ireland and France? I was surprised it was so easy to refute.** I suppose I could look up his records with Wales, but we both know how that's going to turn out, eh Jamie? Scotland? Frankly I lived there for thirty years, so I don't much care. Then there's Italy, but I think we can agree that they're so bad that they'd struggle to win 6N games even with a ref called Vito Corleone. As for my life, I'm good thanks Jamie. You know as little of me, as I do of you. Except, of course that you are the sort of person to double down on an inaccurate statement with a petty, ill-constructed insult. # *Also tripe by the way. **It's almost as if you didn't check. # I would never do that. Mr Poopy pants .😋

[@jamestaylor5417]

@@jamesbenjamin8078LOL! This guy pulls accusations out of his arse with no data to back it up. Then when someone actually does the research that proves him wrong, he just responds condescendingly. Just a bit of advice for when you start secondary school next year pal.. your opinion isn’t fact, and it won’t get you through life.

[@jamesbenjamin8078]

@@jamestaylor5417 calm down chap…….”research” on results says nothing of bias, merely results. How do you two geniuses know from this “research” that Barnes is not biased against French sides. Everyone in France understands this (cue Brexit-based racism against France)

[@ianmclaren2354]

Sorry but was Wayne Barnes not in charge of the 2007 RWC Quarter Final where France won on maybe the most blatant forward pass of all time? I will confess I was very surprised that the IRB ever let him work a match again.

[@nicholaswhite3811]

That try was scored because 15 All Blacks missed tackles, not because the referee missed a very slight forward pass that only became evident after several slow motion repeats. May be the correct outcome would be none of the New Zealanders play again for woeful tackling.

[@IIIIIlIIl]

Wayne trash Barnes

[@jamesbenstead1006]

I hope Wayne Barnes stays in rugby

[@howzat95]

Wayne Barnes is a arrogant pick.

[@timlewis5096]

This bloke is one of the main reasons I no longer support rugby. He seems only interested in making the game all about him!!! Add this to the decisions made by world rugby rulers and the game has gone to the dogs of big business. No longer a sport for the masses. Enjoy what is left you people

[@robglen897]

The worst of the worst.

[@darrenstanners7195]

for the sake of a flowing game rugby is better without him.........zero personality

[@jamesbenstead1006]

Wayne Barnes is a god.

[@adrandavies170]

so many bad decisions, so happy to see him retire, awful ref

[@barrysamson5139]

Can't see a forward pass and won't refer back for a play. Not impressed.

[@russelldevlin2241]

He's a bell end

[@EqualCompSolution]

fuck

[@travisuplinger7767]

I think he's from south Africa the way he blew the world cup final

[@doghouseriley4732]

Without a shadow of a doubt one of the worst international referees I have ever seen. I have relatives in NZ that are involved in the game and they cannot believe that he became England's number one ref.

[@kevinkelly4822]

Worst ref to ever touch rugby, rugby is a better place now he is gone

[@sl1cc1x40]

Salty is it

[@benderx8837]

worst ref to take field

[@stephenburke5967]

By far the worst referee ever.

[@zinzincoetzee1934]

best*😂💔

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

Appalling referee. Never understood the scrum, and always rewarded the side appealing the most. It's not soccer, Wayne!

[@MorAodhan]

Doesn't deserve a homage imo. I never feel he'll get big calls correct when he's reffing. And that's what matters, I don't care about his discipline or mediation with players. *Edit: Half of it comes from rugby's **_'new-look'_** rules that are ruining the game, but men like Barnes who've never played a proper game of rugby in their lives add to the problem as they can never apply vital and necessary context. Death-threats are weird and have no place. But the fact he's tucked-tail and retired says a lot about the man and the courage of his convictions.*

[@nicholashall4383]

Shame he saved his worst till last and ruined a world cup.