#2. Wayne Barnes – New Zealand v France 2007 RWC
Many Kiwis still haven’t gotten over Barnes’ performance in the 2007 RWC quarter-final against France.
Barnes missed a clear forward pass from Damien Traille to Freddie Michalak in the lead up to a France try.
It led to the All Blacks’ earliest ever exit from a World Cup.
After New Zealand were knocked out of the quarter-final, Bebo profiles were created by some New Zealand fans dedicated to criticism, and abuse, of Barnes.
Comments on Bebo and other internet sites, including death threats and personal abuse, were condemned by the International Rugby Board and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark
Wayne Barnes facts:
- Barnes started playing rugby at the age of eight, and took up refereeing aged 15 with Gloucester & District Referees
- In 2001, at the age of 21, Barnes became the youngest referee ever appointed to the Panel of National RefereesIn 2001, at the age of 21, Barnes became the youngest referee ever appointed to the Panel of National Referees
- In January 2022, Barnes refereed his 250th premiership rugby match
- When not on the pitch or working with the England team, Barnes is a practising barrister
- In 2013, Barnes sent off Northampton captain Dylan Hartley for calling him “a fucking cheat”
Wayne Barnes: Toughest player to referee – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”
