Speaking to the Wales Online rugby pages, Wales’ Nigel Owens has indicated that he has no immediate plans to retire from refereeing. Given his lengthy service to the game, no-one wants to go out in a damp squib way as this season looks to be heading. Maybe there’s time yet to get another two internationals to get him to 100! That, as Nigel himself says, is up to World Rugby. Here’s his own words, courtesy of Wales Online:
Nigel Owens column: The reasons I’ve chosen not to retire and plan to carry on refereeing
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 France v England at the start of the Six Nations could have proven to be my last game as a referee.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.
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.
With the uncertainty surrounding sport at the moment, it would have been a very odd time to call it a day.
And although it’s not the whole reason I want to carry on, I have to admit that deep down it is part of my thought process.
I can’t finish like this. It’s nice to know when you are actually finishing after a long career, do it naturally. To know this is your last game, enjoy the nostalgia and the emotions that come with that.
Not knowing whether I’ve done my last game, or when that might happen if the season recommences, just creates that unsatisfactory uncertainty I talk of.
That said, the main reasons why I’m not finishing just yet are twofold.
One is that my body is still fit enough. That is hugely important, of course, ensuring I can keep up with the action and be there to spot things on the field and make key decisions..The other is that I’m still enjoying it and feel I’m still at the top of my game.
I’ve been told by many people who have hung up their boots – be that past referees or indeed some players – that you really will miss it when you call it a day. So if you don’t need to finish, because your body is fine and your performance levels are good, then keep on refereeing, they tell me.
Good advice. And it would be the same with any player who might be in a similar position due to the coronavirus shutdown.I guess what this time off has given me is the chance to recharge my batteries, physically and mentally.
That has been really important, I feel. Why? Because I haven’t really had a rest from the start of last season.
Nigel Owens
It was straight into the summer internationals for me, then the build-up to the World Cup where I did the opening game with Japan and Russia, then domestic matches and the Six Nations.
I’ve noted from the beginning of August 2019 to when I did the semi-final of the World Cup between England and New Zealand, I’d actually refereed 11 Test matches in that period.
None of the other referees had done that many, particularly someone at my stage of their career.
Let me make it clear, I was privileged to have been chosen so often and wouldn’t have it any other way. It was an honour for me to do every single one of those matches.
But that amount of rugby, particularly in today’s fast-moving game, does take a toll on your body and the workload was what probably contributed to the calf injury I picked up in the semi-final of the World Cup.
Then, when I got back from Japan, I was straight back into it again.
I really haven’t had time off, even though I’ve only taken charge of three Guinness PRO14 games this season.
Though I’ve not been on the field as much at domestic level, I’ve still had to train and travel doing stuff with my job. Including going to our referee training camps, where we meet up every so often to discuss what is working, what isn’t, and what we might need to do as a team of referees to put things right next time.
So in one sense I’ve taken advantage of a really bad situation with the coronavirus crisis to recharge the body and mind.
And, with the support of my WRU employers, I’m happy to say I’m carrying on.
Hopefully I will still get games at Test level. World Rugby would probably have been putting out appointments for the summer schedule around this point, although there is obviously uncertainty about whether the matches will go ahead.
I will have to wait and see. As nothing has yet been officially called off, so it may be appointments of referees will continue.
I guess no-one knows what’s happening with the lockdown and how many more weeks it will go on for.
No-one wants it to be for an extended period, but if it does help people’s well-being – which is the most important thing – then that’s what we all need to go through.
I’ve tried to be positive in my own situation and come to a conclusion about what i want to do with my own career in the immediate future.
I hope others can find positivity, as well.
