Wayne Barnes has confirmed that he is to hang up his whistle as the most experienced international referee in rugby union history. He refereed 111 Tests, including a record 27 World Cup matches in 5 tournaments, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, which was the conclusion of a career spanning 17 years.
He returns now to his other career, as a barrister at Patton Squire Boggs, as well as being a public speaker, rugby pundit and media analyst.
“Incredible journey”
“Over the past 20 years, I have been in the middle of some of the greatest rugby matches in history,” said Barnes. “I have seen some of the world’s best players and worked with some of the finest coaches the game has ever produced. Last Saturday, I was privileged to referee the Rugby World Cup final between two of the most iconic teams in sport; the All Blacks and the Springboks. People often say you will know when it is the right time to retire, and this is clearly the right time for me and for my family.
“My children have missed out on time with their dad for far too long and I am now looking forward to family weekends, sports matches, school assemblies and birthday parties. My wife, Polly, has sacrificed more than anyone so that I have been able to achieve some of my personal goals. While I have been away most weekends and for decent chunks of the year, she has had to juggle being an amazing mum with two active children, along with holding down a hugely successful career of her own.
“I will continue to advocate for referees and work closely with the International Rugby Match Officials’ association to ensure match officials across the globe not only have a collective voice but also the appropriate support network for them and their families, particularly as online abuse and threats have become far too regular for all of those involved in the game.
“I am extremely proud that my career has spanned five Rugby World Cups, 26 Six Nations matches, three European Champions Cup finals and 10 Premiership Finals, and I’m grateful for all of those who have helped me along the way, in particular, Chris White, Tony Spreadbury, Brian Campsall, Nigel Yates and Phil Keith-Roach.
“It’s been an incredible journey.”
BILL SWEENEY, RFU CEO
“On behalf of everyone at the RFU, I would like to thank Wayne for his incredible contribution to the organisation and to professional refereeing over the past two decades. Wayne has consistently set standards, broken records and is the number one referee in the world.
“Having made history refereeing the World Cup final alongside an all-England officiating team it is a fitting end to his international refereeing career. Players, coaches, and everyone involved in the game will miss his clarity, accuracy, and dedication along with his great sense of humour and passion for the game both on and off the pitch”.
“We know that Wayne will inspire future generations of match officials without whom, we would not enjoy or uphold rugby values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment discipline and sportsmanship.”
SIR BILL BEAUMONT, WORLD RUGBY CHAIRMAN
“Wayne has been a truly fantastic ambassador for rugby, both on and off the pitch. What makes him so special is not only his stellar refereeing career, but his wider contribution to the game, making refereeing more accessible to more people. He will rightly be remembered as one of the greats – a credit to the game, his nation and his family.
“On behalf of World Rugby and the global rugby family I would like to thank Wayne for his incredible dedication, commitment, passion and love for the game, which led him to achieve the ultimate accolade in the game, selection on merit to referee the Rugby World Cup 2023 final. He was also a deserving recipient of the World Rugby Referee Award in 2019.
“Refereeing is a tough job, perhaps the toughest in sport. It takes a special person with passion, dedication and a support network around them to be so good for so long, to referee 111 tests and to earn the respect of players, coaches and fans alike.”
JOEL JUTGE, WORLD RUGBY 15s MATCH OFFICIALS MANAGER:
“Wayne’s ability to read and understand the game is second to none. He also embodies the passion, professionalism and dedication that was at the heart of a superb team of match officials at Rugby World Cup 2023.
“He is a credit to refereeing, a role model for those looking to pick up the whistle and has played a huge role in advancing match officiating standards on and off the field. I would like to wish Wayne. Polly and the family the very best for the next chapter.”
KEITH LEWIS, RUGBYREFEREE.NET
The refereeing community has been blessed by fantastic match officials and Wayne Barnes tops the list in so many ways. Not only in the numbers, which speak for themselves, but also as an individual. Throughout his professional career, he has often been seen supporting the community game through the London Society, but also in raising fantastic funds for Breast Cancer Now through his annual charity match and events. We thank Polly and the wider Barnes family for their seen and unseen support which has enabled us all to have Wayne leading the way. We all raise our glasses today in his honour.
A record international career by the numbers
- 19 – Youngest National Panel referee and at 21, youngest Professional Referee at the time
- 272 English Premiership matches refereed, plus 10 Premiership Finals
- Most-capped referee in test history with 111 tests from 2006-23
- Also involved in 92 tests as an assistant referee with three as TMO
- Record five Rugby World Cups
- Record 27 Rugby World Cup matches as referee, culminating with RWC 2023 final
- Second Englishman to referee a Rugby World Cup final after Ed Morrison in 1995
- Record 26 Six Nations matches as referee across 17 Championships from 2007-23
- Thirteen Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship matches from 2007-23
- World Rugby Referee Award recipient in 2019
