1
Wayne Barnes to take charge of All Blacks’ quarter-final with Ireland
By Finn Morton
Wayne Barnes will take charge of the All Blacks’ highly anticipated showdown with Ireland with World Rugby confirming the match officials for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Barnes has been appointed for a record fourth time at this stage of the sports showpiece event.
New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe will referee the other quarter-final at Stade de France between France and South Africa, while Jaco Peyper and Mathieu Raynal have been named for the two games in Marseille.
Peyper will officiate Wales versus Argentina on Saturday at Stade de Marseille and Raynal will look over the third quarter between England and Fiji.
“I am full of admiration for how the match officials have performed at this Rugby World Cup and the example that they set as ambassadors and guardians of the sport’s values,” World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said.
“They have played their full part in what will be remembered as a compelling pool phase.
“I would like to congratulate Jaco, Wayne, Mathieu and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs, and we now look forward to four compelling matches on the road to determining who will lift the Webb Ellis Cup at Stade de France on 28 October.”
Referee Barnes will move ahead of Nigel Owens, Jim Fleming and Derek Bevan for the most quarter-finals officiated by a referee. Jaco Peyper is also set for a milestone with the South African set to oversee his 50th Test.
The four referees have a combined 263 Test matches of experience between them, although this is the first quarter-final for both O’Keeffe and Raynal.
“Congratulations to those appointed. It was a very difficult selection as the performance level has been high,” World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge added.
“As a team, the match officials have worked hard to achieve consistency of performance and clarity of decision-making that enables the players to do what they do best.
“There is a strong culture within this group and a strong understanding with the teams owing to the preparation achieved over the last year and beyond.
“While it is the referees who will get the recognition for the appointments, this is a team game. We have an excellent team of referees, assistant referees and TMOs with a strong team ethic for the group to be the best it can be as a whole.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to comments