DStv Channel 403 Friday, 06 December 2024

England's Barnes to referee Rugby World Cup final

PARIS - Wayne Barnes has finally got his wish!

The Englishman has been appointed as the referee for the Springboks and the All Blacks Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

He has never taken charge of the final before as he was denied the 2019 competition after his country beat New Zealand in the semi-final.

This is Barnes' fifth tournament, having first been involved in 2007 when the showpiece was held in France.

Saturday's match will be the first time Barnes oversees South Africa since the encounter against France in the end-of-year series last November.

At the time, he was criticised by SA Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus for some questionable decisions.

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