In a Rugby World Cup dominated by big refereeing decisions, it was almost inevitable that referee Wayne Barnes would have a huge role in shaping the outcome of the New Zealand v South Africa final.
Barnes reached for his pocket twice in the first half of the Rugby World Cup final, with two yellow card 'bunker' decisions. The first - a dirty tackle by Shannon Frizell on Bongi - was adjudged to be a yellow card offense. The second - a brutal shoulder to the head of Jesse Kriel by Sam Cane - was upgraded to a red.
There was also a strange incident where Wayne Barnes appeared to apologise for getting a call wrong to Ardie Savea. That's certainly how the incident was interpreted on Irish TV - though it's perhaps as likely that Barnes was merely giving his perspective with the 'sorry mate'
"Sorry mate, I thought he stayed on him. I didn't see him come off enough."
Wayne Barnes admits his mistake. How costly could that be to the All Blacks? 🤔#NZLvRSA | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/YG7RUtIhbz— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 28, 2023
Barnes did miss a clear knock-on around the 22nd minute by Faf de Klerk
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New Zealand reaction to Wayne Barnes and his officials
In the punditry booth in the Sky Sport NZ studio at halftime, All Blacks legend Israel Dagg spoke for many Kiwi fans with a downbeat rant criticising Wayne Barnes and the match officials.
This is our showpiece event. It's been overshadowed by a couple of people - I've got other names for them - they've taken it into their own hands, taken the glory and gloss away from the players who worked their absolute butts off to get here.
Israel Dagg very, very unhappy with influence of ref at #RWCFinal on @skysportnz. #NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/2PbRBzkKkZ
— Craig Norenbergs (@CraigNorenbergs) October 28, 2023
Dagg also controversially compared the unfavourable spectacle to the recent National Rugby League final. He also contended that Cane's tackle was less serious because Kriel was not injured in the collision.
@canndogg Broo I’m so done with @World Rugby they’re killing the game with the constant over reffing of the game, its the world cup final and we taliing about the refs decision, izzy dagg is on the money #rugbyworldcup #allblacks #southafrica #springboks #foryou #fyp #worldrugby #dyinggame #izzydagg ♬ original sound - Steve
The on-air criticism of Wayne Barnes and the match officials was mirrored by Dagg's tweets during the first half.
Yellow card for a accident! We’ll done!!
— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) October 28, 2023
Geez barnsey 🤦🏻♂️
— Israel Akuhata Dagg (@izzy_dagg) October 28, 2023
All Blacks Twitter was full of people agreeing with Barnes, and criticising him for not making other calls.
@izzy_dagg reckon they will look at this too? Oh no thats right its not an AB doing it 🤦🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/g0izDzR4wU
— Ashley Tuala♡ (@ashley_tuala) October 28, 2023
Many Kiwis still have PTSD with Wayne Barnes dating back to the 2007 World Cup Quarterfinal that New Zealand lost to France in Cardiff, but surely the overall criticism with the officiating belongs with the bunker system.
One doesn't envy any rugby referee for the decisions he has to make, and Wayne Barnes certainly the best of today's referees. But you can't argue that the game overall - with four players sinbinned - was disappointing and this tournament peaked at the quarterfinal stage.
