English referee Wayne Barnes has announced his retirement, just days after officiating the Rugby World Cup final in Paris between the All Blacks and the Springboks.
The most-capped referee in test history (111 tests from 2006-2023) officiated at a record five Rugby World Cups.
Barnes and his team had come in for criticism from some after their World Cup final performance over the weekend, and the 2019 World Rugby Referee Award winner cited online abuse in his statement overnight.
"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," he said.
"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.
"It's been an incredible journey."
Barnes said he's looking forward to spending more time with his kids and wife, Polly – who had been vocal in defending her husband after the weekend's game, slamming the "vile atmosphere" at the final.
She said: "See ya later Rugby World Cup. Won't miss you, or the death threats."
This week, TVNZ's Scotty Stevenson said criticism of Barnes after the match was unfair given how the television match official was being used in the game.
"How do you reduce the best referee in the game (Barnes) to essentially a replay errand boy?" he asked Breakfast.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont also paid tribute to Barnes' ability.
"Wayne has been a truly fantastic ambassador for rugby, both on and off the pitch," he said.
"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.
"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," Beaumont added.
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