Nigel Owens, the most capped referee in world rugby, has called time on his distinguished 17-year international career.
Welshman Owens became the first referee to officiate in a century of Tests when he took charge of an Autumn Nations Cup clash between France and Italy last month.
The 49-year-old said it was the perfect milestone with which to bow out of international Tests and the fact that he would not be officiating at the 2023 World Cup in France was a factor in making his decision.
(Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
“Nobody has a divine right to go on forever. There comes a time where it’s time to move on so international refereeing will come to end now, that France versus Italy game was my last Test match,” Owens said in a statement.
“To go out on 100 is a good time to go. I’m not going to be around for 2023, I don’t want to be. I still hope to referee in the Pro 14 and locally in Wales this season and maybe next as well.
“I will certainly continue to referee in the community game because when you are very fortunate to get so much out of something, I think it’s hugely important that you give something back to it as well.”
Owens was the longest-serving member of World Rugby’s elite international panel, notably taking charge of the 2015 World Cup final between the victorious All Blacks and the Wallabies, as well as several European Champions Cup finals.
Owens added that he would be moving into a coaching role with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to train young referees.
“We currently have five referees including myself refereeing at Pro 14 level so it will be exciting to help them make further progress as well as our other upcoming male and female referees,” he added.
Lara
Guest
One of the few refs who had the ability to read a game, control it when necessary, but allowed the players the freedom to play the game. Only a handful of refs can command the respect from players n fans that Owen was able to achieve. Great ref....love some of the telling offs , he gave to players...love the humour.....cheers. Good luck with the coaching, hopefully you can unearth new talent.
piru
Roar Rookie
Pity as he seems to have plenty of gas left in the tank, but for the first time in ages we seem to have several decent refs around the place at once. Good luck to him, think he'll be a real asset as a referee coach
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Test Rugby will be poorer for your absence, sir. A fine referee, the best I have seen actually. Rugby flowed under your arbitration and your comedic burns are the stuff of legend. Open and honest about who you are, a good man to boot. All the very best, Mr Owens
Everest
Roar Rookie
My cousin in whom is involved in UK rugby reckons Wayne Barnes might be keen to get out of reffing and is keen to get in to punditry. Not sure how serious he is but aparrently it may be a thing.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
In total agreement. Richie was the complete package. He did it all and he did it well.
Agree...He showed that rugby can be reffed intellegently and with major consideration to the actual game itself..... He was in charge when he reffed and he didnt believe he had to coach all the players
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Will be missed for so many reasons. Liked Olly's suggestion to get him in the commentary team. Maybe he could contribute something to referee development while he was here. For channel 9 to be successful they need to bridge the rules comprehension gap. Perhaps he could do a series on watching the game with a level of comprehension that does not require the need to understand every decision or rule. Lets face it, most of us need that!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
As with all the comments so far. He was/is the best. Definitely missed already. You always had confidence that a game would go well when he had the whistle. He had no big controversies in his game that I can remember, like missed forward passes, missed knock ons, changing his mind after AWJ kept harassing. He will surely be missed. The upside is he Wilma crib elf be involved with the new breed of Welsh refs, so hopefully a get an influx of Welsh voices floating across our fields soon.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
And fantastic one liners. His on field burns were the best.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Exactly what made Richie a great captain. Talking to red, finding out what they want they want to see or not see, and then delivering that through the game. Very few captains do that now.
Harry Jones
Expert
Excellent chat, good flow ref, will be missed.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Not in any way suggesting that Owens has favored the ABs. But Richie sure knew how to talk with him back in the day.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
My brain isn't big enough for those stats NV! Actually we lost a couple recently, at home v South Africa and the RWC semi
jeznez
Roar Guru
oops, meant to say - very well deserved!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
He will be missed by many. Hardly a coincidence that many of the best Tests the last decade had Owen as a referee.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
How many times did Owens ref the ABs? And what does the AB's win/loss ratio look like when Owens was the referee?
CUW
Roar Rookie
wonder why they didnt give him the England v France final? as much as people like him, there are many who think he is a Maverick he was always either good or bad - no middle line :D he was entertaining for sure and a goldmine for broadcasters he did it his was as the song goes - for eg he gave two hoots about the recent changes to Laws !! the best he did was to show other refs is - make ur own judgement when using touchies and TMO and its not a consultative common decision making process where everyone has to agree with others so that noone is embarrassed. the bigger problem for world rugger is that there are less than a handful of refs who can do a good job. it was clearly evident during the 3 nations and 8 nations.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Great referee and a great person. Hope he enjoys his retirement, very well reserved and so good that he’ll stay involved at community and training levels.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Sad indeed. On the plus side he will be coaching the next group/generation of refs.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Channel 9, get this man into the commentary team!!!