'We know where you live' - World Cup referee Wayne Barnes wants punishment for online trolls after 'vile' post-match abuse

Hardly. Barnes being a leading Ref probably has officiated the games with higher quality opposition and fewer games against lower ranked teams. It’s a a very long bow to make your assumptions.

NZ wins at 64% under Barnes. In the time that Barnes has been a international ref NZ has win at 83% the whole Barnes Career. Proof is right there. 64% v 83% is to big a gap for it to be anything else.

He was so biased, he only penalised NZ 5 times in 82 minutes?

Regardless there is no justification for the abuse or accusations of bias, the latter also being a reflection on his character. What’s laughable is most of the worst comments come from the most biased of supporters most of whom are so judgmental of others but completely oblivious to their own failings

As reported in the NZ Herald on 30 October 2023: Wayne Barnes is receiving death threats for how he officiated the Rugby World Cup final won 12-11 by South Africa, and there is one moment causing a lot of fuss among All Blacks fans. All Blacks supporters are claiming that Barnes apologised to stand-in skipper Ardie Savea for getting a decision wrong, but still allowed the Springboks to kick a three-pointer. In the 17th minute, South African No. 8 Duane Vermeulen carries the ball into a tackle, with Tyrel Lomax making the first hit. As the big Bok goes to ground, Savea makes the second tackle and moves quickly to steal the ball. Vermeulen holds on and Barnes penalises Savea – the tackler is meant to let go of the opponent before moving in to steal the ball. As Handre Pollard lines up to shoot the penalty, Savea queries Barnes about the call. Only one side of the conversation is captured on the referee’s microphone. Savea is thought to be drawing the referee’s attention to a replay of the incident on the big screen. Barnes replies: “Sorry, mate, I didn’t see the replay. I thought you stayed on him. I didn’t see you come off enough.” Barnes is clear about his reasons for giving the penalty – he believes Savea did not break away enough before grabbing the ball. Rather than the referee admitting guilt, the use of the word “sorry” seems to be Barnes politely saying he didn’t see the replay. Or it could be he was politely acknowledging to Savea that his own interpretation was different from that of the All Blacks No 8. Sky commentator Grant Nisbett is the first to misunderstand the comment. “Bit of a tough call in a World Cup final, to concede a mistake,” says the veteran broadcaster. I think it is sad that experienced journalists (some even on this site!) and many keyboard warriors repeated this misunderstanding, seemingly without caring about some of the consequences (like death threats to Barnes). If I have missed it, please feel free to correct me, but nearly two weeks later I haven’t seen any apology yet from Grant Nisbett, nor from any of the journalists on this site who ran with this story. Perhaps somewhat ironic, as we are quick to point the finger at the mistakes from referees, but very slow to admit to our own!

Actually that’s not correct. He expands more in a full article and interview with the BBC. It doesn’t reflect well on you for you to keep maintaining that’s it’s all Kiwis. Yes, it was an NZ/SA game that was the last straw, but you are terribly naive if you think one game and one fan set caused this. And yes, I’m ashamed that NZ fans have contributed to this. “followed a similar backlash to his officiating in last year’s test between the Springboks and France.” Barnes… …said the abuse he received became more intense after South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus criticised his performance in last year’s test in France against the Springboks. “Without doubt, it was a moment where you think ‘why do we do this?’” he told the BBC. “But then you sit down and talk about it and realise there is only 10 months to go [until the World Cup] and you don’t want the keyboard warriors to win.”

Always remember that it was the vile kiwi coaches, players and their wicked media who viciously attacked him in 2007 right at the start of his career, and it was vile kiwis that sent his family death threats midway through the RWC final that forced him to retire.

Hate social media with a passion. Great original concept, but now too often a shop window for those simply painting a dishonest version of their lives. At worst the haven of bigots, attention seekers, and onanists taking an hour off from porn tube and their miserable existence, to throw about worthless declarations that would ordinarily often warrant a smack in their coward mouths, or preferably something custodial, public, and humiliating. Online threatening behaviour is threatening behaviour, even if you're siting in your vest covered in dinner medals from the mound of surrounding pizza boxes. Did I mention I hated social media?

Not sure I understand that comment Jacko? Care to elaborate in plain English?

May just have been the postman...

Refs are the low hanging fruit for disgruntled biased fans to abuse. Perhaps if they applied the same standards to themselves they might gain some insight. But that won’t happen, too busy looking to denigrate others.

Imagine the hate he would have received if he had been so biased against a big NH nation or his whole 17 year career at test rugby.

ANYONE, who makes ANY threat along those lines, should be subject to scrutiny and punishment. Barnes may have made the odd mistake but so do all referees and he is actually a good one, if a little too technical for my tastes. We tend to forget the job these guys do and the path they follow to get to the top of the heap in a largely thankless task. Like the players, it behoves us fans to get a grip, and respect these men who are such a vital cog in our game. I should know as my wife boss tells me I need to calm down. World Rugby needs to own some of this as well. Giving the game back to the man in the middle and reducing the intervention of over-zealous TMO's. Tackle height, card sanctions, review and punishment are all areas of concern that, if properly administered, will improve the game as a spectacle and reduce the attacks on officials too. Foster, Owens, Pinchot, Hansen, the Professor... they can't all be wrong...

Good on ya Wayne. He’s been a great servant of the game of rugby and doesn’t deserve to be threatened. I call for punishments to people who threaten anyone online as well. Respect!