![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wayne-barnes-exclusive-interview-after-99-tests-as-a-referee-fans-still-tell-me-im-s/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000314635339_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqMNKKaCDDRnqKUGTDIifUZJAomC97Bl8JZoXnxkWhbiU.jpeg&description=Next year's Rugby World Cup in France, whether he takes charge of the final or not, will lead to a natural time for the 43 year-old to take everything in account. "I'm really aware that my wife particularly sacrifices a lot in order for me to do this. She's an MD in her own right, works five days a week in town, when I disappear she's not only a full-time employee but a full-time mum and that puts a lot of strain and onus on her," he admits. "It's a family commitment. The kids are eight and six, I'm massively aware of the sacrifice that they have made, whether it's not seeing their husband or dad for a bit. Eight weeks in Japan is a big stint away from a then three-year-old's life. They're coming down to Cardiff, so that's nice to be able to celebrate it together." Perhaps Wales and New Zealand will give Barnes a straightforward, controversy-free afternoon. Perhaps not. Regardless, Saturday gives fans and pundits and players the opportunity to do something a little rare: to celebrate the man in the middle. Wayne Barnes on... The Principality Stadium The best stadium in the world. The noise when the roof is closed… I remember the 2015 RWC when France played Ireland and it was through the scale. It felt like the old Lansdowne Road. Best captain The captain I always liked working with where when it was a two-way conversation. They had their points and often they were right. 'Last couple of times this has happened, can you have a look at it'. When I raise things with them it's not their wrong, it's 'course, I can have a look at it'. That's what is nice about our game, that interaction. The best captains know when to ask the question, because they will sense you are not quite sure. You will get a glint in the eye from Alun Wyn Jones before the question, 'are you sure about that one?' They know the answer already! The ones that wouldn't surprise you are the top-class captains of all time: Richie McCaw, John Smit, Sam Warburton. All have now retired but were captained for){kind=link}
The English referee will officiate his 100th Test match on Saturday when Wales face New Zealand
When you have been around as a referee for as long as Wayne Barnes, there are certain interactions where you have to see the funny side. The Forest of Dean’s finest whistleblower will take charge of his 100th Test match on Saturday when Wales face New Zealand, joining a club which includes his former contemporary Nigel Owens, before becoming the most-capped referee of all time next week when France host Australia in Marseille. Not that reaching such significant landmarks means that Barnes – who is welcomingly self-deprecating throughout our time together – will be met with universal approval.
“It’s amazing how in certain jobs people think they should just share their opinion about your work. You can be sat having a coffee in Twickenham and someone will go ‘You’re Wayne Barnes, aren’t you? You were s— yesterday.’ And I’ll think, ‘Thanks very much, how was your day?’,” he laughs.
Although, you cannot be that s— to bring up a century of Test matches and officiate at four Rugby World Cups. The urinal which once featured an effigy of Barnes in a bar in Queenstown has even gone now. A fifth World Cup is on the horizon, as is potentially taking charge of the final, providing England are not involved.
“I’m really aware that England being in the final and winning the World Cup does a lot more for my local rugby club than Wayne Barnes refereeing a World Cup final,” Barnes adds. “It’s something you can’t control. I just need to referee well.”