ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Nigel Owens picked to referee the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final

BY Grant Constable  ·  Monday Oct 26, 2015

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will take charge of this year’s Rugby World Cup Final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham this coming Saturday.

The 44-year-old will become the second Welshman to be bestowed the honour, following on from Derek Bevan, who refereed the 1991 final between Australia and England.

The only other northern hemisphere officials to do so were Ed Morrison of England back in 1995, and Irishman Alain Rolland in 2007.

“I would like to thank World Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union for their support over many years. There have been so many individual people throughout my career who have helped and supported me along the way and while I can’t name everyone here, I will be thanking everyone personally in due course,” Owens said.

“I want to thank my friends and family for their ongoing support and for helping me through some rough times in my life. My dad, in particular, is always there for me and is delighted with this news – it’s just a shame my mother is not here to see this as she was a pillar of strength for me. She passed away six years ago and I know she would have been very proud.”

Speaking before the tournament in a BBC special that will air tonight, Owens said: “The game has gone quicker, so your decision making has to be even better and quicker. The pressure on you as a referee is massive. You have less time to make your decision in that split-second. And in every stadium now there is a big screen, every decision you make is highlighted now.

“There are more cameras at the games now, there are more players viewing the game and watching it at home. When you look at that screen and then you make the wrong decision there is no excuses, people will not forgive you.”

While Jerome Garces and Wayne Barnes were given the honour of refereeing the semi finals, Owens has been the most consistent and well liked referee for the last few seasons. He will be joined on the touch lines in the final by Garces and Barnes, with Shaun Veldsman named as TMO.

Argentina will take on South Africa in the bronze final on Friday night (kick-off 20:00) and John Lacey of Ireland will take charge of that match. His assistant referees will be Glen Jackson and Chris Pollock, both from New Zealand. Graham Hughes of England will be the TMO.

Amongst a myriad of amusing highlights (see the Related Posts below this), he was at his comical best earlier in this RWC when telling off Scottish fullback Stuart Hogg for a theatrical dive against South Africa at St James Park, the home of Newcastle Football club.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    'A really poor imitation' - Shane Horgan...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Top referee calls time on career following...

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    2023 Men's Rugby World XV of the Year - The...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All