Plan B Forum

Referee Review: Nigel Owens' entirely forgettable performance in Rugby World Cup final was perfect


OPINION: Nigel Owens had a completely forgettable performance in the Rugby World Cup final - and that's exactly what a referee wants.

It was mentioned to me the other day that there is no other sport in which the referees are household names. Refereeing rugby is such a tough job that guys like Owens become exactly that.

On Sunday morning, Owens put in the sort of performance that rugby needs - a performance that saw the referee fade into the background, allowing the teams to play.

When he was called upon, Owens took his time, used the tools at his disposal and made the right decisions.

All Blacks fullback Ben Smith was sent to the sin bin for a lifting tackle during the Rugby World Cup final.

There were mistakes, and in rugby refereeing there always are, but when it came to match-defining moments Owens was spot on.

He earned his place in the middle of rugby's biggest spectacle, and then produced a performance we'll all forget. That's how it should be.

Two main talking points were a possible forward pass from Nehe Milner-Skudder to Jerome Kaino in the first half, and Ben Smith's second half yellow card.

There are a couple of things to remember with a forward pass, and it's been mentioned in these columns before.

The ball needs to go forward in relation to the player, not the field. That's where relative velocity comes in. When a player is moving and is halted shortly after passing the ball, a pass almost always looks forward.

That said, on this occasion Milner-Skudder's pass was definitely forward. Although he was hit after throwing the ball, it clearly came out of his hands forward.

Despite not being in charge, Wayne Barnes was able to cause a little bit of controversy in the Rugby World Cup final.

Owens asked his touch judge - wait for it, Wayne Barnes - and Barnes said to play on. The All Blacks were then awarded a penalty at the next ruck and Owens couldn't go back to check it.

It was the wrong decision, but it wasn't Owens' fault.

Owens nailed the decision to bin Ben Smith later on, however.

Ben Smith clearly lifted Drew Mitchell, resulting in the winger landing on his shoulder. It surprised me how long it took Owens to realise the extent of the penalty, needing some prompting from the TMO, but that's why the officials work as a team.

The right call was made and Ben Smith was sent to the naughty chair.

The only other talking point from Owens came when All Blacks first-five Dan Carter told Owens how "****ing tired" he was.

"Don't swear, you're on tele," was Owens' curt reply.

If that's all Owens is remembered for from this final, what an ideal way to leave his mark on rugby's biggest stage.

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will go from the Rugby World Cup final to officiating at a match between two village teams.

He was watched by millions during New Zealand's 34-17 win over Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

But the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said his next job was in Gowerton, Swansea - where the average attendance is 150.

Match official manager Nigel Whitehouse said Owens would be "coming back down to earth with a bump".

Mr Whitehouse added: "He had a fantastic World Cup and was the people's choice to take charge of the final.

"But he is refereeing two village teams next weekend - it will be good for him to do a local game."

Owens started off refereeing local teams in Wales and will return to be the man in the middle when Gowerton RFC play Crymych RFC in Swalec League Division One West on Saturday.

The 44-year-old was only the second Welshman to take charge of a World Cup final following Derek Bevan, who refereed in 1991 when Australia edged England, also at Twickenham.

Owens's famed no-nonsense approach saw him give All Blacks man-of-the-match Dan Carter a ticking-off for bad language, telling him: "Don't swear, you're on the telly."

Residents from his home village, Mynyddcerrig, in Carmarthenshire, decorated the streets with bunting and banners to celebrate his appointment.

Gob wrote:I was celebrating the fact that an openly gay man can now take such a role, without fear of crowd or player harassment or disdain, and in fact receive the respect he deserves.

Gob wrote:and did us proud.

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All Blacks fullback Ben Smith was sent to the sin bin for a lifting tackle during the Rugby World Cup final.

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The right call was made and Ben Smith was sent to the naughty chair.
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