ANALYSIS: Wayne Barnes to referee Springboks v All Blacks RWC final
According to reports, on Saturday, October 28, in Paris, Wayne Barnes will officiate the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup final match versus the All Blacks.
Next weekend’s 2023 Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and All Blacks is scheduled to be officiated by Englishman Wayne Barnes.
WAYNE BARNES FOR ALL BLACKS VS SPRINGBOKS?
The most experienced referee in Test rugby history, Wayne Barnes, is expected to officiate Saturday night’s Webb Ellis title-deciding match between South Africa and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, according to a report that appeared in The Telegraph.
Tom Foley, another Englishman, is rumored to have been chosen as the Television Match Official (TMO) for the championship match. Later this week, the sideline assistance referees will be decided.
JACO PEYPER IS BACK IN THE WORLD CUP?
According to the article, World Rugby is keeping an eye on South African Jaco Peyper. Should he recover in time, he is expected to play a pivotal role in Friday night’s third-place playoff match against Argentina and England at the same location.
During the first play of last weekend’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal between Wales and Argentina, Peyper hurt his calf. Karl Dickson of England eventually had to take over as referee as he hobbled carefully to the touchline to be checked up by medical professionals.
Peyper was observed earlier this week at a Springbok training session in Paris to assist the team in getting ready for their matchup against England, which took place in the semi-finals.
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A TV interview reveals tensions as an England star claims the Springboks ‘don’t respect us’.
, a Welshman who moved to England after serving as a coach for South Africa, was instrumental in the pregame preparations.
According to England’s winger Johnny May, their valiant attempt against the world champions was motivated by the perception that South Africa had written them off as a real threat. He stated in a post-match interview that although he has the utmost regard for South Africa, their feelings toward England are different.
Having received his maiden cap against New Zealand in November 2014, the 33-year-old was speaking shortly after the Springboks defeated him 16–15 in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. After losing in the 2019 tournament final, he claimed that remarks made by South African coach Rassie Erasmus in the documentary Chasing The Sun “added fuel to the fire”.
Full access to the Springboks, their training, and the team members themselves was granted to the documentary crew, who also included many of Erasmus’s team speeches prior to games, including the England loss in the Japan final.
When Erasmus was reminding his players how difficult it was to play against Wales, he made one disparaging remark about England. “They (Wales) are not softies,” he declared. They differ from Ireland. They are not like the English, who vanish. They are hardy a*****s.
May responded to Sky Sports when asked if England had been thinking about the 2019 championship: “Not particularly. The South Africans don’t seem to regard us, to be very honest. It is likely that some of the things the coach has publicly stated about us in films are just gasoline for the flames.
“As for me, I give every game my all, regardless of whether the coach or the team values what I do. That is all we can do, in my opinion, and we are improving. It is up to us to put in the effort and advance. We were easily defeated by this squad in the fall, and it seemed like the game slipped away from us.”
He responded, “I am not that type of guy to get riled up by a team who has beat us here and there,” when asked if the team had “harnessed” some of the remarks made against England in the past. Every game, I do my best to prepare. Yes, some boys did manage to harness that.
Additionally, he verified that prior to the game, coach Steve Borthwick had posted several statements in the locker room.
May stated: “We touched on their documentary and we have got staff who were with them so they gave us insight into what they were thinking and how they feel about us.”
Aled Walters, a Welshman who served as South Africa’s fitness coach, was crucial to the Springboks’ conditioning and World Cup readiness in Japan. He is currently with England and is reportedly having a significant impact on the group.
Regarding earning their respect during the game that took place in the semifinals, May responded, “I don’t know and I don’t care.” Those individuals and what they do have my respect. We commend them and send our best wishes their way. What other people think of me is not relevant to me.
“Everything for me has revolved on playing for England. I’m appreciative to be involved in it.”