NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport

Rugby: Wayne Barnes - I'm no longer most hated in New Zealand

NZ Herald
13 Nov, 2019 08:22 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Wayne Barnes became the focal point for a nation's wrath and resentment following his controversial refereeing performance in the 2007 quarter-final. Photo / Photosport

Wayne Barnes became the focal point for a nation's wrath and resentment following his controversial refereeing performance in the 2007 quarter-final. Photo / Photosport

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It's taken 12 years but rugby referee Wayne Barnes believes he's been surpassed as one of the most hated people in New Zealand - by US President Donald Trump.

Barnes became the focal point for a nation's wrath and resentment following his controversial refereeing performance in the 2007 quarter-final when the All Blacks were stunned by France.

In an interview with UK publication Planet Rugby, Barnes said New Zealand seem to be over it now.

READ MORE:
• England coach Eddie Jones: My big Rugby World Cup final mistake
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: 'We'll get them this week' - Behind the scenes footage of England's win over the All Blacks
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: Talking points from South Africa's win
• 2019 Rugby World Cup final: UK media react to Springboks' win over England

"My stock appears to have risen from being voted after my first World Cup in 2007, officially the third most hated man in New Zealand to getting the World Rugby Referee of the Year Award in 2019, which is quite a contrast," Barnes told Planet Rugby.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Indeed, at one point, in Cowboy's Bar in Queenstown, I was somewhat disturbed to find a rather compromising effigy of me in the washrooms for disenfranchised fans to take aim at.

US President Donald Trump. Photo / Getty
US President Donald Trump. Photo / Getty

"But I'm reliably informed that in recent times Donald J. Trump has replaced me as the target of Kiwi ire," he added.

The Big Read: Nightmare in Cardiff

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The Englishman sinbinned All Blacks centre Luke McAlister at a crucial moment of the 2007 game and also missed a forward pass in the move that brought France the matchwinning try in their 20-18 triumph.

Earlier this year Barnes opened up about his performance in the 2007 quarter-final admitting missing a French forward pass was the 'most high-profile mistake' of his career.

"I think, perhaps the most high-profile mistake was in 2007 when there was a forward pass in the lead up to a French try against New Zealand, the fallout from that was pretty huge," he told BT Sport while reflecting on his career which ended at the World Cup when he took charge of the bronze final.

"I think I was voted the third most-hated man in New Zealand that year so it was pretty impressive!

Discover more

All Blacks

Leon MacDonald reveals Beauden Barrett's 'unique' deal with Blues

13 Nov 02:30 AM
Super Rugby

Super Rugby scouting report: Five up-and-coming prospects to watch

13 Nov 04:00 PM
Super Rugby

'Push the All Blacks': Hurricanes' new plans for Jordie Barrett

13 Nov 04:30 AM
Rugby World Cup

Warren Gatland on Chiefs move: Coaching in NZ not a disadvantage

13 Nov 05:30 AM

"As a referee you never want to be in the headlines and whenever you are, whether you're right or wrong, that's not what you're there for."

Barnes reportedly received personal abuse and even online death threats following the All Blacks' exit.

That was the first time the All Blacks had bowed out at such an early point in the tournament. Since the incident New Zealand have won the last two World Cup titles while Barnes has been rated one of the top referees in the world.

Wayne Barnes during the Rugby World Cup 2019 bronze final between the All Blacks and Wales. Photo  / Getty
Wayne Barnes during the Rugby World Cup 2019 bronze final between the All Blacks and Wales. Photo / Getty

"I don't blame Barnes, but I do blame the people who appointed the most inexperienced referee on the roster to a RWC quarterfinal between the hosts and the favourites. I thought both teams deserved a referee with experience," former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said of the 2007 quarter in his book Open Side published in 2012.

"My beef isn't with Barnes so much as with his inexperience. This was Barnes' biggest game by far. On the big stage, an inexperienced referee is likely to become so afraid of making a mistake that he stops making any decisions at all.

"By the end of it, I thought Barnes was frozen with fear and wouldn't make any big calls."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

However on the eve of the 2015 World Cup opener against Argentina, which Barnes was the referee, McCaw had only praise for Barnes in reference to the 2007 match.

"From a player's point of view I just knew we hadn't played good enough. I have had quite a lot to do with Wayne since then and he is a top bloke. He does it for the right reasons and that's all you want from the fellow in the middle."

In the BT interview Barnes said one of his career highlights was another All Blacks' defeat - last year's clash with Ireland.

"I was lucky enough to take charge of New Zealand v Ireland over in the Aviva Stadium back in November and that was a special atmosphere that day, there was something very special before the match and obviously during the match. There was a real sense of occasion to that game."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Sport

All BlacksUpdated

All Blacks hold on, end France losing streak to open 2025

05 Jul 09:19 AM
All BlacksUpdated

All Blacks hold on for narrow victory against France to open 2025

05 Jul 07:57 AM
Racing

Caitlyns Wish claims seventh win in Te Rapa sprint race

05 Jul 06:26 AM

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Sport

All Blacks hold on, end France losing streak to open 2025

All Blacks hold on, end France losing streak to open 2025

05 Jul 09:19 AM

A weakened French side put up a serious challenge under the Dunedin roof.

All Blacks hold on for narrow victory against France to open 2025

All Blacks hold on for narrow victory against France to open 2025

05 Jul 07:57 AM
Caitlyns Wish claims seventh win in Te Rapa sprint race

Caitlyns Wish claims seventh win in Te Rapa sprint race

05 Jul 06:26 AM
Māori All Blacks beaten by Scotland

Māori All Blacks beaten by Scotland

05 Jul 05:39 AM
From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP