Rugby: Barnes gets thumbs up from O'Brien

Wayne Barnes has been given a thumbs up by International Rugby Board referees boss Paddy O'Brien following his weekend whistling of the All Blacks' test against Scotland.

Barnes yellow-carded one player from each side for what he felt were professional fouls and O'Brien says it would have been difficult dealing with a scrum that struggled to pack down.

O'Brien says he gives him a pass mark because he refereed what was in front of him.

Barnes' performance will be assessed by himself, O'Brien, an IRB referee selector reviewer and both coaches so he will have had every puff of the whistle analysed by the time he has finished.

- NEWSTALK ZB