Wayne Barnes. Photo / Getty Images
Wayne Barnes might have incurred the wrath of the nation but the English rugby referee remains a hit with his bosses.
Barnes, who has been the subject of a New Zealand-driven hate campaign since his performance in the All Blacks World Cup quarter-final last week, has been awarded
charge of a crucial Six Nations test next year.
The 28-year-old will be the referee for the Ireland vs Wales clash in Dublin on March 8. His appointment in the prestigious championship is hard evidence that his performance in the quarter-final has been assessed favourably by his superiors.
The Six Nations is the Northern Hemisphere's show-piece tournament with all the world's best referees pushing for match appointments. Historically, those referees who have not come up to scratch - all officials have their performance at every test assessed by a professional - are either dumped from the roster or pushed to the bottom.
The fact that Barnes has been appointed as a match referee while more experienced men such as his fellow countryman Tony Spreadbury and New Zealander Kelvin Deaker have missed out reveals he remains a rising star in the eyes of the sport's governing body.
That news will further dismay some New Zealanders who feel Barnes missed a blatant forward pass that led to France's match-winning try and that he was over-zealous in brandishing the yellow card to Luke McAlister in the second half.
Given the nature of a statement released by the International Rugby Board, they too agree that Barnes possibly made some crucial errors.
"Match officials are under immense pressure during major matches and it has to be recognised that at times certain incidents are missed," said the statement. "Match officials have to make decisions instantly and do not have the luxury of replays which are available to spectators and the media."
But despite this concession, the IRB are standing by Barnes both in his Six Nations appointment and verbally.
"The IRB believes the standard of refereeing is the highest it has ever been at a Rugby World Cup tournament. The criticism of referee Wayne Barnes following the France versus New Zealand quarter-final match is completely unwarranted."
