Welsh referee Nigel Owens is regarded as one of the world’s greatest but he has just tweeted how “humbled” he is at being selected to referee the World Cup final.
Advertisement
Those two bruising semi-finals, however, will only give an indication of what’s to come, as the two neighbouring countries go toe-to-toe in a World Cup final for the first time.
Speaking after being notified of his appointment, Owens said,”This is a huge honour and a privilege for me”. This is my third World Cup and I think it has been the best. “We knew before this game that he had that job should we get the opportunity to play in that game (the final)”.
There is no involvement for South African Craig Joubert, whose controversial late decision during the Scotland versus Australia quarter-final – he incorrectly awarded a penalty to the Wallabies that Bernard Foley kicked and secured a 35-34 win – led to World Rugby publicly stating that he had made an error.
“Nigel is clearly the best referee in the world – he’s demonstrated that”, Fox told NZME.
But one of the key things he does, apart from communicating incredibly well with players, is that he lets the breakdown breathe.
The final will take place at Twickenham between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday (kick-off 16:00) with Owens being joined on the line by Jeromme Garces of France and England’s Wayne Barnes with Shaun Veldsman of South Africa being the television match official.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Ireland’s John Lacey will referee Friday night’s bronze final between South Africa and Argentina at Olympic Park. His assistants are New Zealanders Glen Jackson and Chris Pollock, with England’s Graham Hughes the TMO.
