The strange and wonderful day jobs of international rugby referee's

byRugby Rucker

Behind the glitz and glamour of international rugby, many world-class referees must work around the clock to fund their rugby dream.

#1. Wayne Barnes - Barrister

Barnes is a barrister and one of the founding members of Fulcrum Chambers. He heads up their Sports Law team and uses his unparalleled experience of supporting corporate clients whilst still being heavily involved at the top end of professional sport.

Wayne Barnes facts:

When not on the pitch or working with the England team, Barnes is a practising barrister
Barnes started playing rugby at the age of eight, and took up refereeing aged 15 with Gloucester & District Referees
He also has two young children, Juno and Beau with wife Polly.

Wayne Barnes toughest player to referee Richie McCaw

BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”

#2. Ben O'Keeffe - Eye Doctor

One of New Zealand's six full-time referees, O'Keeffe is also a qualified doctor specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with eye health and disease.

Ben O'Keeffe facts:

O'Keeffe became an amateur referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19
He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys' College where he was head boy in 2006.
O'Keeffe's brother, Michael O'Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football

Ben O'Keeffe toughest player to referee: Ma'a Nonu

O'Keeffe said: "I think like Ma’a Nonu, yeah he was pretty tough. I’ve noticed over the last few years that players are just a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger.

"I trained with the Highlanders pre-season one year and you get a real appreciation of how big, fit and hard they hit. That just remind me why I just I love refereeing – so I don’t have to take those big hits."

#3. George Clancy - Revenue Commissioners

Clancy has a master's degree in international relations and worked as a tax official with the Revenue Commissioners.

George Clancy facts:

Clancy has also lived with type 1 diabetes for over twenty years
He refereed at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups
He was raised in Bruff and he is the great grandnephew of George Clancy, a former Mayor of Limerick killed during the Irish War of Independence
He remains a hurling fan and he was attending a match between Bruff GAA and Ballybrown GAA when he received a phone call from Paddy O'Brien inviting him to referee the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup

Nigel Owens toughest player to referee: Richie McCaw

#4. Nigel Owens - Farmer

The popular Welshman had an interest in farming since he was a young kid and it has always played a huge part in his life away from the rugby field.

Over the years, Owens has been able to save up to buy his own farm with his partner Barrie and so far they've built up 26 pedigree Hereford cattle.

Nigel Owens facts:

Owens was born and raised in the village of Mynyddcerrig, near Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire
In May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with Wales on Sunday
His long-term partner is Barrie Jones-Davies, a primary school teacher from Llandovery
Owens started refereeing in 1987, after his sports teacher John Beynon suggested he take up refereeing after a school game
His first game was an under-15s match between Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire at the age of 16

Nigel Owens toughest player to referee: Austin Healey

OWENS SAID: “Definitely. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully. A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him. He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”

#5. Romain Poite – Police Detective

Prior to becoming a professional rugby referee, the 45-year-old was a police detective in Toulouse.

Romaine Poite facts:

Poite retired in November 2021 after refereeing 72 tests, refereeing the third-most international tests in international rugby behind Nigel Owens (Wales) and Wayne Barnes (England)
He made his debut in 2006, and has been a referee at three World Cups (2011, 2015, 2019), including the 2019 Final
Poite was born in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France