Rugby referee Wayne Barnes has announced his retirement.

It comes after a career spanning 17 years, 111 test matches, including five rugby world cups.

The announcement came five days after he officiated the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and the Springboks.

NZ Rugby head of refereeing Chris Pollock spoke to Jason Pine on Weekend Sport about Barnes' career.



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Rugby referee Wayne Barnes has announced his retirement.
It comes after a career spanning 17 years, 111 test matches, including five rugby world cups.
The announcement came five days after he officiated the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and the Springboks.
NZ Rugby head of refereeing Chris Pollock spoke to Jason Pine on Weekend Sport about Barnes' career.
 
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Weekend Sport with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB brings you all the action and reaction to the sporting weekend.

Weekend Sport with Jason Pine

Chris Pollock: NZ Rugby head of refereeing on the career of Wayne Barnes

Listen to the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for Sunday 19 April.

Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast for Sunday 19 April. 
Get the Weekend Sport with Jason Pine Full Show Podcast every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 19 April 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d1142477-dad4-4f89-8d93-b4310034c191/transcript

This week, James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Piney to discuss the Chiefs winning, the Crusaders losing the horses and the demise of Moana Pasifika.

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This week, James McOnie from The Crowd Goes Wild joined Piney to discuss the Chiefs winning, the Crusaders losing the horses and the demise of Moana Pasifika.
LISTEN ABOVE

James McOnie: The Crowd Goes Wild host on the Chiefs winning, the Crusaders losing the horses and the demise of Moana Pasifika

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/486d129e-c5cd-40e5-bf79-b43100387e6d/transcript

Crunch time for Auckland FC's hopes of clinching back-to-back Premiers' Plates in the A-League.

The Black Knights are just kicking off against ninth-placed Central Coast at Mount Smart Stadium.

Auckland are four points off leaders Newcastle Jets, with a game in hand and needing a win or a draw sending the minor premiership title race to the final week of the regular season next week.

Auckland FC winger Lachlan Brook joined Piney to discuss.

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Crunch time for Auckland FC's hopes of clinching back-to-back Premiers' Plates in the A-League.
The Black Knights are just kicking off against ninth-placed Central Coast at Mount Smart Stadium.
Auckland are four points off leaders Newcastle Jets, with a game in hand and needing a win or a draw sending the minor premiership title race to the final week of the regular season next week.
Auckland FC winger Lachlan Brook joined Piney to discuss.
LISTEN ABOVE

Lachlan Brook: Auckland FC winger ahead of the team's clash against the Central Coast Mariners

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d976f9ae-abfc-4c6f-a03c-b43100367f69/transcript

Chris Pollock: NZ Rugby head of refereeing on the career of Wayne Barnes

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