Sport

Nigel Owens bows out of international Test rugby

Published

3 years ago

December 14, 2020

Nigel Owens, the most-capped referee in world rugby, has brought his 17-year international career to an end. Last month’s France v Italy Autumn Nations Cup game was his 100th and final Test match having made his international debut officiating Portugal v Georgia in February 2003.

Owens said, “Nobody has a divine right to go on forever. There comes a time where it’s time to move on so international refereeing will come to end now, that France v Italy game was my last Test match. To go out on 100 is a good time to go.

“I’m not going to be around for 2023, I don’t want to be. I still hope to referee in the Pro 14 and locally in Wales this season and maybe next as well. I will certainly continue to referee in the community game because when you are very fortunate to get so much out of something, I think it’s hugely important that you give something back to it as well.

“I’ll also be going into a coaching role with the WRU, helping some of our talented, young referees we have here in Wales so that is something I’m quite excited about. We currently have five referees including myself refereeing at Pro 14 level so it will be exciting to help them make further progress as well as our other upcoming male and female referees.”

Memories and milestones:
Reaching 100 caps was obviously a bit of a milestone in the end.
“I haven’t refereed in order to reach milestones but obviously when those milestones happen like when you get your first cap, it’s something special. When I got my 50th cap out in Dublin it was Brian O’Driscoll’s last international game in Ireland so that it was quite a special occasion and then obviously as the years go you aim to go to a Rugby World Cup, then another one. After the 2019 world cup, going into the Six Nations, I probably was looking then to call it a day around that time and all of a sudden you’re on 98 Test matches. Thankfully I got another two games and reached that milestone so it is something I’m proud of but more importantly I made my family and community proud which I think is more important.

“I’m sure it’s something I will appreciate more when I’ve got time to think about it – maybe I’ll even watch the 2015 RWC final one day! On a serious note, I think it’s important to set goals, but realistic ones – to take each step and a time and then set a new one.

“Along with refereeing the world cup final and other great internationals like the South Africa v New Zealand game in 2013, and memorable European occasions like the seven Champions Cup final and two Challenge Cup finals, there are many other memories too. One that sticks out was being asked to referee Pencoed under 12s v Cwmbran.

“I turned up the morning after refereeing a Heineken Cup match at Leicester. I’d met the team previously so they gave me a great reception when I arrived but one player in the corner of the changing room said, ‘I hope you’re going to ref this match better than yesterday’s’! I just thought, this is what rugby’s all about and that will always stay in my memory along with many other times.”

Representing Wales
“People ask me, which would you choose – refereeing the Rugby World Cup final or seeing Wales in the world cup final?
“It’s a very easy question – seeing my country in the final. We were so close to getting there in 2011 and 2015 too. Your country always comes first whatever sport you play but the next best thing I suppose was to get to referee there and it was a privilege and honour to represent my country, my community and everyone involved in refereeing and Welsh rugby on that stage.

“My whole village of Mynyddcerrig was just unbelievable that week, it was like a carnival! There was something on every day, the club was packed out every night, there were people driving from places like Pontypridd, Merthyr, Aberystwyth and Cardigan because the club had featured on TV that week and they wanted to be part of it. It was unbelievable what that meant for my community and my dad in particular or something very, very special and that’s what made the world cup final so special for me. The only thing I regret is that I couldn’t be there with them to enjoy it all!”

“I have so many people to thank from Clive Norling, who was the WRU referees manager who gave me my first opportunity, Derek Bevan was my coach for years and other people were a help in different ways from the likes of Bob Yeman and Clayton Thomas, to characters like Alyn West in Llanelli & District. It’s an ongoing process and you learn something from everyone who helps, coaches or assesses you over the years. I’m so grateful to so many different people, I owe the people in rugby and the sport so much and I want to help ensure Wales remains a great officiating nation as it always has been.

“My upbringing too had a big influence on me. Humour and Welshness are a big part of who I am. I was on stage in Mynyddcerrig Club at 14 doing stand-up comedy and I did public speaking with the Young Farmers movement. There’s no doubt that grounding helped my communication skills as a referee.”

On inclusion in rugby:
“Unless you are allowed to be yourself and happy in yourself, you can’t enjoy life or be the best you can be.
“It’s important that we are all treated the same and that we’re judged on our character and nothing else. Not on the colour of your skin, your sexuality, religious beliefs or wherever you come from.

“Those issues did hinder my life growing up and put me in a very dark place for quite a long period in my teens and early 20s but I got a second chance, was allowed to be who I am and I think it’s hugely important everyone gets that opportunity.

“One of the most important values and ethos of rugby union to me is the value of respect. I think today’s society lacks respect but I believe rugby values respect better than any other sport in the world. We can’t take the moral high ground as there are a lot of things that rugby can improve on, but one thing is certain, it does lead on inclusiveness, diversity, fair play and equality for all and that is something I’m very proud to be part of.”

Advice for players
“I would tell any young players, in particular those who have an ambition to make it to the international stage and don’t quite make it for whatever different reason, that refereeing is certainly the next best thing.

“I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve travelled all over the world for the best part of the last 20 years, I’ve played a small part in some of rugby’s greatest occasions and you could be a part of that too if you take up the whistle. We are here to support you. You won’t regret it if it’s something you enjoy and become passionate about. It’s not for everyone, but with a lot of time and effort, it can be hugely enjoyable so I would encourage anyone to give it a good to give it a go.”

WRU chairman Rob Butcher added, “It’s a truly fantastic achievement for a referee to get to 100 caps. Moreover, Nigel has always been and still is a fantastic ambassador for Welsh rugby throughout the world. He’s a role model for many, not only for his refereeing but his communication and the way he conducts all aspects of his life.

“Along with most rugby playing nations, we need to keep recruiting referees, and who better than Nigel to inspire future Welsh match officials. You may not make it as far as you’d like as a player. If that’s the case, why not try refereeing – not necessarily at international level, but whatever your standard may be.”

Nigel Owens’ international career in stats
Nigel Owens refereed his 100th international 17 years after his test debut in February 2003 when he was in the middle for Portugal versus Georgia in Lisbon.
He claimed his 50th cap on 24 November 2012 when he took charge of Ireland v New Zealand in Dublin.
He surpassed Jonathan Kaplan as the most-capped referee when winning his 71st Test cap on 11 June 2016 in Suva when Fiji hosted Tonga.
He was awarded the 2015 Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia on 31 October, 2015.
He was the first referee to reach 100 Tests when in the middle of France v Italy in Paris on 28 November 2020

STATS
Tests as referee: 100
Tests as assistant referee: 101
Tests as TMO: 9
Total: 209
Yellow cards: 58
Red cards: 3
First yellow card: Daisuke Ohata (Japan, v Ireland on 12 June, 2005)
First red card: Napolioni Nalaga (Pacific Islanders, v France on 15 November, 2008) Tries scored in his tests: 495 – ever test has had at least one try scored in it
Points scored in his tests: 4,591
Four Rugby World Cups
Rugby World Cup matches as referee: 19
Record-holder for most Six Nations matches as referee: 21
World Rugby Referee Award recipient in 2015

TEAMS REFEREED
Number of teams refereed: 25. Portugal, Georgia, Japan, Ireland, Argentina, Samoa, Uruguay, Italy, Australia, Morocco, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Romania, Fiji, France, Pacific Islanders, South Africa, Russia, Canada, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tonga, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica
Team refereed the most: New Zealand, 25 tests from 2007-19
Top five teams by Tests: New Zealand (25), England (24), France (24), Ireland (20), Australia (19) Only 13 tests have not involved a Six Nations or Rugby Championship team

Sport

Swifts eyes on double.

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Herald Sport

Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.

Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.

Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.

However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.

Sport

Tenby hit five against downbeat Bridge

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2024

Herald Sport

On a beautiful day in Tenby, the hosts welcomed Merlins Bridge to The Clicketts, fresh from their West Wales semi final defeat midweek.

The Bridge squad was missing some influential players after picking up some injuries and the visiting team asked questions over the fitness of the pitch, which, according to the Bridge management, was too hard.

The referee waved these away and the game was on, with the Tenby squad clearly thinking they were already in the heads of the Bridge team.

Almost straight from Kick off Tenby set their stall out with some great attacking play, which Jerome Mansbridge benefitted from in just the second minute putting the home team ahead.

The bridge players weren’t at the races and Tenby capitalised scoring a further 4 first half goals, including a Mansbridge hat trick, leaving the away team bewildered and 5-0 down at half time.

What could have been a hugely embarrassing defeat for a team that harboured title hopes at the beginning of the season, turned around somewhat at half time, when Dai Davies, the club captain, almost singlehandedly dragged them to a much higher level in the second half, ensuring his players kept their discipline and worked hard against a very good Tenby team. Undoubtedly Merlin’s Bridge were the better team in the second period, but the damage had already been done in the first half, and despite Bridges best efforts, the score remained 5-0 to the home team.

In a game which saw Tenby jump to 4th in the league, they can be hugely proud of their season and will look to build on that for their next in Division one.

A fantastic game on a beautiful day with a good home crowd watching, the team from the Clicketts will be justifiably happy with their afternoons work.

Tenby 5-0 Merlins Bridge.

Sport

Preseli poses a challenge for novice crews

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2024

Richard Lewis

THE END of April will see the popular novice night rally organised by the Teifi Valley Motor Club being held in Pembrokeshire. On the weekend of 27th and 28th April, Rali Bro Preseli will see 75 novice crews tackling the winding and challenging roads that Pembrokeshire has to offer.

Clerks of the Course, father and son Richard and Jason Davies along with Aled Richards have a terrific route lined up for competitors. Starting as usual at the Crymych Mart, the route will appeal to all novice drivers and navigators.

“It will offer a bit of everything. It will be challenging but easy to follow with some whites thrown in the mix. Aled has designed the whole route and we’ve done the donkey work,” said Jason, now in his second year as Clerk of the Course.

As regular competitors, Jason and Richard wanted to give something back to the sport and they enjoy being on the organising side of the things.

Jason, who won the Bro Preseli with his father in 2013, explained: “We’ve competed in the Preseli on several occasions, and we decided to give something back to the sport and that’s why dad and I thought it would be a good idea to help.

“It’s interesting to see how it all comes together and the work involved, and there’s a lot of that,”

He also won the event with Tim Hand in 2016 and was fourth overall in 2019.

Aled Richards, Joint Clerk of the Course, knows the routes of Rali Bro Preseli like the back of his hand having only ever missed it once since its formation in 2003. He’s driven on four of them in 2005 – 2008 with the best result of a 4th place with Arwel Jenkins in the navigator seat.

Aled has been Chief Marshal on Rali Bro Preseli since 2013 before moving on to being Clerk of the Course this year and competitors can look forward to a great event.

Aled told the Herald: “This is the first time I’ve been Clerk of the Course, but we have a good team with Dylan Davies as Chief Marshal and Olwen Davies as Secretary.

“I live some 30 miles away from the actual route, but we’ve been around it twice and I’m confident it will be a good yet challenging night. Some of the whites are currently waterlogged but the farmers have been brilliant and offered to help clear the tracks before the event and we are very grateful.”

The rally, kindly sponsored by Arjay Factors and Home James Taxis, will have four official Spectator Points on the night and the locations will be available at signing on.

The Clerks of the Course and the Teifi Valley Motor Club would like to thank all those who have helped to organise the event – landowners, homes en route, petrol at Brian Llewellyn a’i Ferched, and the start and finish venues – Crymych Mart and the Teifi Waterside Hotel.