Have a look at the salary and net worth of referee Wayne Barnes
Wayne Barnes, a seasoned referee, will be officiating the Rugby World Cup final this Saturday, showcasing his wealth of experience in maintaining order on the rugby field.
Who is Wayne Barnes Rugby World Cup 2023 final referee, salary, net worth, wife, day job and age
In addition to his role in the world of sports, Barnes leads a dual career as a criminal barrister. Aged 44, Barnes is about to preside over his first-ever Rugby World Cup final, despite having previously officiated matches in the 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 tournaments, even during his early years at just 28.
It is the greatest honour of my career to be given the responsibility of refereeing a Rugby World Cup final 2023. https://t.co/bZ3O1mezuS
— Wayne Barnes (@WayneBarnesRef) October 23, 2023
Wayne Barnes has been appointed as the referee for the #RWCFinal for the first time 👏#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/QYLBxcFfkO
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 23, 2023
During the ongoing France 2023 tournament, Barnes has already overseen five matches, including the thrilling New Zealand quarter-final victory over Ireland, and he has also served as an assistant referee in two other games.
His credentials and capabilities have earned him the trust of World Rugby for the momentous occasion when the All Blacks take on South Africa at the Stade de France.
Barnes’ journey into refereeing began during his school days, and upon receiving the news of his appointment for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, he expressed his gratitude, tweeting, “It is the greatest honor of my career to be given the responsibility of refereeing a Rugby World Cup final 2023.”
Wayne is married to wife Polly Barnes whom he has known since he was aged 11 and has two children, a boy and a girl with. His wife has worked for a long time in marketing and communications and has specialised in sports and women’s sport.
Wayne Barnes is one of the highest-paid rugby referees who makes $1.5k per match and $200k annually with his net worth between $1-5 million.
Wayne Barnes Referee Career
Despite his impressive refereeing career, which includes 110 test matches, the highest among all referees, Barnes will soon return to his weekday profession as a partner at the London law firm Squire Patton Boggs.
He joined this firm in January 2022, following extended tenures at 3 Temple Gardens and Fulcrum after completing his studies at the University of East Anglia in 2001.
In his legal practice, Barnes specializes in areas such as publishing, sports, logistics, energy, infrastructure, and natural resources, while also conducting investigations and reviews for organizations like the British Judo Association, England Boxing, and England Hockey.
Reflecting on his dual career, Barnes shared in a 2018 interview, “On Monday and Tuesday, we’ll do reviews and training as a referees group. On Wednesday, I try to be in the chambers in town most of the time.
“Then it depends on what the weekend is looking like. If it’s a Premiership game, I’ll likely be in chambers on Thursday too; if it’s a European week, I’ll probably be traveling. It’s important to get away from rugby at times, and this (being a barrister) is a good way to switch off.”
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