End clap.
Welshman Nigel Owens, the world's best-known rugby referee, ends his international career at the age of 49, the Welsh Federation (WRU) announced on Friday.
He had become, during the France-Italy match during the Autumn Nations Cup, the first referee to lead 100 matches on the international scene.
On this occasion, Bernard Laporte, the president of the FFR, offered him a whistle… in gold!
“No one has the divine right to want to last forever.
There comes a time when it's time to move on and refereeing internationally is now over, this France-Italy match was my last test.
Going out of 100 (matches) is the right time.
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Nigel Owens, the star of the referees," saved by rugby "
The one who made his international debut in February 2003, at the whistle for a Portugal-Georgia, adds: "I will not be there for 2023 (and the World Cup in France, Editor's note), I don't want to be.
I still hope to referee in Pro 14 (ex-Celtic League) and locally in Wales this season and maybe next too.
I will definitely continue to officiate in my community, because when you're really lucky to get so much out of something, I think it's extremely important that you give it back. ”
After having officiated in the superb final of the 2015 World Cup which saw the victory of the All Blacks over the Wallabies, he had not hesitated to go to referee a match at the amateur level in Wales.
“Rugby saved my life. I would like to tell myself that I have made my contribution to this sport over the years and, if so, then I am happy ”
Nigel owens
Nigel Owens will have marked the history of rugby by his way of refereeing.
He did not hesitate to use humor and derision to reframe players who complained about him.
An offbeat tone that he also uses on his Twitter account where he is very active.
The Welshman has also gone beyond the world of rugby by having the courage to reveal his homosexuality and to confide the torments he had gone through before his coming out.
Admitting that he had even attempted suicide.
“I spent nearly ten years pretending I was another person and it almost cost me my life,” he said before his 100th game.
Since that day, since I was given this second chance, I have always said to myself: be yourself. "
Nigel Owens gave a yellow card to a ball collector who accidentally threw a ball at him
pic.twitter.com/eCOvI4PUgS
- Marius B. (@tatamirugby) March 5, 2017
He recognizes it today: “Rugby saved my life.
I would like to tell myself that I have made my contribution to this sport over the years and, if so, then I am happy.
Because, believe me, I owe more to rugby and the rugby people than rugby will ever owe me.
Without this great sport, I could not be who I am today… ”Sometimes his decisions were hard to accept by some French supporters, whether in club or in the French team, but one thing is certain, Nigel Owens is going to leave a great void on the Oval Planet.
This weekend my mate @Nigelrefowens will ref his 845th @ChampionsCup final.
Amazing achievement.
Nige, to celebrate I thought you could share your pre-match prep with the world.
Pob lwc & go well!
pic.twitter.com/742QHP9uga
- Wayne Barnes (@WayneBarnesRef) October 13, 2020
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