Barnes helped to make this a compelling game JONATHAN KAPLAN

This was an epic Test between two magnificent sides, but we should not overlook the part Wayne Barnes played in making it such a compelling contest. I have previously thought he had room for improvement but he was excellent, refereeing with empathy and understanding, both of the teams and the occasion. He had clearly done his homework and knew neither side would give much away, which meant his decision-making had to be spot on. With one exception, I thought he did exactly that.

He had some help, too, and after a couple of tough weeks for the television match official the decision to disallow Rob Kearney’s first-half score was an example of technology at its best. Wayne’s on-field decision was to award the try, but the replay showed a clear knock-on and it was rightly chalked off.

Some Irish fans thought Wayne should have shown the All Blacks a yellow card for giving away eight penalties in the opening 40 minutes but I disagreed. These were not cynical infringements and I did not feel they were in the type of quantity that necessitated 10 minutes in the bin. To issue a warning only at the end of the half was entirely the correct decision.

The only time I disagreed with Wayne was when Kearney took out Rieko Ioane in the air. To me it is either an accidental collision and play on, or an act of dangerous play and a yellow card. Wayne awarded a penalty only and I would be interested to know how he came to that conclusion, because I would have shown Kearney a yellow.

Since the last World Cup Wayne, Nigel Owens and Jerome Garces have easily been the best three referees in the world, and I would expect one of them to be in charge of the final in Japan next year.