RUGBY ICONS LINE UP TO SALUTE OWENS
NIGEL Owens has been saluted by the world’s rugby royalty for reaching a century of Tests as a referee.
The Gwendraeth Valley official became the first referee to reach the milestone when he took charge of the Autumn Nations Cup match between France and Italy at Stade de France.
And in a series of video messages, Owens was showered with praise from the likes of former Wales coach Warren Gatland, England supremo Eddie Jones, All Blacks skipper Sam Cane and fellow referee Wayne Barnes. Cane said: “It’s an incredible achievement. “I’ve always admired the way you never take yourself too seriously but you’re an ultimate professional.
“You are a great man to have involved in our wonderful sport.”
And Gatland, who will lead the Lions on their tour of South Africa next summer, said: “What you’ve achieved for Welsh rugby and world rugby is outstanding.
“What you’ve contributed to the game is absolutely outstanding.”
South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus congratulated Owens on the example he has set, both on and off the field.
He said: “From all of South Africa, the rugby public and all the supporters and players we’d like to thank you and congratulate you on your achievement.
“I’d like to congratulate you, not just on this Test but on the way you’ve always carried yourself.”
Owens, who hails from Mynyddcerrig, took charge of his first international in February 2003 when he was in the middle for the game between Portugal and Georgia.
He refereed the World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham in 2015 and a year later surpassed Jonathan Kaplan as the world’s most-capped referee with 71 internationals to his name when he was in charge of the Fiji v Tonga game in Suva.
Owens has dished out three red cards in his international career, while there has been at least one try scored in every Test he has refereed.
English official Barnes, likely to be the next referee to pass the 100-Test landmark, added: “I’ve always admired the way you add value to a game, no matter how hard or how intense those matches are.
“You’ve raised the bar for us all and we’ve all had to try to keep up with you over the years.”