The best ref ever he's got great sense of humor but most of all he respects the players and they respect him back he's been around for a long time great character
He came out in 2007 when he was already one of the top international rugby referees, which as you can imagine was a pretty big deal but the reaction was largely supportive. Hence the ‘I’m straighter than that was’ comment about the line-out throw.
I seem to remember seeing an interview with him when he spoke about coming out he had apparently attempted to remove himself from the world and it was his Mum who asked him why he had done it and he explained to his mum he was gay and didn't know how to cope with his feelings his Mum said something along the lines of " I know, I've known for years but if you ever try that again I'll kill you" I think we know where his humour comes from 💕
Nigel is now retired but still talks rugby so look that one up. His knowledge of the laws is outstanding. The best ref ever, so far. He was also a fantastic ambassador for gay men.
The player whom he asked whether he understood him was Georgian - from the country by the Black Sea - so there might be a bit of language difficulty! He asked a player to wipe his blood on his shirt to get round a difficulty. Modern hygiene rules mean that players can't play while bleeding. Nigel does indeed come from West Wales. Did you notice his accent?
Nigel is Welsh - the whole country knows Rugby, its in the blood. When he said "I'm straighter than that one" it is a joking reference to him being gay.
Nigel played schoolboy rugby for a short time. His coach told him that the team would be better off without him and suggested he pick up a whistle. Nigel took that advise to heart and so started reffing as a schoolboy. That ball boy has been fully grown for years now and to this day people buy him pints because he was that ball boy that Nigel carded. In professional matches the ref, touch judges and TMO (television match official) have a communication system to communicate if they need a replay to verify scores or penalties that might occur where the ref isn't looking. Spectators can even buy headsets at matches that allow them to listen into that chatter. Evidently the TMO's coms went down and so Nigel rang him up. Must be the TMO because the touch judges are right on the touchline and so they are able to communicate verbally. Argue back??? There is NO argument. Even if the ref is totally bonkers you live with it. That's life. I remember this time that the opposition kicked the ball into my ingoal. I ran over and downed the ball. The whistle blew and the ref called out "22 dropout". That means that the ball is dead until play restarts when someone on my teams dropkicks the ball across our 22. Any way I spot my flyhalf (the guy who handled our dropouts) close to the 22 so I throw him the ball. The whistle blew again and the ref called out "Thrown forward. Attacking 5 meter scrum." ???? Sir, the ball was dead. You're allowed to throw a dead ball anywhere unless as a ploy to delay play. He stuck to his guns. Even our opponents were shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders.
When he said at the line out ‘I’m straighter than that one’ he was referring to the fact that he was a homosexual. Yes he played rugby at school but realised early reffing was easier on the body!
You picked up his qualities very quickly. There's nothing worse than a ref who doesn't have confidence in themselves and isn't fair or consistent otherwise the players lose confidence in the decision making and confusion ensues.
Big rugby fan but not so much of Nigel.... he thinks 60 000 fans rock up to the stadium to watch him blow the whistle. I like refs that are as invisible as possible,
Best ref ever
The best ref ever he's got great sense of humor but most of all he respects the players and they respect him back he's been around for a long time great character
My fave interaction:
"Christopher!"
"Sorry, sir"
"Thank you."
Genuinely, deservedly and undeniably first....
He came out in 2007 when he was already one of the top international rugby referees, which as you can imagine was a pretty big deal but the reaction was largely supportive.
Hence the ‘I’m straighter than that was’ comment about the line-out throw.
I seem to remember seeing an interview with him when he spoke about coming out he had apparently attempted to remove himself from the world and it was his Mum who asked him why he had done it and he explained to his mum he was gay and didn't know how to cope with his feelings his Mum said something along the lines of " I know, I've known for years but if you ever try that again I'll kill you" I think we know where his humour comes from 💕
Nigel is now retired but still talks rugby so look that one up. His knowledge of the laws is outstanding. The best ref ever, so far.
He was also a fantastic ambassador for gay men.
The player whom he asked whether he understood him was Georgian - from the country by the Black Sea - so there might be a bit of language difficulty!
He asked a player to wipe his blood on his shirt to get round a difficulty. Modern hygiene rules mean that players can't play while bleeding.
Nigel does indeed come from West Wales. Did you notice his accent?
Nigel is Welsh - the whole country knows Rugby, its in the blood.
When he said "I'm straighter than that one" it is a joking reference to him being gay.
I love the commwhw a line out was bent and Nigel Owens sats he was straighter tha than out. He is a great guy and is missed a true gentleman ❤❤
Nigel played schoolboy rugby for a short time. His coach told him that the team would be better off without him and suggested he pick up a whistle. Nigel took that advise to heart and so started reffing as a schoolboy.
That ball boy has been fully grown for years now and to this day people buy him pints because he was that ball boy that Nigel carded.
In professional matches the ref, touch judges and TMO (television match official) have a communication system to communicate if they need a replay to verify scores or penalties that might occur where the ref isn't looking. Spectators can even buy headsets at matches that allow them to listen into that chatter. Evidently the TMO's coms went down and so Nigel rang him up. Must be the TMO because the touch judges are right on the touchline and so they are able to communicate verbally.
Argue back??? There is NO argument. Even if the ref is totally bonkers you live with it. That's life.
I remember this time that the opposition kicked the ball into my ingoal. I ran over and downed the ball. The whistle blew and the ref called out "22 dropout". That means that the ball is dead until play restarts when someone on my teams dropkicks the ball across our 22.
Any way I spot my flyhalf (the guy who handled our dropouts) close to the 22 so I throw him the ball. The whistle blew again and the ref called out "Thrown forward. Attacking 5 meter scrum."
???? Sir, the ball was dead. You're allowed to throw a dead ball anywhere unless as a ploy to delay play.
He stuck to his guns. Even our opponents were shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders.
When he said at the line out ‘I’m straighter than that one’ he was referring to the fact that he was a homosexual. Yes he played rugby at school but realised early reffing was easier on the body!
Nigel refs International games. He knows his game.
You picked up his qualities very quickly. There's nothing worse than a ref who doesn't have confidence in themselves and isn't fair or consistent otherwise the players lose confidence in the decision making and confusion ensues.
Not sure I'll ever understand rugby union. West Wales is tolerable.
Big rugby fan but not so much of Nigel.... he thinks 60 000 fans rock up to the stadium to watch him blow the whistle. I like refs that are as invisible as possible,