Nigel Owens becomes first gay man to referee Rugby World Cup final

Welshman Nigel Owens will referee the match between New Zealand and Australia this week.

Media reports circulated on Sunday that the Welsh whistleman had been given the job of handling the showdown between the All Blacks and Wallabies at Twickenham.

His assistants will be the semifinal refs, Jerome Garces of France and Wayne Barnes of England.

No appointment will be officially made by World Rugby until Tuesday, but Fox is confident that Owens will take charge of the showpiece final.

The enormity of the occasion is clearly not lost on the man in the middle, who’ll have to make the tough calls in a World Cup that has so far seen referring decisions heavily criticised. The quality of rugby on display has been incredible in front of packed venues and so to be given the opportunity to referee the final match between the best two teams in the tournament is an wonderful honour.

Owens is widely regarded as the best referee in the game, in part for his communication skills and witty one-liners.

Owens’ fellow Welshman Derek Bevan was in charge at Twickenham 24 years ago when Australia beat England, while England’s Ed Morrison was appointed to the 1995 final between South Africa and New Zealand, with Irishman Alain Rolland officiating the England versus South Africa 2007 final.

But one of the key things he does, apart from communicating incredibly well with players, is that he lets the breakdown breathe.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s John Lacey will referee Friday night’s bronze final between South Africa and Argentina at Olympic Park.

He will be assisted by Kiwi duo Glen Jackson and Chris Pollock.