Lions vs Waratahs referee in tears during TV interview over guilt

Saturday, 05 July 2025 at 06:41

byRugby Rucker

Who is Lions vs Waratahs referee Paul Williams?

As the Lions and Waratahs square off this weekend, the man with the whistle will be New Zealand’s Paul Williams—a familiar face (and voice) to Super Rugby fans and one of the most experienced referees on the international circuit. Here’s everything you need to know before kick‑off.

Quick‑fire facts

Age: 40 (born on 8 April 1985 in Auckland)
Position when playing: Scrum‑half
Started refereeing: 2011 (while still playing club rugby)
First Test: Italy v Scotland, Singapore (2017)
Rugby World Cups: 2019 (Japan) & 2023 (France)
Notable milestone: First NZ‑born referee to take charge of an All Blacks Test (Bledisloe I, 2020)

From club half‑back to Test match official

Williams picked up the whistle in 2011, juggling refereeing with scrum‑half duties at his local club. His natural feel for the game saw him fast‑tracked into New Zealand’s High Performance squad just three years later, and by 2016 he was a full‑time member of the Super Rugby panel. That same season he took charge of the World Rugby U20 Championship final—England v Ireland—before earning his Test stripes in Singapore a year on.

On the biggest stage

2019 Rugby World Cup (Japan): Selected among the elite 12‑strong refereeing team.
Historic All Blacks debut (2020): Oversaw Bledisloe I in Wellington, becoming the first Kiwi to referee his own national side.
2023 Rugby World Cup (France): Returned for a second global tournament, later lifting the lid on the emotional toll of life on the road in World Rugby’s Whistleblowers documentary.

“Rugby has given me everything, but I’ve been guilty of spending less time with those closest to me,” he admitted through tears—revealing the sacrifices behind the spotlight.

Flashpoints & headlines

Ronan O’Gara showdown (2024): The La Rochelle boss blasted Williams after a Top 14 defeat to Toulon, warning he’d “be in court soon regarding the refereeing” amid complaints over croc‑rolls and neck‑holds.
Springbok storm (2022): South African media famously called for Williams to be “banished to the bush leagues” following Australia v South Africa, furious at a yellow card to Faf de Klerk and perceived Wallaby “spoiling tactics”.

Love him or loathe him, Williams is never far from the conversation—exactly what you’d expect from the man tasked with keeping order when the Lions and Waratahs collide.

"Mediocre" - Four Lions players who flopped against the Waratahs

low, we pick out four Lions players who failed to impress in Sydney…

#1. Hugo Keenan

Keenan’s Lions debut was disappointing, marked by rust and errors after illness and missed game time. He dropped an early ball, missed a key tackle for a try, and struggled under the high ball. Despite a few strong carries, his defensive lapses stood out. Average rating: 4.5/10.

BALLS 4/10: "Early knock-on almost cost a breakaway try. Missed his last-man tackle on Darby Lancaster. Missed an aerial take, too. Made 32 metres on his six carries, with one defender beaten. Rusty. The one positive? He is an official Lion, now."

Telegraph 4/10: "Off the pace. A long-awaited first appearance started with a nearly costly drop and he missed a one-on-one tackle for the Waratahs’ first score."

RUCK 5/10: "Finally Keenan got his long awaited Lions debut after pulling out of Wednesday’s match due illness. But it was incredibly frustrating from him as early in the encounter he knocked the ball on and got bumped off by Darby Lancaster who scored the hosts’ first. No surprise that he was replaced early in the second half by Duhan van der Merwe."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Making his Lions debut after having to withdraw from the victory over the Reds with an illness, and maybe showed a lack of match sharpness, which is unsurprising after also missing the end of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship campaign. Overran a Sione Tuipulotu pass and the home side pounced on the fumble in the early stages and spilt a few high balls. Slipped off a tackle on Darby Lancaster as the hosts scored their first try. Only given 50 minutes in his comeback, but will want another match to prove himself."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "The rustiness was clear to see with the full-back missing the end of Leinster’s season and was denied a Lions debut against the Queensland Reds due to illness. His inability to keep his breakfast down obviously impacted his time on the training paddock, and it showed. He was livid about his missed tackle on Darby Lancaster, and rightly so; he is usually better than that. Somewhat of a mare for the Irishman"

Mail Online 5/10: "Missed Reds win due to illness and he looked like a man short of recent game-time. Defensive lapse gifted the hosts a try and shaky under the high ball."

Replacement: James Lowe (move Blair Kinghorn to fullback)

#2. James Ryan

Struggled to match his second-row partner’s impact, despite solid lineout work and physicality in rucks. Offered little elsewhere and was substituted early in the second half. Average rating: 5/10.

RUCK 5/10: "A little bit frantic early on misplacing catches did work well with Cowan-Dickie at lineout time.Made the odd big hit in defence but couldn’t replicate what his counterpart in the second row was doing and was replaced by Joe McCarthy early in the second half."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Played his part in a functioning lineout and while he was abrasive in the rucks, he offered little else around the park and was hooked off early in the second half."

Telegraph 5/10: "Outshone by Cummings for most of the game despite one powerful tackle near the Lions try-line. Taken off early despite relatively few minutes on tour."

#3. Tadhg Beirne

Stepped in as captain and shifted to blindside, but couldn’t impose himself. Showed some tidy moments, yet lacked his usual impact at the breakdown. A quiet outing overall. Average rating: 5/10.

Telegraph 5/10: "Shifted from lock to blindside, the captain for the day showed his class with a couple of nice early touches but he failed to fully assert himself. Form is becoming a slight concern."

Mail Online 5/10: "Captain for the night but he wasn’t an imposing presence on this occasion. So often a ruck asset for Ireland, but he was eclipsed in that area for once."

Balls 5/10: "Captaincy was a big honour. Had to adjust to late switch from second row to blindside. Tidy enough, but no punching impacts or big breakdown wins. Turned over, on the deck, inside the Tahs 22. Late knock-on."

Replacement: Tom Curry

#4. Fin Smith

Under pressure with Owen Farrell watching on, Smith delivered a flat performance. Lacked his usual control and composure, forcing plays in the second half and struggling to handle defensive pressure. Average rating: 5/10.

Mail Online 5/10: "Just wasn’t his night. With Owen Farrell looming in the stand, as a new threat, England’s first-choice No 10 lacked his usual authority, precision and vision."

Telegraph 5/10: "With the spectre of Owen Farrell looming, he responded with a mediocre showing. Tried to force it in the second half, and that only made it worse."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The arrival of Owen Farrell in the Lions squad has put the fly-halves on notice and with his first opportunity to impress, Smith struggled. The Waratahs managed to swim through the attack and put pressure on the playmaker and forced errors from him with many of his passes hitting the deck. Replaced before the final quarter with Marcus Smith given a run at fly-half. The pressure is on the number 10s, and today, Smith wilted"

Replacement: Finn Russell

Can you name every member of the 2017 British and Irish Lions?

From thrilling tries to hard-fought battles against the All Blacks, this squad etched their names in rugby history by securing a memorable drawn series.

Think you know everything about this iconic group of players? Test your knowledge with our quiz and see if you're a true Lions fan! Whether you're a casual supporter or a rugby fanatic, it's time to roar with pride and prove your Lions IQ.

Get ready to dive into questions about the players, their clubs, and the unforgettable tour moments. Let’s kick off!

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