The strange and wonderful day jobs of the 2023 Six Nations referee's revealed

Thursday, 05 January 2023 at 10:16

byRugby Rucker

Karl Dickson will be the man in the middle for the opening match of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations with the rest of the match officials for all games confirmed.

New Zealander James Doleman will make his Championship debut in charge of England v Italy at Twickenham in Round 2.

And English official Wayne Barnes is set to appear in his 17th Guinness Six Nations and the clash between Ireland and France on February 11 will be his 26th match in Championship history.

Rounding off Rugby’s Greatest Championship is South African Jaco Peyper for the showdown between Ireland and England in Dublin on March 18.

World Rugby Selection Committee Chairman Graham Mourie said: “As we enter a men’s Rugby World Cup year, our focus is very much on performance and culture as we begin to consider selections for France 2023.

“The more time we have with the group, the better it is for everyone, and we constantly challenge ourselves to be better, to achieve alignment and consistency and strengthen understanding with the teams.

“As with the November tests and The Rugby Championship, the Guinness Six Nations represents another opportunity for a talented group of match officials with a superb work ethic to help facilitate more excellent tests in what is probably the most competitive period in men’s rankings history.”

However, behind the glitz and glamour of the Six Nations, many world-class referees have had to work around the clock to fulfill their rugby dream.

Day jobs of the 2023 Six Nations:

#1. Ben O'Keeffe

Manu Tuilagi of England is shown a red card and sent off by Referee, Ben O'Keeffe during the Guinness Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 7 2020. - PHOTO: Cameron Geran/PPAUK

Age: 34

Nationality: New Zealand

Occupation: Eye Doctor

Six Nations games: England v France

One of New Zealand's six full-time referees, O'Keeffe is also a qualified doctor specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with eye health and disease.

Ben O'Keeffe facts:

O'Keeffe became an amateur referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19

He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys' College where he was head boy in 2006.

O'Keeffe's brother, Michael O'Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football

Ben O'Keeffe toughest player to referee: Ma'a Nonu

O'Keeffe said: "I think like Ma’a Nonu, yeah he was pretty tough. I’ve noticed over the last few years that players are just a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger.

"I trained with the Highlanders pre-season one year and you get a real appreciation of how big, fit and hard they hit. That just remind me why I just I love refereeing – so I don’t have to take those big hits."

#2. Wayne Barnes

Referee, Wayne Barnes during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 29 Jan. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Age: 43

Nationality: English

Occupation: Barrister

Six Nations games: Ireland v France

The 41-year-old is an English international rugby union referee and barrister. It was law he studied at university and a career as a barrister he pursued after graduating, but as he started to progress up the ranks as a referee the RFU offered to employ him in 2005. He’s now refereed more Premiership games than any other official.

Wayne Barnes facts:

When not on the pitch or working with the England team, Barnes is a practising barrister
Barnes started playing rugby at the age of eight, and took up refereeing aged 15 with Gloucester & District Referees
He also has two young children, Juno and Beau with wife Polly.

Wayne Barnes toughest player to referee Richie McCaw

BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”

#3. Jaco Peyper

Referee, Jaco Peyper watches the TMO for a potential shoulder charge during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

Age: 42

Nationality: South African

Occupation: Lawyer

Six Nations games: Ireland v England

The 38-year-old still operates as an attorney for his family business, Peyper Attorneys while continuing to be one of the worlds best referees.

#4. Andrew Brace

Referee, Andrew Brace consults with the TMO after a tackle in the air by Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa on Joe Marchant of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Age: 34

Nationality: Irish/Welsh

Occupation: Musician

Six Nations games: Scotland vs Wales

He is a grade eight violinist. His violin teacher was the mother of TV presenter Gethin Jones.

Andrew Brace toughest player to referee: Marcel Coetzee

Brace said: “ I think one of the toughest players I’ve refereed would be Marcel Coetzee. He’s such a physical player who never takes a backward step.”

#5. Nigel Owens

Referee, Nigel Owens during the Heineken Champions Cup Final Match between Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 at Ashton Gate, Bristol on the 17 Oct. PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Age: 51

Nationality: Welsh

Occupation: Farmer

Six Nations games: Pundit

The popular Welshman had an interest in farming since he was a young kid and it has always played a huge part in his life away from the rugby field.

Over the years, Owens has been able to save up to buy his own farm with his partner Barrie and so far they've built up 26 pedigree Hereford cattle.

Nigel Owens facts:

Owens was born and raised in the village of Mynyddcerrig, near Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire

In May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with Wales on Sunday

His long-term partner is Barrie Jones-Davies, a primary school teacher from Llandovery

Owens started refereeing in 1987, after his sports teacher John Beynon suggested he take up refereeing after a school game

His first game was an under-15s match between Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire at the age of 16

Nigel Owens toughest player to referee: Austin Healey

OWENS SAID: “Definitely. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully. A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him. He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”