Welshman Nigel Owens will referee the All Blacks' World Cup quarterfinal match against France in Cardiff on Sunday morning.
The appointment of Owens has put an end to speculation as to whether Wayne Barnes, who controlled the quarterfinal between the All Blacks and France in Cardiff in 2007, would return to take charge of the fixture at Millennium Stadium.
Barnes proved to be a controversial figure in that match, won 20‑18 by France. The loss almost cost coach Graham Henry his job and when he fronted the New Zealand Rugby board to argue why he should keep his position, he made specific mention of the mistakes made by Barnes in that sudden‑death fixture.
Henry kept his job and invited his assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen to continue. They guided the All Blacks to an 8‑7 victory over France in the World Cup final in Auckland in 2011.
Nigel Owens, Jérôme Garcès and Craig Joubert have been appointed to the other three quarterfinals in Cardiff and London this weekend.
The All Black will take on France at 7am Sunday.
In other quarter finals, Ireland will take on Argentina at 12am Monday, the Wallabies will take on Scotland at 3am Monday while South Africa will take on Wales at 3am Sunday.
Source: stuff.co.nz
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