Popular rugby referee’s Nigel Owens and Wayne Barnes have picked out the three stadiums they believe produced the best atmosphere.
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#3. BARNES: PRINCIPALITY STADIUM, CARDIFF
ing about the Millennium Stadium – renamed later as the Principality Stadium – is nigh on perfect save from some early teething problems with the turf which can struggle a little when the roof is on for prolonged periods.
Barnes said: “With the roof closed, there is no better atmosphere.”
Embed from Getty Images#3. OWENS: CROKE PARK, DUBLIN
Owens said: “It’s actually the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association and usually hosts sports like Gaelic football but the stadium was used for rugby briefly while the Aviva Stadium was being built. I refereed Ireland v South Africa and Ireland v France there.
“But that Leinster v Munster match knocked spots off the international matches I refereed there in terms of the atmosphere the stadium generated.
“Another ground that has so much history, though not traditionally in rugby.”
Embed from Getty Images#2. BARNES: SUNCORP STADIUM, BRISBANE
Barnes said: “Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium – A stadium which is built up so it feels as if the spectators are on top of the pitch, I’ve refereed two cracking Bledisloe Cup matches there too.”
Embed from Getty Images#2. OWENS: TWICKENHAM, LONDON
Owens said: “It will always be a special place for me because it’s where I took charge of the World Cup final and my first ever Six Nations match, but there is more to this selection than just that. Surprisingly, for a match where the host nation wasn’t involved, with a lot of neutral supporters in the ground, the atmosphere was special.
“I say neutral supporters but it felt like most people in the ground had chosen a team to support, there can’t have been many who weren’t rooting for one team or the other and that added to the occasion. I remember some of the crowd outside wishing me good luck as we walked into the stadium, which was a nice touch..
“I’ve always enjoyed refereeing at Twickenham. I’ve taken charge of England games many times and I always got a great welcome there. It’s a lovely stadium and it’s always full.”
Embed from Getty Images#1. BARNES: TWICKENHAM, LONDON
Barnes said: “A short stroll from home. In the 2015 RWC semi-final, I walked to the stadium from my house with the other match officials. As I crossed the 316 bridge from the Stoop with my bag over my shoulder, I looked across to the West Car Park and thought this is pretty special.
“It will always be the home of rugby to me,”
#1. OWENS: ELLIS PARK, JOHANNESBURG
Owens said: “I only refereed here once and it was the game I mentioned earlier but it’s a special place for me. The game was South Africa v New Zealand in 2013 and the atmosphere that day was just something to behold.
“The game itself was just unbelievable and played at such a pace, without a doubt the best I ever refereed. The All Blacks won 38-27, there were nine tries and some of them were stunning. The crowd really got into the game, as they always do in South Africa, and it made for a truly special memory.
Embed from Getty Images“The ground itself is not in a great place but there is so much history there with the 1995 World Cup final being played there. They did the same in 2013 as they did in 1995 as well when they flew this massive jumbo jet over the stadium. I was out on the field warming up and it was so low you thought it was going to clip the top of the stand.
‘I remember thinking to myself ‘Wow, what an occasion this is’. The supporters were incredible and it is just one of the great rugby venues anywhere in the world.”
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2
If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
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