Wayne Barnes and his wife, Polly Barnes, have been in the spotlight following the Rugby World Cup final due to social media threats.

Polly Barnes’ Biography, Wiki and Facts

Polly Barnes is the wife of Wayne Barnes, a retired English international rugby union referee. They were childhood pals and had known each other for the most of their lives. They began dating in their mid-20s and married in the early 2000s 1. And they are the parents of two children, Juno and Beau.

He was chosen as the referee for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and South Africa in October 2023. His wife allegedly got death threats after the contest.

Barnes retired on November 2, 2023, following social media abuse following the Rugby World Cup final, capping off a great career spanning 111 Test matches.

You may also read: Greg O’Shea – Are Love Island Winner Greg and Amber Gill Dating in Actual? Age, Bio, Wiki, Career, Net Worth, Nationality & Instagram

Wayne and Polly Barnes have known each other for the majority of their lives.

Despite being childhood friends, they only began dating in their mid-20s. Nonetheless, they are married and loving parents to their two children.

Wayne Barnes is a retired English international rugby union referee who was born on April 20, 1979 in Bream, Gloucestershire.

Branes began his refereeing career at the age of 15 with Gloucester & District Referees. At the age of 21, he became the youngest referee selected to the Panel of National Referees.

Barnes has been a professional referee since April 2005, officiating at prestigious competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, and Heineken Cup.

Despite criticism during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, he kept making progress. He oversaw the Heineken Cup Final in 2010 and will supervise his 250th Premiership Rugby match in 2022.

Barnes, a criminal barrister and partner at Squire Patton Boggs, will describe his story in his memoirs “Throwing the Book,” which will be released on November 9, 2023.

Who Is Wayne Barnes Wife, Polly Barnes?

Wayne Barnes married his lifelong love, Polly Barnes, and they now live in London. They supposedly married in the early 2000s and have been together ever since.

Polly, too, has had a deep connection to rugby her whole life, from her first introduction to the sport to her current job as a co-founder and director of the Women’s Rugby Association.

Mrs. Barnes was a rugby player who began playing when she was about eleven years old. She had to give up rugby, however, since she wanted to study ballet and modern dance.

Polly met Wayne when she was eleven years old, and her husband when he was sixteen. In order to delve deeper into their relationship, the retired rugby union referee began asking Polly when she was approximately sixteen.

Polly finally succumbed to Wayne’s persistent efforts around the age of 24. The Barneses are now the delighted parents of two little children named Juno and Beau.

Online Threats Against The Family

Wayne Barnes’ most recent match was one of his most difficult. In the 12-11 loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final, he issued the first red card to New Zealand captain Sam Cane.

Following the setback, New Zealand fans began hurling insults at the 44-year-old referee. A few days later, Barnes announced his retirement from refereeing.

Wayne has spoken out against social media harassment, calling it ‘evil’ and demanding action. He told BBC Sports, “When people make threats against your wife and kids, they should be held accountable and punished.”

“Threats of sexual violence, threats of saying we know where you live,” Barnes added. It goes over that line.”

Furthermore, Wayne claims that he uses social media to promote charitable work and officiating, highlighting the difficulties of the job and humanizing it.

He went on to say, “I make that choice, and with that choice comes the ability for people to send messages of hate and violence.”

Barnes hopes that his experience and retirement will help the next generation of referees face similar problems.