Great, more spice to the tour..... Barnes to ref NZv France

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10873883

When you lose to France try not to send any death threats to Barnesy this time.

We probably wont lose. It's not a qualification game to play England. We might be ok......

Based on their 6N performance Barnes would have to have both eyes closed this time...

Well if he closes both eyes the All Blacks can throw a few forward passes as well?

You bet, Crudens got it down to a fine art...even fooled the TMO in replayed slo mo last week...

Saw that. Hence my comment.

well now we've got an excuse if we lose

So we can take it then that the All Blacks still hold a grudge against Barnes after 6 YEARS.

Come on guys get over it. And they say England are sore losers.

Its not Barnes that Ive got a grudge against, its the eye gougers that I hate.

Taylorman wrote:Based on their 6N performance Barnes would have to have both eyes closed this time...

That may explain Barnes performances in recent times.

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Its not Barnes that Ive got a grudge against, its the eye gougers that I hate.

all the Frogs or just Rougerie?

I don't think I could hate them again unless they break our Eden Park unbeaten run or knock us out of the RWC again. Going through that last half hour of the final sitting in the stands, then watching the game again countless times has generated a respect for the French

I happy admit I won't get over that game Madge. But I know it was just one of those games where everything that could have gone wrong did-and despite being good enough to wallop everyone the two years previous we weren't good enough to get out of the shoite with three measly points. No grudge against Barnes at all.

Wonder if Joubert's got one lol. I'm sure the French will say it's 1-1 then. I don't mind Barnes getting a test. Has been over five years. Hope the guy has a good game.

It's a bit tongue in cheek really. It is one of those games that sticks with most kiwis who watched it. He did have an abysmal game so it's going to be remembered. He's reffed us since then, including here, so in terms of his refereeing I've moved on.

Yeah me too, looking forward to his warm welcoming though (is it in ChCh?).

I go by McCaws explanation for Barnes which was something like ...' He was as white as a ghost, wasnt up for the occasion and simply froze' For me that explains everything he did or didnt do that day. Refs simply find sporting occasions stressful as well- just the way it is. McCaw said every time he looked at Barnes he looked pale and unsure- scared almost.

BL was similar in the Bok vs Oz match apparently- even by his own comments.

We easily forgive players for succumbing to pressure but not refs as easily it seems...

Walsh is free...perhaps a reunion with Melanie can be arranged...over a cold one...outta here...