Wayne Barnes will be back in the middle of it this summer
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Wynne Gray is eagerley anticipating Wayne Barnes' refereeing appearance on New Zealand soil in The New Zealand Herald.
"At last the wait is over. The dream team is coming to a town near you.Come June 12 when the All Blacks open their domestic campaign in New Plymouth, Wayne Barnes will be in charge. Yep that's right, Wayne Barnes, he of the pale complexion, questionable eyesight and unerring silence after the 2007 World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff.
"Barnes reffed an All Black test against Scotland a year later and has run touch for their games in this part of the world. But, despite vigorous references from International Rugby Board referees' boss Paddy O'Brien, Barnes has not whistled his Acme Thunderer in an All Black test here.
"O'Brien reckoned Barnes was "the brightest star we have on our books" after the World Cup but those stellar qualities were sheltered from twinkling in New Zealand."
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