Waynetta - too familiar??

[tigercaspian]

Watching Quins v Pests......... Sir calling everyone by their first names as if they're all good pals.
Not sure I like that: surely he us meant to 'distance' himself from the players?
Sorry if I'm being a fuddy-duddy but thoughts please?

[Mark62]

I believe it's so players know it's them he's talking to in a ruck etc. Far easier to know it's you than roll away number 5. They still know he's in charge

[Ian Cant]

I think you will find quite a few refs do this. To be honest Barnes is, in my opinion, reffing very well. It is a shame Tigers rarely get him these days.

[ellis9]

I couldn't care less what he calls them as long as he referees the game well, which he is.

At least he is calling them by their first names and not taking the mick out of them or their name like the thread title is.

[Tomvarndell]

Wow watching them tonight I hope they manage to stay top. They would be by far the easiest of the potential sides we could play in the semis. They've fallen over the cliff. Peaked too early. Sarries beat them next week and it will probably be Exeter for us which will be far harder.

[drc_007]

I can see Wasps ending up in third place.

[Cagey Tiger]

I can see Wasps ending up in third place.

Agreed. If Sarries beat Brizzle (very probable) and Exeter beat Saints (quite probable), Sarries would need to beat Wasps (probable?) to get a home semi.

[chris111]

Watching Quins v Pests......... Sir calling everyone by their first names as if they're all good pals.
Not sure I like that: surely he us meant to 'distance' himself from the players?
Sorry if I'm being a fuddy-duddy but thoughts please?

Many of my views of the game would suggest to people that I'm a fuddy-duddy, but I've not seen Wayne Barnes have any difficulty maintaining order on the field. If he was using first names to try and pretend to be 'down wid the kidz' it would not work...but to me he just comes across as someone who feels comfortable with players and uses this to officiate in a way that keeps the game flowing. It seems to me that the feeling is mutual - the players respond well, because they also respect his judgement. Certainly very few players chance their arm with Barnes....and those that do soon find out there's only going to be one winner! In my opinion he's certainly the best in England at the moment and probably a contender for best in the world. I'd love to see him at WR week in, week out.

[jgriffin]

Watching Quins v Pests......... Sir calling everyone by their first names as if they're all good pals.
Not sure I like that: surely he us meant to 'distance' himself from the players?
Sorry if I'm being a fuddy-duddy but thoughts please?

Many of my views of the game would suggest to people that I'm a fuddy-duddy, but I've not seen Wayne Barnes have any difficulty maintaining order on the field. If he was using first names to try and pretend to be 'down wid the kidz' it would not work...but to me he just comes across as someone who feels comfortable with players and uses this to officiate in a way that keeps the game flowing. It seems to me that the feeling is mutual - the players respond well, because they also respect his judgement. Certainly very few players chance their arm with Barnes....and those that do soon find out there's only going to be one winner! In my opinion he's certainly the best in England at the moment and probably a contender for best in the world. I'd love to see him at WR week in, week out.

Owens uses first names, quite a few good refs do. Spreaders used to.

[strawclearer]

'First name terms' is a ploy I always found worked well with my offspring. Unfortunately, the young Strawclearers no longer call me 'Sir'!

[Cagey Tiger]

'First name terms' is a ploy I always found worked well with my offspring. Unfortunately, the young Strawclearers no longer call me 'Sir'!

You mean you didn't call them Strawclearer Major, Minor etc. No wonder the country is going to pot

[strawclearer]

'First name terms' is a ploy I always found worked well with my offspring. Unfortunately, the young Strawclearers no longer call me 'Sir'!

You mean you didn't call them Strawclearer Major, Minor etc. No wonder the country is going to pot

Major, Minor and Mistake - and I'm pretty sure we kept them off pot entirely!

[tigercaspian]

Watching Quins v Pests......... Sir calling everyone by their first names as if they're all good pals.
Not sure I like that: surely he us meant to 'distance' himself from the players?
Sorry if I'm being a fuddy-duddy but thoughts please?

Many of my views of the game would suggest to people that I'm a fuddy-duddy, but I've not seen Wayne Barnes have any difficulty maintaining order on the field. If he was using first names to try and pretend to be 'down wid the kidz' it would not work...but to me he just comes across as someone who feels comfortable with players and uses this to officiate in a way that keeps the game flowing. It seems to me that the feeling is mutual - the players respond well, because they also respect his judgement. Certainly very few players chance their arm with Barnes....and those that do soon find out there's only going to be one winner! In my opinion he's certainly the best in England at the moment and probably a contender for best in the world. I'd love to see him at WR week in, week out.

Owens uses first names, quite a few good refs do. Spreaders used to.

Thanks for all responses. I am clearly a fuddy-duddy and in a minority of one then !!

[Roly]

What's he supposed to do?

Say, "Don't do that Number 10"...

It isn't 'The Prisoner' you know.

[JWM]

I am clearly a dinosaur.

I would have found it very odd a referee addressing me by my Christian name during a game.
Far too informal. Surname, or Blue 3.

To me it's to do with personal/professional boundaries, and being seen to be impartial during the game.