Williams parts with warning
Referee abuse on the rise, says retiring Test ref
Retiring Test referee Nigel Williams has fired a warning to the players and administrators as he retires from refereeing at the top of the game.
Williams says unless the issue of referee abuse is tackled head-on, then the sport will follow soccer down the road to anarchy.
The Welshman refereed last weekend's test between France and Australia as a swansong, but was frequently subject to verbals from the players, including one moment when French captain Jean-Baptiste Elissalde could clearly be heard to exclaim to Williams 'Do your job!'
The Lions' tour has featured a great deal of referee-badgering from players on both teams looking to influence the decisions, not to mention a fair amount of back-chat, something very much on the rise in the game in general.
Williams said that unless refs start getting treated with respect again, rugby could be heading for disaster.
"Referee abuse is a global problem that needs to be properly addressed," he said to the Western Mail.
"No game can go ahead without a referee, so they are a vital part of the game.
"But, at the moment, there is an unacceptable level of abuse, from the top right down to grassroots level.
"Unless something is done to reverse the trend, we are heading down the same route soccer has gone down which is total anarchy on the pitch.
"There is absolutely no respect for the man in the middle and, if we are not careful, the same will happen in rugby.
"In a way, what is happening on the rugby field at the moment is a reflection of society where there is a general lack of respect for other people. People think they can do or say what they want without there being any serious repercussions.
"That must change and I understand that is changing in Wales with clubs being held responsible for what happens at matches.'
Williams has refereed 18 Test matches, two Welsh Cup finals, a Parker Pen Cup final, a Celtic Cup final and 25 Heineken Cup games during a distinguished career.
His has one of the friendliest and most laid-back styles in the game, and his retirement is a sad loss.
"It's been a great journey that started out by wanting to do something meaningful after I stopped playing rugby, not knowing at the time where it would take me," he said.
"Eighteen Tests and endless memories of club and international rugby later and I do not regret any moment.
"Every international I have been a part of has been a fantastic experience, but the 2003 Rugby World Cup, in particular, is a memory that will stay with me for a very long time.
"However, at the top level of refereeing there are considerable demands on your time.
"You need to be 100 per cent committed and, at the moment, I have other major constraints on my time.
"I do a lot of travelling between Wales and London and so for nearly 40 weekends a year to be taken up through rugby takes a toll after a while.
"I am looking forward to spending some more time with my wife, Cheryl, and our family and friends.'
