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Nigel Owens' farming exploits go viral, the World Cup final referee claiming he has never been as nervous in his life
By Josh Raisey
This period of no rugby during the coronavirus pandemic has meant that many involved in the game have had the chance to try their hand at something else. It has also meant that a lot of people have been sat on social media watching videos.
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Both trends combined on Wednesday when footage of referee Nigel Owens’ other life as a farmer went viral on Twitter.
Never been so nervous. Expecting our first calf born on the farm. Looks like she won’t be long. #TheMairwenPedigreeHerefordHerd. pic.twitter.com/z6wfVb6DFr
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) April 1, 2020
The 48-year-old shared a video in anticipation of the birth of the first calf to his herd of cows, which has been viewed more than 30,000 times so far.
Despite refereeing the 2015 World Cup final between the All Blacks and Australia at Twickenham and multiple other high profile matches, he said he was never so nervous in his life.
It is not very often that a referee talking about the birth of a cow would prove to be such a hit, but these are strange times.
By the time rugby resumes and Owens is required to blow his whistle again, he may well be a world-famous farmer.
Well she made it look easy bless her. Lovely bull calf born to Hannah 369. Mum and son all doing well so far. A rugby match will be easy to referee after the worry of first time calving. ?#TheMairwenHerd. @BazJonesDavies you were brilliant too pic.twitter.com/CxLLU45de2
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) April 1, 2020
The good news is that the bull calf was born at the Mairwen Herd, leaving Owens with a new-found perspective on life which those who have not birthed a cow before cannot truly appreciate.
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On reflection, the Welshman said: “A rugby match will be easy to referee after the worry of first time calving.”
With no rugby to be played for the foreseeable future, this may be one of many farming escapades by Owens.
WATCH: Finn Russell chats to Jim Hamilton in the latest episode of The Lockdown, the new RugbyPass series
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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