Paul Williams during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. (Image: Getty)
The man in the middle for the opening game of the tonight once broke down in tears as he talked about the sacrifices he’d made to become a professional referee. New Zealander Paul Williams will take charge when France host in Paris, having long cemented his reputation as an assured and experienced international official.
He’s renowned for making history during the pandemic, becoming the first Kiwi to take charge of his home country when he refereed their Bledisloe Cup clash between the All Blacks and Australia in Wellington.
The 39-year-old was also selected for both the in Japan and the 2023 version in France four years later.
Following the latter tournament, he was featured in World Rugby’s Whistleblowers documentary, which focused on the experiences of officials during the World Cup. And he hit the headlines following an emotional interview where he admitted neglecting those around him to focus on his sport.
“In 2011, I travelled to York to play rugby,” he said. “I would never have met my wife had it not been for rugby. Rugby has given me everything, but I’m a very driven person. Something I’ve been guilty of in the past is getting so fixated on that goal that I’ve spent less time committed to those close around me.”
And Williams then began to well up as he opened up on the pressures of performing well at rugby’s most scrutinised event. “When you come to a World Cup, you only get one shot at it,” he continued.
Williams first reffed in the Six Nations in 2019. (Image: Getty)
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“My wife and I want to get on that plane, looking across at each other across the aisle with our three kids in between and know that we made the most out of that opportunity. We want to know that we made some memories that we will never ever forget.”
As the Taranaki-born official explained how important a “successful” World Cup was to both him and his family, the interview appeared to get too much of him. He duly ended proceedings there, unable to continue talking.
The genuine show of emotion won him both empathy and plaudits from rugby fans, and he has since continued to be appointed for Super Rugby and international games. Williams made his Six Nations debut in 2019, when hosted in the Calcutta Cup.
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Last year, he was in the middle when England opened their campaign against Italy in Rome. And he’ll be assisted for the 8.15pm kick-off tonight by Australia’s Jordan Way and Italian official Andrea Piardi.
Tonight’s game in France won’t be his only involvement in the 2025 tournament. Williams himself will be one of the assistants on the line to Englishman Matthew Carley when Wales go to Italy on February 8.