In the latest Referees Perspective feature from World Rugby, South African André Watson takes a look back at the 1999 Rugby World Cup final between Australia and France at the Millenium Stadium. After their stunning semi-final victory over the All Blacks, where they fought back from 24-10 down at the break to triumph 43-31, France were full of confidence heading into their first final since the tournament's inception in 1987. Australia, led by the mercurial John Eales, had just beaten South Africa in the second semi in a match notable for the first of only two drop goals of Stephen Larkham's career. Watson admits that the responsibility of taking charge of his first and only World Cup final was a daunting prospect. "When the announcement came, I was as shocked and surprised as many of my colleagues. I only heard five days before that I was going to ref it." "There are many clichés about it [refereeing the final], being nervousness, excitement. I just call it being bloody scared." Australia went on to dominate the match in Cardiff, winning 35-12. Tries from Owen Finnegan and Ben Tune helped the Wallabies secure their second Rugby World Cup tournament victory, having tasted success in 1991. Despite the commanding scoreline, Watson is adamant that the French played as hard as they had done against New Zealand, a match that was labelled by critics as 'their final'. "People said that France played their final the weekend before when they beat the All Blacks. But I think the French gave it everything. They were going at each other hammer and tong." On a side note, outspoken Watson was actually recently dismissed from his position as head of referees in South Africa, after 24 SARU (South African Rugby Union) officials signed a list of grievances against him, reported to be related to the way he interacted with colleagues. His appeal against that dismissal was unsuccessful.

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