Absolutely no need.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen took aim at referee Nigel Owens after their 31-22 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham yesterday.

Hansen said Owens got caught up in the ‘festival’ atmosphere of the non-Test game yesterday, as this perhaps affected his performance. Hansen reckons Owens wasn’t perhaps as focused as he would have been if it were a Test match.

He reckons it would haven been a good game had Owens ‘reffed’ it.

“Most of the banter came from Nigel,” said Hansen.

“It would’ve been good if he’d have reffed this one”

“It was a festival game wasn’t it, and he is like the rest of us,”

“He’s fallen into the trap of getting caught up in it. He did a good job – I’m not saying he didn’t, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he wasn’t as focused as he would have been if it was a Test match.”

“The crowd that came here wanted to see the rugby that was played and they wanted to see tries, hence why they clapped and then booed when the try under the post wasn’t awarded. It’s difficult for a player to get their head around that and it’s also difficult for the ref.”

To be fair to, it was a festival game in many respects and for Hansen to pass these comments is a bit petty if you ask us. No need.