Grand Final referee announced

Chris Kendall has been appointed to referee Friday’s Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and St Helens at the KCOM Stadium.

Kendall, 28, will be taking charge of his second successive Grand Final. Tom Grant and Scott Mikalauskas have been appointed Touch Judges, with Ben Thaler as the Video Referee. Challenge Cup Final referee Liam Moore is the Reserve referee.

Dave Rotheram, the RFL’s Chief On-Field Officer, said: “Congratulations to Chris Kendall and all of the officials who have been appointed for the Betfred Super League Grand Final this weekend. As with the players, it is always a thrill and an honour for our officials to be involved in the game’s biggest occasions.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all the match officials and their coaches who have joined players, administrators and so many others in responding to the unique challenges of this season – and also to thank all those others for their efforts on behalf of the RFL’s match officials department.

“Our match officials, whether members of the full-time squad or the many others who have contributed from the Grade 1 List, have had to make the same sacrifices as the players over the last four months in terms of restricting any social contact away from the game, and taking weekly Covid-19 tests.

“The match officials are keen to put on record their appreciation, especially to the players and coaches, for the way they have adapted to the rule changes and various other ways in which this season has been so different – and on behalf of the RFL and others, I’d like to recognise the role the officials have played themselves.”