Match officials named for World Cup openers

NRL referee Matt Cecchin will take charge of England against Australia at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Chris Butler and Chris Kendall will be touch judges for the match in Melbourne with Super League official Ben Thaler named video referee.

On Saturday, Ben Cummins will officiate PNG’s clash with Wales, James Child is to take charge of New Zealand and Samoa while Henry Perenara is referee for Fiji against United States.

Finally on Sunday, Grant Atkins will officiate Ireland against Italy, Gerard Sutton takes charge of France’s clash with Lebanon and Scotland’s game with Tonga will be refereed by Phil Bentham.

Australia v England

Referee: Matt Cecchin

Touch Judges: Chris Butler, Chris Kendall

Video Referee: Ben Thaler

PNG v Wales

Referee: Ben Cummins

Touch Judges: Dave Munro, Scott Mikalauskas

Video referee: Jared Maxwell

New Zealand v Samoa

Referee: James Child

Touch Judges: Michael Wide, Tim Roby

Video Referee: Bernard Sutton

Fiji v United States

Referee: Henry Perenara

Touch Judges: Belinda Sleeman, Jon Stone

Video Referee: Steve Chiddy

Ireland v Italy

Referee: Grant Atkins

Touch Judges: Liam Moore, Rob Hicks

Video Referee: Steve Chiddy

France v Lebanon

Referee: Gerard Sutton

Touch Judges: Chris Butler, Chris Kendall

Video Referee: Ben Thaler

Scotland v Tonga

Referee: Phil Bentham

Touch Judges: Chis McMillan, Mark Craven

Video Referee: Ashley Klein