Super League have announced the match officials for this week’s semi-finals, and senior official Chris Kendall is set to take charge of one of the two matches this weekend.
Kendall was video referee in St Helens’ late win to Leeds Rhinos, but eyebrows were raised when he awarded a try to Saints’ Jon Bennison. When looking at replays, Kendall looked at just two angles that appeared to show the ball just touch the line, however other angles either not looked at or not available to him showed the ball to be short. Jack Smith sent the decision up as a no try, meaning there needed to be sufficient evidence to overturn the live call, which there was not.
The RFL have released a statement this week, saying the try should not have stood, and an error was made by the officiating team.
However, Kendall will be part of this week’s semi-final matches, with on-field referee Smith a video referee this weekend.
On Friday, Wigan Warriors take on Leigh Leopards in the first semi-final, in what will be two in-form teams going at it in a local rivalry. When you add in a place at Old Trafford for the winner, the stakes don’t come much higher for those two teams. That game will be overseen by Kendall, who will referee his 12th Super League playoff game. On video duties will be Tom Grant.
Saturday evening sees Hull KR take on St Helens in the second semi-final, after the Saints scraped through thanks to that Shane Wright winner in the last play of the game. After recent performances, both sides will need to really up their game if they want to emerge victorious. KR are looking for their second straight Grand Final, whilst Saints will be looking to return to the Theatre of Dreams for the first time since they won their latest Super League title, and achieved a record four-peat, in 2022. Liam Moore will take charge of this one, with Smith appointed video referee.
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Super League semi-final referee appointments confirmed:
Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards
Friday 3rd October – KO: 8pm
Referee: Chris Kendall, Video Referee: Tom Grant
Saturday 4th October – KO 5:30pm
Referee: Liam Moore, Video Referee: Jack Smith
