Chris Kendall to referee Super League Grand Final

It will be Kendall’s second successive Grand Final after he took charge of last year’s showpiece when Saints defeated Salford Red Devils.

Tom Grant, who is from Leeds and Scott Mikalauskas have been appointed as touch judges and Ben Thaler, of Wakefield, is video referee.

Kendall was at the centre of controversy in the opening round of the play-offs, two weeks ago, when he took no action against two Catalans Dragons players who were later suspended for a total of 14 games for incidents in their side’s win over Leeds Rhinos.

Joel Tomkins was banned for eight games for indecent contact and Michael McIlorum received a two-match ban for a high tackle and four for manhandling an injured player.

Kendall was in the middle for Saints' semi-final defeat of Hull.

His video assistant for the game between Leeds and Catalans, Robert Hicks, did not referee a game in the Super League semi-finals and is not on duty for the title decider.

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 One 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.

“There have been additional challenges from the rule changes that were introduced for the resumption of the season in August.”

Rotherham added: “It has taken a team effort from all involved in the game, whether players, coaches, media, administrators or match officials, to get to this point, with one big match remaining.

“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.”

The RFL’s Laws Committee will meet again in January to evaluate the impact of the rule changes introduced for the second phase of the 2020 season, both temporary and permanent, and to make decisions relating to the 2021 season and beyond.

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