Familiar face referees Hull KR showpiece again as Grand Final officials are confirmed

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - Referee Chris Kendall in conversation with Hull KR's Elliot Minchella
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Chris Kendall will be referee of Saturday's Grand Final clash between Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford - having also taken charge of Rovers' Challenge Cup final defeat against Leigh Leopards last season.

Huddersfield-born Kendall, 32, showed Rovers captain Elliot Minchella the yellow card - which was followed by the loose forward being banned for the two most recent games - in the club's 24-0 win at Leigh Leopards less than a month ago.

This will be the third time that Kendall has been a Grand Final referee - with the last time being in the epic 2020 clash between Wigan and St Helens, played behind closed doors at Hull FC's KCOM Stadium.

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Kendall has already been a man in charge for a major domestic showpiece event this year, having been in charge for the Challenge Cup final for a second season in a row when Wigan defeated Warrington Wolves at Wembley. That means he completes an officiating double last recorded by Liam Moore in 2021. In the Challenge Cup final this year, the early yellow cards shown, with one for either team, created talking points.

Moore has been appointed as video referee, with Richard Thompson and Johnny Roberts as touch judges. Reserve referee is Jack Smith, reserve touch judge is Warren Turley, time keeper is Nick Hope, and match commissioner is Gerry Kershaw.

Earlier this year, experienced Kendall went beyond the 200-game mark for Super League games officiated as a referee, with the first being nine years ago.

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