The Rugby League World Cup is just days away, with Round 1 of the men’s tournament kicking off with eight games in four days across England.
The world’s best players have descended on England where they have been joined by the globe’s top referees, with the match officials for the opening round of games now confirmed.
Ashley Klein will oversee proceedings at St James’ Park on Saturday, as hosts England take on Samoa in the curtain-raiser.
It is sure to be a fierce battle between two well fancied sides and Klein will be assisted by touch judges Jack Smith and Warren Turley in Newcastle.
Saturday’s action continues in Leeds, where Chris Kendall is the man with the whistle at Headingley as Australia take on Fiji in Group B.
Defending champions Australia will be prepared for a tough test against a Fiji side who they beat in the 2017 semi-finals, and Kendall will be joined by touch judges Wyatt Raymond and Darian Furner.
There is more action in the North East on Sunday, as Scotland face Italy in Group B at Newcastle’s Kingston Park with Gerard Sutton the man in the middle for that one.
He’ll be flanked by touch judges Paki Parkinson and Marcus Griffiths as both sides look to get their campaign off to a flyer with a crucial win.
It’s then back to Headingley, where Ben Casty will be overseeing the action as Jamaica take on Ireland in Group C.
He’ll be supported by Geoffrey Poumes and Neil Houghton on the touchlines as the Reggae Warriors make their debut at the Rugby League World Cup.
New Zealand and Lebanon round off a bumper day of action on Sunday night in Warrington.
Grant Atkins will referee this one as the No.1 side in the world get their tournament up and running with Tom Grant and Dean Bowmer acting as touch judges.
The remaining two sides in Group A get underway on Monday in Doncaster, with Adam Gee in charge at the Eco-Power Stadium as France take on Greece.
Gee, who refereed the women’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup final, will have Kasey Badger and James Vella as his touch judges for Greece’s maiden appearance at a Rugby League World Cup.
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Match Officials confirmed for Men’s Round 1
The world’s best match officials have been allocated their games ahead of the first round of men’s fixtures starting on Saturday
The Rugby League World Cup is just days away, with Round 1 of the men’s tournament kicking off with eight games in four days across England.
The world’s best players have descended on England where they have been joined by the globe’s top referees, with the match officials for the opening round of games now confirmed.
Ashley Klein will oversee proceedings at St James’ Park on Saturday, as hosts England take on Samoa in the curtain-raiser.
It is sure to be a fierce battle between two well fancied sides and Klein will be assisted by touch judges Jack Smith and Warren Turley in Newcastle.
Saturday’s action continues in Leeds, where Chris Kendall is the man with the whistle at Headingley as Australia take on Fiji in Group B.
Defending champions Australia will be prepared for a tough test against a Fiji side who they beat in the 2017 semi-finals, and Kendall will be joined by touch judges Wyatt Raymond and Darian Furner.
There is more action in the North East on Sunday, as Scotland face Italy in Group B at Newcastle’s Kingston Park with Gerard Sutton the man in the middle for that one.
He’ll be flanked by touch judges Paki Parkinson and Marcus Griffiths as both sides look to get their campaign off to a flyer with a crucial win.
It’s then back to Headingley, where Ben Casty will be overseeing the action as Jamaica take on Ireland in Group C.
He’ll be supported by Geoffrey Poumes and Neil Houghton on the touchlines as the Reggae Warriors make their debut at the Rugby League World Cup.
New Zealand and Lebanon round off a bumper day of action on Sunday night in Warrington.
Grant Atkins will referee this one as the No.1 side in the world get their tournament up and running with Tom Grant and Dean Bowmer acting as touch judges.
The remaining two sides in Group A get underway on Monday in Doncaster, with Adam Gee in charge at the Eco-Power Stadium as France take on Greece.
Gee, who refereed the women’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup final, will have Kasey Badger and James Vella as his touch judges for Greece’s maiden appearance at a Rugby League World Cup.
Tuesday then sees Group D start up at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, as 2017 semi-finalists Tonga take on Papua New Guinea.
Liam Moore will run the rule over that clash, with Belinda Sharpe and James Child the touch judges assigned.
And Round 1 wraps up on Wednesday with Wales against The Cook Islands at Leigh Sports Village, where Robert Hicks will have the whistle.
He’ll be assisted by touch judges Rochelle Tamarua and Todd Smith as the Kuki’s make their return after missing the 2017 iteration.
Saturday 15 October
England v Samoa, St James Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm
Match Driver: Tom Grant
Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judges: Jack Smith and Warren Turley
Reserve Referee: Tom Grant
Video Referee: Adam Gee
Captain’s Challenge: Robert Hicks
Australia v Fiji, Headingley Stadium, Leeds, 7.30pm
Match Driver: James Vella
Referee: Chris Kendall
Touch Judges: Wyatt Raymond and Darian Furner
Reserve Referee: Rochelle Tamarua
Video Referee: Grant Atkins
Captain’s Challenge: James Vella
Sunday 16 October
Scotland v Italy, Kingston Park, Newcastle, 2.30pm
Match Driver: Ben Thaler
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judges: Paki Parkinson and Marcus Griffiths
Reserve Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Video Referee: Robert Hicks
Captain’s Challenge: Ben Thaler
Jamaica v Ireland, Headingley Stadium, Leeds, 5pm
Match Driver: Neil Houghton
Referee: Ben Casty
Touch Judges: Geoffrey Poumes and Neil Houghton
Reserve Referee: Aaron Moore
Video Referee: Ashley Klein
Captain’s Challenge: James Child
New Zealand v Lebanon, Halliwell Jones, Warrington, 7.30pm
Match Driver: Dean Bowmer
Referee: Gerard Atkins
Touch Judges: Tom Grant and Dean Bowmer
Reserve Referee: Todd Smith
Video Referee: Liam Moore
Captain’s Challenge: Paki Parkinson
Monday 17 October
France v Greece, Eco-Power Stadium, Doncaster, 7.30pm
Match Driver: Michael Smaill
Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judges: Kasey Badger and James Vella
Reserve Referee: Michael Smaill
Video Referee: Gerard Sutton
Captain’s Challenge: Liam Rush
Tuesday 18 October
Tonga v Papua New Guinea, Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, 7.30pm
Match Driver: Marcus Griffiths
Referee: Liam Moore
Touch Judges: James Child and Belinda Sharpe
Reserve Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Video Referee: Ben Thaler
Captain’s Challenge: Wyatt Raymond
Wednesday 19 October
Wales v Cook Islands, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh, 7.30pm
Match Driver: Michael Smaill
Referee: Robert Hicks
Touch Judges: Rochelle Tamarua and Todd Smith
Reserve Referee: Michael Smaill
Video Referee: Tom Grant
Captain’s Challenge: Darian Furner
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