Chris Kendall has been appointed to referee Friday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final, the culmination of a marathon 2020 season in which all match officials have been recognised for playing their part.

Kendall, 28, will be taking charge of his second successive Grand Final. Tom Grant and Scott Mikalauskas have been appointed Touch Judges, with Ben Thaler as the Video Referee.

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 1 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. It’s 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.

Betfred Super League Grand Final 2020, Match Officials:

Referee – Chris Kendall

Touch Judges – Tom Grant, Scott Mikalauskas

Video Referee – Ben Thaler

Reserve Referee – Liam Moore

Reserve Touch Judge – Cameron Worsley

Match Commissioner – Paul Crashley

Timekeeper – Steve Williams