Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins have today been appointed to referee the 2013 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.
NRL Referees Elite Performance Manager, Mr Daniel Anderson, today announced the appointments with Chris Butler and Dave Munro to referee the Holden Cup Grand Final between the Panthers and Warriors, which for the first time will feature two referees.
This season Hayne became just the fourth referee to officiate 300 first grade games at the highest level. This will be his third NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.
This will be the second NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final for Cummins, who officiated in last year’s decider.
Former Dragons and Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten will also be involved in his first Telstra Premiership Grand Final as a match official, joining Ashley Klein as the Video Referees for the match.
Anderson today congratulated the Match Officials on their appointments.
“The performances of the four referees last week was excellent, which made this decision extremely difficult, but Shayne and Ben have performed at a high level consistently through the season and they are very experienced,” Anderson said.
“The last time they were paired together was in the final Origin match and they performed well there and along with Steve Carrall, Russell Turner, Ashley Klein and Luke Patten they deserve the opportunity to represent the Match Officials squad on Grand Final day.”
NRL Head of Football, Mr Todd Greenberg, added: “Last night at the One Community we celebrated the achievements of our grass-roots match officials, who dedicate themselves to helping others play the game.
“It was a special reminder of the important position Match Officials hold in the game and on occasions like this we need to highlight the contribution officials make to Rugby League at all levels.
“Daniel, Tony Archer and Russell Smith deserve enormous praise for the leadership they have shown throughout the season.
“It is so often a thankless job but they and their team of Match Officials have contributed significantly to the success of this season.
“Congratulations to Shayne, Ben and all the Match Officials on their appointments today. To be selected to represent all Match Officials on the biggest stage in the game is a great achievement.”
2013 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Match Officials
Referees: Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Russell Turner
Video Referees: Ashley Klein and Luke Patten
Standby Referee: Gerard Sutton
2013 Holden Cup Grand Final Match Officials
Referees: Chris Butler and Dave Munro
Touch Judges: Jason Walsh and Ricky McFarlane
Video Referee: Luke Phillips
