IRL appoints three Super League referees to elite match officials panel

International Rugby League has appointed referees Robert Hicks, Chris Kendall and Liam Moore to its newly formed Elite International Match Officials Panel.

The trio had their nominations from the Rugby Football League accepted and they will take their places in the squad for 2021.

All three officials are part of the RFL’s full-time referees squad, who referee regularly in the Super League. Hicks, Kendall and Moore will officiate at the 2021 World Cup.

IRL’s match officials manager Stuart Cummings said: “The inclusion of the RFL’s nominated referees for the elite international squad further strengthens the depth and experience available ahead of high-profile year for International Rugby League.

“The referees will benefit from the experiences of other referees in the squad as well as providing valuable input themselves so that the squad develops and is ready for the start of the Rugby League World Cup in October.”

The Elite International Match Officials Panel will be made up of eight referees with no one country being able to have more than three referees on the panel. The remaining referee will be selected to the panel once nominations have been received from the other countries.

The Elite International Match Officials Panel currently is:

Grant Atkins (Australia)

Robert Hicks (England)

Chris Kendall (England)

Ashley Klein (Australia)

Liam Moore (England)

Henry Perenara (New Zealand)

Gerard Sutton (Australia)

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