Chris Kendall

In his fifth season on the full-time panel, Chris Kendall had a breakthrough year in 2019. He was appointed to referee the first AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final at Wembley, and little more than a month later he was taking charge of the Million Pound Game in Toronto followed by the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. That was followed by a first refereeing trip to the southern hemisphere in which he took charge of the Downer World Cup Nines Final in Sydney, followed by Great Britain’s Tests against Tonga and New Zealand – and he started 2020 with his World Club Challenge debut, refereeing St Helens versus Sydney Roosters. 

Prior to 2019, Kendall had gained big match experience as a touch judge, in the 2016 Four Nations Final at Anfield, the 2017 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, and the 2017 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. He also nominates his father as his Rugby League hero. “He was my coach when I played rugby as a junior and then my taxi driver when I started refereeing. I wouldn’t be where I am now without him.”