Referee Ben Cummins has today been appointed to his first NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final and will officiate with Tony Archer in Sunday’s decider between the Storm and Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
NRL Referees Coaches Stuart Raper and Bill Harrigan today announced the appointments with Grant Atkins to referee the Toyota Cup Grand Final between the Raiders and Wests Tigers.
Cummins, who refereed in all three 2012 Harvey Norman State of Origin matches, received this year’s Col Pearce Medal as the best performed referee during the Telstra Premiership while, for Archer, this will be his sixth consecutive NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.
“Ben and Tony are our best performed referees this season and our best combination and they have earned the right to represent all Match Officials in the Grand Final,” Harrigan said today.
“This is a really special occasion for the officials and their families.
“They work so hard during the year to get to this point and throughout it all they are subject to enormous scrutiny and pressure, so it’s great to see those efforts rewarded.
“Congratulations to all the Match Officials on their appointments and to our entire squad for their professionalism and dedication throughout the season.”
NRL Interim Chief Executive, Mr Shane Mattiske, today paid tribute to the commitment of all match officials throughout the season.
“We all know that Grand Finals are huge events for the players, the members and the fans but it is also a significant achievement for the match officials and I would like to congratulate Tony and Ben and their team on earning their places in the biggest match of the year,” Mr Mattiske said.
“Just 24 people have refereed a Grand Final at this level in the years they have been played since 1930 which says something about the honour involved.
“Refereeing has always been an essential element of sport and Rugby League in particular. It is today a professional career in its own right and one that many now aspire towards.
“While today is an opportunity to acknowledge those chosen to officiate the biggest game of the year, I would also like to pay tribute to the entire refereeing squad and the coaching staff for the effort they have put in this year.”
2012 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Match Officials
Referees: Tony Archer and Ben Cummins
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Russell Turner
Video Referees: Chris Ward and Shayne Hayne
Standby Referee: Matt Cecchin
2012 Toyota Cup Grand Final Match Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judges: Chris Butler and Dave Ryan
Video Referees: Bernard Sutton and Shayne Hayne
