Rugby, Australian Football: Aussie takes charge of Carnegie Challenge

An Australian will referee this year's Carnegie World Club Challenge for the first time. Sean Hampstead, who has refereed two Tests, two State of Origin matches and 198 first grade matches, will be in charge of next Friday's clash between Super League champions Leeds Rhinos and Canterbury Bulldogs at Elland Road. British referees have been in charge of all five previous meetings since the event was revived in 2000 but the officials will now be appointed on a rotational basis, regardless of where the match is played.

"I'm going to have to make a quick adjustment to the conditions over there but this appointment is a great honour and I'm looking forward to the experience," said Hampstead.

"Refereeing the two best club sides in the world is going to be quite a challenge so I expect that will benefit me with what I do every week in the Telstra Premiership."

The match is being shown live in both countries.

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