England have found out who will referee their opening Rugby League World Cup group stage match against Tonga on Saturday.

NRL-based referee Gerard Sutton will take the whistle in Perth, with the Australian taking charge of his first game involving England/Great Britain since the Lions tour in 2019.

The 47-year-old has overseen six NRL Grand Finals in his career and was the man in the middle during England’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final defeat to Australia.

Joining him in the match officials team are Dave Munro and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Ashley Klein, who is a former Super League referee, will be the video referee, or the ‘bunker official’ as it is called down under.

Elsewhere, calls have been made on the three English-based referees. All of Chris Kendall, Liam Moore and Tara Jones have landed gigs in the opening week of action, with Kendall set to oversee the men’s match between Fiji and the Cook Islands.

Moore, who refereed the 2026 Super League Grand Final, will take charge of Papua New Guinea v France in the women’s tournament, whilst Jones will have the whistle for England women’s game against Wales that will act as a double header alongside the men.

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Rugby League World Cup week one referee appointments

*Note: all kick-off times are noted in UK time.

Men’s tournament:
Australia vs New Zealand – Thursday 16 October @ 10:05 am

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch judges: Matt Noyen and Tyson Brough
Bunker official: Chris Butler

Samoa vs France – Friday 16th October @ 7:45 am

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch judges: Kieren Irons and Daniel Luttringer
Bunker official: Chris Butler

Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon – Saturday 17th October @ 5:25 am

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch judges: Michael Wise and Jarrod Cole
Bunker official: Liam Kennedy

England vs Tonga – Saturday 17th October @ 10:05 am

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch judges: Dave Munro and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Bunker official: Ashley Klein

Fiji vs Cook Islands – Sunday 18th October @ 6:05 am

Referee: Chris Kendall
Touch judges: Jon Stone and Drew Oultram
Bunker official: Wyatt Raymond

Women’s tournament:
Australia vs Samoa – Friday 16th October @ 10:05 am

Referee: Kasey Badger
Touch judges: Karra-Lee Nolan and Izzy Davidson
Bunker official: Peter Gough

Papua New Guinea vs France – Saturday 17th October @ 3:15 am

Referee: Liam Moore
Touch judges: Geoffrey Poumes and Dillan Wells
Bunker official: Todd Smith

England vs Wales – Saturday 17th October @ 07:35 am

Referee: Tara Jones
Touch judges: Tori Wilkie and Rochelle Tamarua
Bunker official: Peter Gough

New Zealand vs Fiji – Sunday 18th October @ 3:50 am

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch judges: Paki Parkinson and Jack Feavers
Bunker official: Peter Gough