Ben Thaler to referee World Club Challenge

Ben Thaler will referee this Friday’s World Club Challenge between Leeds and Melbourne at Headingley.

Thaler, 31, will take charge of his first World Club Challenge in front of a sell-out crowd and the SKY TV cameras.

He will be joined by touch-judges James Child and George Stokes. Phil Bentham will be video referee.

The Wakefield whistler was the referee for the second England v Exiles International Origin match in 2012.

His first Super League game was between London Broncos and Leigh back in 2005.