LEADING rugby league official Gerry Kershaw is on top of the world after being named as the video referee for the sport's most prestigious event.

Kershaw, head of the sixth form at Easingwold School, will be keeping a watchful eye over tomorrow's World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford.

He is anticipating a close affair and is hoping the result will not hinge on his verdict.

"You don't really want it to be settled by video. You want it clear cut," said Kershaw, who will have to award or disallow tries referee Stuart Cummings calls for the big screen.

Cummings has been named as the man in the middle, with Russell Smith the reserve ref.

"I just hope it will be a good day with a crowd of around 40,000. I hope it's a fitting conclusion to a competition which at times has struggled in the media," added Kershaw.

This latest accolade means Kershaw has achieved a grand slam of all the game's major occasions since retiring as a Grade One referee.

He was the video ref for this year's Challenge Cup final at Murrayfield and has been the referee's coach in the stand for the last two Super League Grand Finals.

It follows a glittering career which saw him take charge of the 1980-81 Challenge Cup final, along with various other finals and internationals.

"You have to keep pinching yourself that these things keep happening," said Kershaw.

He has been involved in this year's World Cup since the beginning when he was the referees' representative for the French group. That was a great success as he revealed: "It was a wonderful experience in France with wonderful hospitality and good games. People turned out to watch the games and the outcome wasn't decided until the final game."

He was then appointed video referee for the quarter-final between England and Ireland and England's humiliating semi-final defeat by New Zealand.

"It was miserable from our point of view but then Wales salvaged it against Australia which augurs well for Saturday.

"I don't think it will be a foregone conclusion. I think New Zealand will mean business and they'll want their own back after the catastrophe in the Anzac match."

When the World Cup is over Kershaw again expects to deputise for the Rugby League's referees' controller, Greg McCallum, when he returns home to Australia for a holiday.