EASINGWOLD referee Gerry Kershaw makes his Silk Cut Challenge Cup final comeback at Murrayfield tomorrow - almost 20 years since he was last involved in rugby league's blue riband event.

Kershaw, who took charge of the 1981 final between Widnes and Hull KR, has been named as the video referee for tomorrow's Bradford Bulls-Leeds Rhinos showdown.

He will watch the game in a truck outside the main arena where he will have the unenviable task of making potentially vital decisions if called upon by referee Steve Presley.

It is a highly-pressurised role, but one at which Kershaw has had plenty of experience in Super League and Challenge Cup matches this season.

"When it comes my way it's a lot of pressure. Occasionally it's a really really difficult one, for instance if you have to look from the overhead shot to see if a player was onside when the ball was kicked," explained Kershaw.

"I'm hoping to just sit there and watch the match on Saturday, I don't want any nightmare decisions. There are some when you can look at it all day and still not be sure but you have to come down on one side or another."

Since Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation got involved in rugby league, it has seen the introduction of new technology and officials, including the video referee, the referee's coach in the stand and the employment of Greg McCallum as a referee's performance director.

Kershaw, 56, has gained vast experience of both the new refereeing roles, including being coach in the stand at last year's Grand Final, but he admitted nothing could top the Challenge Cup final.

"It's terrific for me. Mr Murdoch has turned my life on its head. I had plenty to do and lots of other things planned but then Murdoch got involved and I've got involved under Greg McCallum.

"It's a privilege to be involved at this level, and as the video referee you still get the atmosphere in the truck. I've never been to Murrayfield. I thought the Grand Final at Old Trafford was a terrific atmosphere but I've been told it will have nothing on this."

The use of video referees has come in for some criticism over the last week, with Kershaw himself involved in the controversy.

St Helens coach Ian Millward questioned the use of the video ref in tracking incidents back two or three tackles before a try, after Kershaw was called upon three times in such instances by referee Stuart Cummings in Saints' Good Friday win over Halifax.

Millward's men had a Kevin Iro try ruled out because Kershaw ruled that Sean Hoppe stole the ball in a two-man tackle two plays earlier.

However, Kershaw, who confirmed the video could be used at any point in the six tackles leading up to a try, defended the technology.

He said: "That decision just had to be right. We have a wonderful system and suddenly the knives are out. The guys have not felt they needed to use it (the video ref) for a while then Stuart decided he needed to use it on Good Friday and for good reason."