League: Ganson to control Tri-Nations final

LEEDS - Less than a day after being named international referee of the year, Tim Mander has been overlooked for Sunday's Tri-Nations final between Australia and New Zealand at Elland Rd.

Englishman Steve Ganson, who was third in the award Mander carried off at the Golden Boot presentation, has landed the prized appointment.

A panel comprising Australia's Robert Finch, New Zealand representative Ian McIntosh and Great Britain's director of match officials, Stuart Cummings, voted in the referee to control the final.

A spokesman for Tri-Nations sponsors Gillette said Ganson's appointment was "unanimous", suggesting Finch did not nominate or put up a fight for Mander.

Ganson's appointment is unlikely to worry the Kangaroos.

Australian coach Wayne Bennett has no problems with Ganson's style and has not found too much wrong with his officiating in the past.

The refereeing in Australia and New Zealand is different to that in the English Super League, especially in the ruck interpretations and holding down in tackles.

Ticket sales for the final moved past 25,000 yesterday although a cold snap is on the way, with the possibility of sleet and snow by the weekend.

* Next year's series will be played in the Southern Hemisphere and New Zealand has been granted both matches against Britain and at least one game against Australia.

Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton will be considered as game venues after a recent Rugby League International Federation board meeting confirmed the series would be staged in the Southern Hemisphere.

- AAP, NZPA