League: Top English ref gets Warriors match

A Yorkshire accent will replace an Australian one when the New Zealand Warriors get their refereeing instructions in the National Rugby League (NRL) this weekend.

Leading English official Russell Smith will be in charge of the Warriors' match against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Smith, who made his NRL debut in Parramatta's 28-12 win over Wests Tigers last weekend, is participating in the early rounds of the competition as a "guest referee".

He will be a familiar face to a number of Warriors and Broncos, having controlled both tests between New Zealand and Australia in last year's Tri-Nations tournament, as well as the final between Australia and Great Britain.

- NZPA