Owens to officiate final

Nigel Owens will referee Saturday's World Cup final between the All Blacks and Wallabies at Twickenham.

Having consistently impressed throughout the tournament, the Welshman was widely tipped as the man to wield the whistle in the title decider, which was confirmed by World Rugby on Monday.

'This is a huge honour and a privilege for me,' he commented. 'I am humbled to have been chosen. This is my third World Cup and I think it has been the best. It has been inspirational. The quality of rugby on display has been incredible in front of packed venues and so to be given the opportunity to referee the final match between the best two teams in the tournament is an amazing honour.'

Jérôme Garcès and Wayne Barnes will serve as the touch judges, with South Africa's Shaun Veldsman named as the TMO.

Meanwhile, Ireland's John Lacey will referee Friday's third-place play-off between the Boks and Argentina at the Olympic Stadium.

Photo: BackpagePix

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