FORMER England head coach John Kear has warned referee Liam Moore will become a target for the Australians if the hosts make a winning start to this year’s Ashes series.
The top Betfred Super League official has been appointed as the man in the middle for Saturday’s first Test at Wembley, with NRL referee Grant Atkins set to take charge of the second Test at Liverpool’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 1.
Wigan native Moore is no stranger to the big stage, having taken charge of both this year’s Challenge Cup final and Super League grand final, but Kear cautioned the Englishman will be in the sights of the tourists if Shaun Wane’s men defeat Australia on Saturday.
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“Already we’ve had a bit of an allusion to the referee, Liam Moore – what rules is he going to referee by and how will the ruck be?” Kear told the League Express Podcast.
“I know as well, being an international coach, you get referees visit you in the hotel to try to clarify all little grey areas of the two hemispheres, so it’ll really be interesting to see.
“I’ll tell you one thing – if England win, Liam Moore will cop a load of stick from the Australians, no doubt about that.
“I thought he was really good in the grand final. All you want referees to do in big games is referee the game…stay in the moment, and referee what’s in front of you. I’m pretty sure he’ll do that and if he does it well, it will be a great spectacle.”
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Kear oversaw England’s run to the semi-finals of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, including a 22-2 defeat to Australia at the rugby union stronghold of Twickenham in the group stage.
The 70-year-old, who also coached Wales from 2014 to July this year, believes a win for the hosts at Wembley is vital if they are to stand any chance of bringing the rugby league Ashes back to these shores for the first time in 55 years.
“From an England point of view, we need to win this first one – it’s absolutely vital,” Kear said.
“It’s feasible for Australia to come back in Tests two and three to clinch it, I don’t think it’s so feasible for us.
“We need to win this one, then nick another one whether it’s at Everton or Leeds. That’s the way I see England having their opportunity to win the Ashes.
“It won’t be a significant defeat this weekend, it will be closer than people are expecting.”