‘Fastest man on the planet’: Referee steals the show at Rugby League World Cup

The Kangaroos started their Rugby League World Cup campaign in dominant fashion but it was an effort by the referee that stole the show.

Referee Chris Kendall was keeping up with Josh Addo-Carr.

Now that is the fastest man on the planet.

Josh Addo-Carr scored two tries to help Australia begin the defence of their Rugby League World Cup title with a convincing 42-8 victory over Fiji on Sunday morning — but it was the referee who stole the show for all the right reasons.

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Midway through the first half, Addo-Carr was passed the ball near the Kangaroos’ dead ball line and made the most of an overlap, sprinting the length of the field to score a superb try.

But while Addo-Carr was dodging and weaving through Fiji’s defence, the referee dressed in fluro pink could be seen dashing along to keep up with the winger.

Match official Chris Kendall managed to run fast enough to cross the tryline at the same time as Addo-Carr and stay out of his path at the same time.

“He’s the fastest ref on the planet!!!”#RLWC2021pic.twitter.com/hyhZPMi7Pm

— Roast (@thenrlroast) October 15, 2022

Footage of the referee flying along in his neon pink outfit was quickly shared on social media and fans couldn’t get enough of him.

Rugby league fans joked Kendall could now lay claim to being the “fastest man on the planet”, taking the mantle from Addo-Carr, who had been given the tongue-in-cheek title for his try-scoring exploits in the NRL.

🏃 Vossy is talking about the referee, not Josh Addo-Carr.#RLWC2021 | #AUSFIJhttps://t.co/zxiVAnT5Yl

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 15, 2022

Fastest man on the planet @PhilGould15#RLWC2021#RLWC#AUSvFIJ

— Mathew Thompson (@MathewJThompson) October 15, 2022

WWOS host Peter Psaltis said: “Great try Josh Addo-Carr……but seriously how fast is the ref????? He got in front of the fastest man on the planet!”

Kendall, an English referee with experience in the Super League and Rugby League World Cups, was also praised for his general officiating of the game between Australia and Fiji.

Channel 9 NRL commentator Mathew Thompson tweeted: “Just quietly, I rate this referee Chris Kendall. No nonsense. Let’s the teams play. I’m a fan.”

Referee Chris Kendall was keeping up with Josh Addo-Carr.

Fiji made a strong start to the game, Semi Valemei latching on to a grubber for a shock opening score.

The Kangaroos, in their first international since a loss to Tonga in November 2019, hit back through Jeremiah Nanai, who stepped through the defence to go in under the posts.

Addo-Carr then showed the Fijian defence a clean pair of heels as he streaked away for a swerving 95-metre try.

Angus Crichton bundled over and Australia were suddenly 18-4 up.

Another play up the middle by man-of-the-match Cameron Munster saw him exchange passes with Addo-Carr down his left wing before fending off the final defender and offloading to Latrell Mitchell for Australia’s fourth try.

Harry Grant then darted over from dummy half, with the South Sea Islanders firmly on the back foot.

The Fox was on fire for the Kangaroos. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)

Captain James Tedesco, who played for Italy in the last two World Cups, got his name on the scoresheet, breaking through before Addo-Carr latched on to a kick to touch down for his second try. Valentine Holmes converted all seven tries.

Australian coach Man Meninga was happy with the performance.

“We got through it pretty well,” he said after the game.
“Really happy with our defence. There are a few things to fix up with the ball but all in all, a very good first hitout. The cohesion with the football wasn’t where it needs to be.

“We talked about it. It was going to be fairly clunky from our point of view playing together in our first game of the tournament.”

With AFP