Matt Noyen's World Cup final farewell

Matt Noyen, pictured here at the Rugby League World Cup.

Grant Atkins will referee Sunday night's Rugby League World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand, with Wyatt Raymond assigned to the Bunker.

Matt Noyen and Tyson Brough have been appointed touch judges, giving Noyen a final match before retirement after 13 years officiating.

Across his career, Noyen has worked 343 games, including 71 as an NRL referee and 167 as an NRL touch judge.

He has also officiated six Test matches and three State of Origin games.

The League Scene account said on social media: "The NRL will lose one of their most experienced match officials as touch judge Matt Noyen retires following the World Cup final."

"Noyen made his NRL debut in 2013 as a touch judge before debuting as a referee in 2015."

"In previous seasons, Noyen has been among the top touch judges in the game."

The Manly Warringah Rugby League Referees Association congratulated him on Facebook, saying: "Huge congratulations to Matt Noyen who has been selected to officiate the World Cup final."

"This will be Matt's final match in his career, so we wish Matty all the best and congratulate him on such a capped career."

Atkins' appointment follows criticism of Adam Gee's refereeing in the Kangaroos' semi-final against Samoa.

New Zealand great Shaun Johnson led the criticism on Channel 7, saying Gee "got calls wrong" and that Samoa were hard done-by.

"He was confusing in his calls and it gave Australia the rub of the green tonight," Johnson said.

"They got every little call. And he wasn't supported by Chris Butler in the Bunker either. I feel like Samoa were hard done by."

"They didn't get a fair shot by some of these calls, which within 80 minutes are massive, how they can shift momentum."

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