Klein takes Final, Kidd steps down

English-based Australian referee Ashley Klein has been appointed to control Saturday night's Tri-Nations rugby league final between New Zealand and the Kangaroos at Aussie Stadium.

The assignment tops off what has already been a massive week for the former Parramatta junior referee, after he was crowned international referee of the year at last night's Golden Boot awards dinner.

It will be his sixth international overall with Klein also the man in the middle in both of Australia's wins over the Kiwis so far this series.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Warriors chairman Maurice Kidd will step down from the job at the end of the year.

After two years in the job at the Auckland-based NRL club, Kidd will depart from his role with the Warriors' owners, the Cullen Group. He says the foundations are in place for the team to be very successful in the future.