Grant Fox expects Nigel Owens to referee World Cup final

New Zealand selector Grant Fox expects Welsh referee Nigel Owens to take charge of next weekend's World Cup final, although World Rugby are not expected to make a final decision until early next week.

Talking to New Zealand's Newstalk ZB following the All Blacks' 20-18 semi-final win over South Africa, Fox said he believes Owens, 44, will be in charge at Twickenham.

The Welshman was not appointed in any capacity to either of the semi-finals, although he is widely regarded as the game's leading official.

"Nigel is clearly the best referee in the world - he's demonstrated that," Fox said.

"We knew before this game (South Africa) that he had that job should we get the opportunity to play in that game (the final).

"One of the key things he does, apart from communicating incredibly well with players, is that he lets the breakdown breathe, and that is really important.

"If you want to get a good contest and spectacle, you have got to let the breakdown breathe a little bit, and he is really, really good at that," the former New Zealand fly-half said.

If Owens is to referee the final, he will become the second Welshman to do so after compatriot Derek Bevan took charge at Twickenham in 1991 when Australia beat England.

He would be the fourth man from the British Isles following Bevan, Ed Morrison (1995) and Alain Rolland (2007).

New Zealand will play either Argentina or Australia in the final.