Angus Gardner took charge of the quarter-final between the Waratahs and the Highlanders.

Australian official Angus Gardner has been appointed the referee for next weekend's Super Rugby final, Sanzaar announced on Friday.

Gardner is not involved in this weekend's semi-final clashes when the Crusaders and Lions host the Hurricanes and Waratahs in Christchurch and Johannesburg respectively.

The 33-year-old received support from All Blacks coach Steve Hansen in June despite his controversial decision to send off Benjamin Fall for his challenge in the air on Beauden Barrett in the second test in Wellington.

PHOTOSPORT Gardner sending off France's Benjamin Fall against the All Blacks.

It will be his first Super Rugby final as referee after he started officiating in the competition in 2012 and Sanzaar said it was just reward for "his high quality performances throughout the season".

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"In line with match official selections for the tournament the selection of the match referees for the Finals Series have been merit-based and have included input from the team head coaches," a Sanzaar statement said.

Gardner, who started taking charge of major international tests in 2016, has covered 60 Super Rugby matches since 2012 and refereed 13 in the 2018 season.

He was referee for the Waratahs' 30-23 victory in Sydney against the Highlanders in last weekend's quarter-finals.

South African Jaco Peyper takes charge of the all-New Zealand semi-final between the Crusaders (1) and Hurricanes (4) in Christchurch, while Kiwi official Glen Jackson referees the Lions (3) against the Waratahs (4) at Ellis Park.

Gardner's destination for his maiden Super Rugby decider will be the city of the highest ranked team that qualifies for the final.