Yep, and that's what killed 'em. To be fair that offload from Roberts in fantastic field position was insane but I suspect very few people saw it as forward or saw a knock-on except Perenara.

And - if you're reading this, RFL/NRL/RLIF people (as we know you do) - that is why all suspicion should be eliminated by appointing neutral refs.

A neutral ref may have given the exact same decisions - or indeed awarded a couple of the tries NZ almost scored - but neutrality removes any suspicion of impartiality and ensures the game retains the credibility it deserves. As it stands, and as many of us expected, several question marks hang over a number of key decisions. And when you've stuck a homegrown ref in there, that matters.

Spot on.

I expect the game in a few hours to be reffed in a way that benefits the Aussies. Just watch the holding down if England are close. It'll happen and it won't be penalised.

I think we can save.y say we are seeing the emergence of a closing of the gap between the big three and some of the second tier nations. Samoa, fiji, png and Tonga are not far away from toppling the big boys in years to come, especially as more eligible players take up places in the NFL and SL and png's new development t structures pays dividends. Just need to get france and Wales improving now.

They need to get more pacific islanders to be truly competitive...........

Well I never. It's almost like the Australians killing the sport is predictable.