This is so annoying - how hard can it be to appoint a neutral ref?

Won't be expecting any favours from Bentham, but there is a real danger he will subconsciously favour the Kiwis to be as seen as non-biased following Sunday's controversy.

No dramas from the Kiwi camp regarding the ref.......suppose that might change of Bentham has a mare. TBF, he looked the most accomplished ref in the first weeks games and I doubt he'll "favour" anyone.
Kiwi Press more interested in the permutations and the weather......which is odd because it's an indoor stadium?
rlhttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id
rlhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10705033/England-more-at-home-in-Dunedin-than-Kiwisrl

Liam Farrell's done well in my opinion - finds his front a fair amount in attack which has led to Clark running from dummy half on numerous occasions, putting us on the front foot. Reliable in defence as well. Ferres hasn't impressed me unfortunately, which is disappointing considering how well he did in the world cup last year. Whitehead should come in for Tomkins having said that.

The other changes I'd make would be Joe Burgess in for Charnley who I think has looked very average. I'd also consider starting Clark and putting Ratchford on the bench in place of Hodgson. Could have Ratchford and Tomkins floating around the PTB whilst Clark's off.

As much as I'd like to see Hardaker playing at this level, I think it would cause too much disruption to our attacking structure (which I think is looking quite good) changing the halves now.

I'd expect 1 or 2 changes to the 17 come Saturday, but I'd go with:

Tomkins
Hall
Watkins
Sarginson
J. Burgess
Widdop
Smith
Hill
Clark
Graham
Farrell
Ferres
O'Loughlin

Ratchford
G. Burgess
T. Burgess
Whitehead

England have got Bentham purely so that the Aussies another homer. If England beat NZ by 10 points or more the Aussie ref in my opinion will make sure that Australia win by the required amount to get to the final.
The victim in all of this is the credibility of International Rugby League.

England v Australia final with an Aussie ref......that'll pack the cake tin

I think that they have landed Bentham in a no win situation and have again got their own way.

No matter what goes on this ref cannot come out of it smiling. NZ win and England fans will find something to criticise him for, should there be a cliffhanger situation in comparison to last weeks, he will be vilified if he goes to the VR or not.

Should England get the rub of the green (god forbid) he will get the bird from the Kiwi fans and the Aussies also, I don't doubt. Possibly being consigned to rep wilderness thereafter.

Personally I think it is despicable what the authorities have done here as if Bentham is good enough for this game and Peranara for the Oz Samoa match, why were they not considered last week so providing neutral refs for both games.
There can be no excuse for that and it bloody well stinks. Yet again the English staff have been outplayed by those from the S/Hemi.