I don't understand how the video ref can tell the on-field ref: "In my opinion that ball was not grounded properly so it's no-try and a knock-one," and not tell him: "In my opinion that was extremely dangerous play and requires a yellow card."

By the same token, I don't understand how the touchjudge can tell the referee: "In my opinion that was dangerous play and a foul, and merits a red card," but the video ref, who has an even better view of events, can't.

England's opponents have benefitted from some extremely gutless refereeing in their last two matches. I'd like to put my mortgage on Australia benefitting - yet again - from exactly the same thing in the next one.

the elbow drop onto tomkins should have been a straight 10 mins..... weak officiating.

The referees have actually forgotten what the report system is for. It's there for when something has obviously happened but the referee can't be sure enough what has gone on to make a card decision. Tonight, not only were the incidents obvious, but the referee acknowledged that he saw them. Unfortunately he didn't have the balls to act on it. The referees, and its the same in SL, now view the report system as a punishment alongside red and yellow cards instead of the fail safe it was intended to be. Scrap it and distribute testicles to the referees.

I dont get why anything was put on report when the final is the only game left.

At least if, for example, we are playing wire and are fighting for top having them weaker a week later would be of some advantage to us. But in this case how can we possibly gain any advantage from them going on report?

on report should be removed for international games. It's different in a league where the strength of a squad is important for all games. if teh ref sees it, then he should deal with it - if he's unsure then he has the video ref for assistance. If everyone misses an incident then the review panel can always pick it up afterwards. the on report has juest given the refs an easy option,

I have always said that the on report system is a joke and it is a complete cop out. I have never agreed with it and I have yet to see anything that changes my mind. People can still be sited and charged whether they are on report or not so what is the actual point of it?

I wrote to the RFL about this in 1997 nineties when we played the aussie club sides. Asked why they couldn't simply look at the screen for foul play. Got a load of BS in reply. Stupid to have the technology and not use it, we haven't progressed in almost 15 years with this aspect. It needs instant feedback.

Here's the match report,

The game hinged on a suspiciously-looking forward pass that put winger Nick Zisti over for the try that gave Hunter a crucial 18-14 lead after 65 minutes.

"One wrong decision cost us the game," claimed Wigan coach Eric Hughes. "To me, it was a long, long way forward, and it was crucial. It was the major turning point.

"It was very disappointing because we were representing Britain. I just hope we can get one side through to the final.

"We certainly had a chance. The game was there for us but it was taken away from us."

The other major talking point was the alleged tripping by former Wigan ace Tony Iro on current favourite Henry Paul five minutes before half-time.

Referee Russell Smith, who had a tough time trying to keep a ferocious encounter under control, appeared to be reaching for his pocket when he noticed that Kris Radlinski was in a position to take advantage and score a try. Smith, perhaps understandably, twice took the easy option by passing on the crucial decision-making, calling for the video referee to rule on the try and the League's executive to examine Iro's actions.

Theres a blast from the past

I know we won the game but i am pretty pee'd of that our big lads never gave any fight back.

Peacock, Morley, Westwood, Carvell are the guys who should have busted a few Kiwis in response. I know we did the right thing and kept to the game plan and therefore won the moral victory, but Luke and Smith should have been made to bleed for $hit housing.

In times gone by we would have downed tools and let the opposition team know that it wont be tolerated, GB/Eng have very rarely been out muscled in a scuffle. With the game won it should have been open season on a Kiwis head.

Also i dont know who Benji was trying to kid with this "hard man" act he was into last night. Comical from a complete wuss.

I must admit, I was disappointed by the Kiwi tactics. They clearly were under orders to injure our pivotal players. But when it didn't work, they didn't have much of a back-up plan. Perhaps Kearney isn't all he's cracked up to be?

They were missing an awful lot of players though as well. NZ have never really performed that well against England for years in this country, similar to how England always play poorly in NZ, and this year was no exception.

I thought some of the 'tactics' employed by the kiwi's last night were nothing short of disgusting! There was clearly intent to injure Tomkins, Chase and Reed and yet nothing was done by the ref. I agree that in games like this there is absolutely no point in placing an incident on report, the ref should be taking action especially when it is clear from what he said that he did see what had happened.

However I am so proud of what the boys did out there last night and i'm glad we did take the moral high ground by not getting drawn into a fist fight with them, I can guarantee we would have felt the full force of the ref if we had!!
Well done lads....lets stick it to the aussies next week!!!

Yeh great and then next week against the aussies we have people banned

Im glad we didnt 'down tools' and have a punch up, instead we used the tools to beat them

I find the tactics totally against what the Hakka is all about.

ie this is a line, you step over it and we warriors will retaliate in honor of our people and you will get a smack round the chops......

Then they start with the cowardly cheap shots on already prone players?. I does not fit at all.

A man on man fist fight is fair enough but all the warrior code type thing is dispelled when you act like a coward.

Jury is still out on Kearney like you said, especially if this was premeditated.

What we did last night was totally the right way to play the game. What i am saying is that a large part of me wanted to see some retaliation. I know that that is not right but it would certainly have been justified.

And you can stop with the "yeah great" type reply's. Its not big and its not clever