He was probably in touch but agree about Hicks. He should be watching the WC from his sofa at home.

I don't think he was and even on the video with super close up, there was no angle that proved definitively that he was. On most of them there appeared to be clear green between foot and line.

There is no chance Hicks, running and bobbing up and down could see that and judge it, even if it is proven that he did touch the line. It's what the bloody video ref is for, the ref was all too willing to only use it against England today.

There was doubt about his foot being in touch but what got my back up was that the ref did not go to the video? a few odd calls, for me the main one when he called chase to move round the scrum as the Aussies were actually feeding the scrum how were they expected to get set? the ref should stop trying to coach, if Chase was wrong penalise him. I was happy with England there is hope in that performance.

I agree. Also, did the ref go to the screen every time we scored, but not every time for the Ozzies?

We seem to get this every tournament. The Ozzies don't need any help from the officials . The worst or biased official I have ever seen was Bill Harrigan, now he was shameful.

I remember Tony archer in the 4n game at Melbourne being particularly bad.

Not sure if Charnley was in touch or not but if he'd have chased it with some bloody urgency then he would have been able to take it with ease. Looked like he was out for a casual morning jog. Infuriating!

That's the difference, the extra 1%.

Charnley ambled back until it was too late.

Slater sprinted back then supermanned our 40/20 back into the field.

100% if roles were reversed slater would have prevent the 40/20 that charnley took out.

Heres a funny idea.

england v aus = kiwi ref
england v kiwi = aus ref
aus v kiwi - english ref

Who'd a thunk it?

The ref was a kiwi wasn't he?
Hicks was English and the video UK.

We can hardly call bias.

There was clear evidence that Charnleys left boot displaces about an inch of touch line. An indentation if left on the line.

It was a close call but sadly the right ones like the forward pass is give Tomkins took near half way. It's frustrating as I saw what I considered to be several forward passes by the Aussies which never went punished.

As fans we have a duty to hound Hicks out of the game at every match he officiates in next season though, it's only fair......

It was a 50/50 call you cant really argue with Hicks whatever way he swung

at least he made a decision something which people on these boards complain about, touch judges not doing this so well done Robert.

Charnley could have put a bit more in his chase back but as the pitch was clearly cutting up he maybe didn't want to fall on his face. (cheap excuse). But Edwards pointed it out in the replay of the try you cant control the officials but you can control what you do in defence and with the ball and the team as a whole should have done a lot better with conceding a try on the first tackle from a set play.

the ref let a lot of forward passes go the suddenly started spotting them , wasnt the best reffing performance , certainly in the burgees high shot incident...
will be interesting to see if anybody does get sent off this wc for a high shot after letting sam off

Sadly Mr Hicks likes to be the centre of attention, his smug grin personifies the man.

How can hicks give a decision he cannot be sure about? He's guessed that he's gone out because even on the replays it's not 100% clear if he had.

Charnley back chatting and leaving a one man overlap on the far side was very poor play.

Wasn't a fan of the ref either, although I suppose he won't be that bad when I watch it back.

The same guy didn't send Tony Williams off at Wembley

Armchair experts to the fore.

Leaguefan blindly defending officials regardless of performance to the fore.

think he got it right BUT would and aussie linesman in Australia of given it against them?!

I thought Rugby League was dead to you?

Impossible to tell, to be honest - even on the replays. You have to go with the bloke who was nearest.

Think what saved Sam if you see it again is the refs view is blocked but the body of Ferres so I don't think he saw it properly.

What do you mean? The way Slater threw the last world cup final away!?

Hicks' reputation goes before him, so it is assumed he got it wrong. It really should have gone to the video ref., but that was Thaler, so hey-ho !!

The TV pictures appeared to show he went in touch at least twice. That said, the angle wasn't conclusive and it could have just been an illusion. But I think it unfair to criticise the official unless it was clear at the ground. Based on TV it looks like a good decision. He's out if he touches the line.