Frustration for McNamara as Melbourne ‘warriors’ denied

AUSTRALIA captain Cameron Smith and coach Tim Sheens believed the video referee was right to disallow Ryan Hall’s ‘try’ in the last minute in Melbourne.
England coach Steve McNamara.England coach Steve McNamara.
England coach Steve McNamara.

It was 16-12 to Australia with a minute to go when Hall chased Liam Farrell’s grubber kick to the corner and appeared to get a finger touch to the ball as Greg Inglis struggled to clear the danger.

Australian referee Gerard Sutton handed the decision onto his brother Bernard, the video official, who ruled that Hall had failed to find downward pressure and moments later the Kangaroos were celebrating a precious victory.

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Both Smith and Sheens claimed in the post-match press conference that Hall’s failure to celebrate and the decision of his team-mates to line up to receive a goal-line drop-out were firm indications that it was no try, but England coach Steve McNamara felt his side were wrongly denied at least a draw.

“Maybe he should have got up and celebrated because his finger certainly looked as if it was applying some pressure to the ball whilst the ball was on the ground,” said McNamara.

“Ryan said he knew he’d touched it but he wasn’t sure whether it was on the ground when he touched it. That’s why he didn’t over-celebrate.”

Despite the outcome, McNamara insisted he was proud of his team’s performance.

“It’s a tough one to take,” he said.

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“Ryan Hall put in a world-class performance and we had 17 warriors out there.

“I thought we were the better team and were in control for large parts.”

England, who were boosted by the return of captain Sean O’Loughlin, emerged injury-free as they prepare to fly to New Zealand today.

But they face an anxious wait to discover if two of their key forwards will be available after being placed on report.

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A match-review panel will sit to examine an alleged trip by O’Loughlin on Smith and a potential “chicken wing” tackle by Liam Farrell on Inglis.

McNamara said he was confident both players would avoid suspension, especially after no charges were brought after the opening round of games, but Sheens says he expects Farrell to be charged.

“That’s an ugly tackle and Inglis is still not well with it,” said Sheens.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall came to New Zealand’s rescue with a late try as the 2008 world champions scraped past Four Nations outsiders Samoa 14-12.

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The Samoans fell just short against England the previous weekend and they showed that was no one-off with another strong showing in Whangarei.

Tautau Moga’s interception try gave Samoa an early lead and the Pacific Islanders went into half-time 8-6 to the good after Daniel Vidot cancelled out Kieran Foran’s converted effort.

Joey Leilua swatted Kenny-Dowall aside to touch down and stretch Samoa’s advantage just after the break, but the New Zealand winger had the last word. Jason Nightingale’s try set up a grandstand finish and Kenny-Dowall went over five minutes from time.