'Diabolical': Samoa robbed of two tries as Kangaroos get 'every little call' in World Cup semi

Samoa had two tries disallowed and were on the wrong end of an 8-4 penalty count as they crashed out of the Rugby League World Cup, beaten 44-12 by Australia in Sunday night’s semi-final at Allianz Stadium.

The officiating of referee Adam Gee and Bunker official Chris Butler drew heavy criticism after the match, with former Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson saying Samoa “did not get a fair shot”.

The key flashpoint came in the first half, when a try to Stephen Crichton was overturned. The Bunker ruled Francis Manuleleua had knocked the ball on into Reece Walsh during a contested high ball before it ricocheted to Crichton.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, commentating on Channel 7, said replays showed it was “clearly a knock back”. Australia scored at the other end shortly after, a sequence Johnson described as a 12-point swing at a crucial stage of the match.

A second Samoan try was disallowed in the second half after Gee ruled Manuleleua, running as a decoy, had obstructed Liam Martin. The Bunker upheld the on-field decision.

Johnson labelled that call “diabolical”, saying the contact was an inside shoulder. He added that if the collision was heavy enough to put Martin on the ground, Martin should have been taken for a head injury assessment.

Australia also received one more set restart than Samoa (4-3).

“I feel like Adam Gee got calls wrong and he was confusing in some of his calls,” Johnson said on Channel 7. He said Gee had not been supported by the Bunker, and that errors confirmed with full access to replay technology were what frustrated him most.

Samoa captain Jarome Luai also criticised the officiating in a post-match interview with Triple M, saying his side got few calls in the first half.

“Previous games I thought Adam Gee had been reffing really well but that completely different tonight,” Luai said. He acknowledged Samoa’s own discipline had played a part.

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said there were decisions he did not agree with and that Australia had enjoyed “a real home ground advantage”, including the calls. When asked to identify specific decisions, Gardiner told reporters: “You guys saw the game. You can report on it.”

Neutrality questions

Samoa prop Spencer Leniu was sin-binned for dissent in the 39th minute. As he left the field, he made a money gesture.

Johnson said he believed Leniu was questioning why Gee, an Australian, was refereeing a match involving Australia and Samoa. “If he is giving that gesture it has to suggest that he doesn’t feel like this is fair odds for them,” Johnson said. He added that he did not know what the solution was.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by any official. However, the appointment of an Australian referee to a knockout match involving the host nation is likely to put tournament refereeing appointments under scrutiny.

Commentator Luke Keary reported that Samoa front-rower Junior Paulo had an animated discussion with Gee at halftime before storming off.

Gardiner rejected suggestions his side lost their composure. “It had nothing to do with the emotion – it’s a Test match, that’s what you do,” he said.

Samoa proud despite exit

The loss ends Samoa’s bid for a second consecutive World Cup final.

Luai said the side had represented their country with pride. “I’m proud of our boys, proud to be Samoan and I hope we made our nation proud,” he said.

Australia will play New Zealand in the final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Sources

Quotes and match details drawn from coverage by Fox Sports, Zero Tackle (Leo Twemlow) and Nine (Liam O’Loughlin), 9 November 2026.