It didn’t have an impact on the overall result, but had a call on Samoa’s early 40/20 attempt gone their way there could have been a very different start to the Rugby League World Cup final.
Australia were the deserved winners of the final, claiming their 12th World Cup title with a 30-10 win over Samoa.
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They were too classy and too strong, running in six tries versus’ Samoa’s two.
But Samoa showed a moment of brilliance just three minutes into the game at Old Trafford — which could have been a pivotal moment had the call been correct.
Chanel Harris-Tavita attempted a 40/20 out of dummy-half only for Kangaroos fullback James Tedesco, who was ruled to be in, to bat the ball back into play
“He might have done it, sideline official stays down,” commentator Andrew Voss said.
“I thought for a moment Chanel Harris-Tavita had pulled it off.”
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Voss’ co-commentator Kyle Amor added: “What a save it was from Tedesco.”
However a replay then showed that Tedesco’s foot was on the line when he batted the ball back in.
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“He’s out… Ah rugby league and controversy, they say they are bed fellows,” Voss said.
Amor added: “They got away with that one.”
The Kangaroos ended up scoring the first try of the game 10 minutes later through Latrell Mitchell, before Tedesco and Liam Martin added to their tally before half time.
