Matt Cecchin probably got the ‘no try’ call right but that’s not the point, writes Phil Rothfield

MATT Cecchin probably got the Fifita “no try” decision right. But with so much hanging on it, he should have been sent to the video reviewer.

Andrew Fifita’s try should have been sent to the video referee.

I HAD to watch a dozen replays of the Andrew Fifita “no try” to confirm referee Matt Cecchin probably got the decision right in the dying seconds of the World Cup semi-final.

That’s not the point.

With so much hanging on the decision, it should have been sent to the video reviewer.

Had it have happened earlier in the game, no one would have cared.

But the prize here was a World Cup final berth.

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CORRECT: Archer defends ‘no try’ call

Andrew Fifita reacts after his try attempt in the final seconds was disallowed.

Cecchin is the best referee I’ve seen since Bill Harrigan but, while he most likely got this decision right, next time he might get it wrong.

In the emotion of the moment, social media went into meltdown.

Almost everyone wanted Tonga to win and the fairytale to continue.

Referees should always be encouraged to make decisions on the field but when there is an element of doubt, it has to be checked.

HOLMES’ HEROICS

OFTEN statistics can be misleading, especially in this Rugby League World Cup.

Kangaroos winger Valentine Holmes has scored 12 tries for Australia.

He is just one try behind rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton, who had to play 15 World Cup matches for his 13 tries against the great English and French sides of his era.

And he was a five-eighth or centre, not a finisher.

It’s a bit like in cricket Test when Matt Hayden scored 380 for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2013.

Valentine Holmes scores a try in the corner against Samoa.

Don Bradman’s 334 against England at Headingley in 1930 was obviously a far superior achievement.

You can only play what’s in front of you and Holmes has done a wonderful job on the Kangaroos’ left wing. But let’s keep it all in perspective.

The standard of opposition and depth in this tournament is nothing like it used to be.

Originally published as Matt Cecchin probably got the ‘no try’ call right but that’s not the point, writes Phil Rothfield