Australia squeeze past England to keep Four Nations dream alive

Australia’s run of making every available final in the last 60 years remains alive after a nerve-jangling video refereeing decision to disallow an England try right on full-time at AAMI Park.

The Australians went into the Four Nations game not having lost consecutive games at home since 1970 but in the final minute, England winger Ryan Hall chased a Liam Farrell kick into the in-goal with his side behind 16-12. Live, it didn’t look like a try but replays showed the Leeds giant making contact with the ball as it lolled on the turf. Video referee Bernard Sutton watched at least six replays before flashing the red light. “He touched the ball as it was rising,” referee Gerard Sutton said, explaining the decision of his brother.

Earlier, replacement Ben Hunt made a decisive intervention after England dominated the opening 40 minutes. Hunt scored within two minutes of being pitched into the contest at hooker, chasing captain Cameron Smith’s grubber kick at the end of a strong defensive set from England midway through the second half. Smith’s goal narrowed the margin to two; Hunt then forced a line-dropout with a towering bomb which Josh Charnley fumbled. A minute later, the Australians had the lead with Greg Inglis’s converted try after an in-field pass from Daly Cherry-Evans.

England led 12-4 at half-time and could easily have pocketed two more tries, with replacement hooker Daryl Clark just lacking finesse in execution when in the clear. Three players were placed on report in the first 14 minutes: Sean O’Loughlin for tripping, Liam Farrell for a chicken wing tackle and Greg Bird for a dangerous tackle.

The first points didn’t come until the 17^th minute, Australia’s Daly Cherry-Evans putting second rower Bird through on the left side and centre Michael Jennings backing up for a try which captain Cameron Smith failed to convert. Sam Tomkins linked with Ryan Hall and Castleford’s Clark failed to exploit an overlap before being dragged into touch by Greg Inglis, who was subsequently penalised.

Not long afterwards, centre Kallum Watkins dotted down against a stretched Australian defensive line and after clearing England of obstruction, the try was awarded and Gareth Widdop’s conversion gave the visitors the lead.

Late inclusion Dan Sarginson’s sublime flick pass gave Ryan Hall England’s second try just before the break, with the tourists launching another attack right before the siren which could have brought more points had Clark managed to keep control of the ball.