Stuart: Investigation
We didn't play our best game but we weren't that bad. It was a bit of a stitch-up, I thought, in some decisions.
Paul Gallen
Quotes of the week
Australia coach Ricky Stuart faces an investigation for allegedly verbally abusing World Cup final referee Ashley Klein and RFL official Stuart Cummings in the aftermath of New Zealand's shock win over the Kangaroos.
Stuart reportedly bumped into Klein and RFL director of referees Cummings in the foyer of their Brisbane hotel, the morning after the Kiwis had stunned the world by ending Australia's 33-year World Cup stranglehold.
The Kangaroos coach is then thought to have launched a verbal tirade at the duo, with a complaint against Stuart will now be investigated by Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) chairman Colin Love.
Stuart was thought to be furious at a number of refereeing decisions during the final and also at the appointment of the Super League-based Klein for the big game.
Australia were huge favourites to lift the World Cup again after thumping everyone en route to the final, but after the shock loss Stuart is also reported to have clashed with ARL chief executive and close friend Geoff Carr on the field at full-time.
"Me and Ricky are good mates and I have a lot of respect for Ricky and how he handled himself last night," Carr told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Ricky needed to blow off some steam, he needed to get it out there. He was very emotional, but I am not going to talk about what we discussed.
"He was very, very emotional after the game because he puts his heart and soul into the game and into the team and it was good for him to come to me and have the opportunity to get everything off his chest."
Stuart's clash with Carr was over a conspiracy theory that tournament organisers thought a shock winner was good for the World Cup.
A controversial penalty try awarded by video referee Steve Ganson is the major focus of those theories and although Stuart has not commented, Cronulla and Australia loose forward Paul Gallen did voice his displeasure in an Australian TV interview.
"It was terrible, to be honest," Gallen said on Channel Nine.
"We knew we were going to have to play bad to be beaten. We didn't play our best game but we weren't that bad.
"It was a bit of a stitch-up, I thought, in some decisions."
The RLIF are now preparing to investigate the incoming complaint, but it could take weeks with England officials heading back home and Australia's on holiday.
Stuart did not comment on the reports on Monday.
Outright 2013 Win Outright: New Zealand 5/1
England 20-12 New Zealand - Highlights
England 20-12 New Zealand - Players
England 20-12 New Zealand - Peacock
England 20-12 New Zealand - Smith
Smith - Players want to impress
England 16-26 Australia - Tomkins
England 16-26 Australia - Smith
England 16-26 Australia - Sheens
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Saturday 10th October | |
| Leeds 18 - 10 St Helens | |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| St Helens 14 - 10 Wigan | |
| Friday 2nd October | |
| Leeds 27 - 20 Catalans Dragons | |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Hull K R 16 - 30 Wigan | |
| Friday 25th September | |
| Huddersfield 6 - 16 Catalans Dragons | |
| Sunday 20th September | |
| Wigan 18 - 12 Castleford | |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| St Helens 15 - 2 Huddersfield | |
| Wakefield 16 - 25 Catalans Dragons | |
| Friday 18th September | |
| Leeds 44 - 8 Hull K R | |
| Sunday 13th September | |
| Castleford 35 - 22 Celtic Crusaders | |
England new-boy Tom Briscoe is a 33/1 shot with Sky Bet to top Four Nations try-scorer charts.
Phil Clarke says that England have to improve their defence if they are to challenge in the Four Nations.
Wales clinched the rugbyleague.com European Cup for the first time in 14 years with a 28-16 win over Scotland.
Kyle Eastmond believes England can beat Australia in the Gillette Four Nations final after their 20-12 win over New Zealand.
Peter Fox scored two tries as England reached the Gillette Four Nations final with a 20-12 victory over New Zealand.
Peter Fox was delighted with his two-try display as England reached the Four Nations final with a 20-12 success over New Zealand.
Australia secured a place in the Gillette Four Nations final with a 42-4 victory over France.