Tony Smith loses Australian referee battle

Shayne Hayne was in charge of England's win over Papua.

The england coach has failed in his quest to have a northern hemisphere referee appointed for Saturday's semi-final against New Zealand.

Smith had said he wanted anyone but an Australian referee after an official from the National Rugby League took charge of England's three group games.

But Australian Shayne Hayne will take charge of Saturday's crucial match at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Hayne took charge of England's group game against Papua New Guinea.

Australian Ashley Klein - who referees in Super League - takes charge of the other semi-final, between hosts Australia and Fiji on Sunday.

Smith made an appeal to referees chief Mick Stone to have either Klein or Steve Ganson - the two officials from the Rugby Football League on the referees panel - to take charge of his team's semi-final.