'Embarrassed': Wallabies coach explodes over 'disgraceful' World Cup controversy
Wallabies coach Michael Chieka says referees are "spooked" by their bosses at the Rugby World Cup and his team have paid the biggest price for it in their dramatic 29-25 loss to Wales.
A stirring fightback wasn't enough on Sunday at Tokyo Stadium, as Australia battled back in vain from 18 points down soon after halftime, closing to within a point entering the final 10 minutes.
They couldn't score again, an outcome that means they'll probably finish second in group D and, if other results fall as expected, face England in the quarter-finals and potentially New Zealand in the semis.
‘COMPLETE JOKE’: Wallabies fume over 'disgraceful' World Cup 'farce'
The Wallabies scored three tries to two and were the vastly superior team in the second half, but they paid for an error-riddled opening 40 minutes which lacked purpose and execution.
Their other bugbear was long delays that halted momentum, when French referee Romain Poite and Kiwi TMO Ben Skeen ruminated on a number of collision incidents.
Most rulings went against Cheika's men, most notably when centre Samu Kerevi was penalised for raising his forearm to the chest of replacement Welsh five-eighth Rhys Patchell.
It proved match-swinging as Patchell landed the subsequent penalty and a rejuvenated Wales scored a try in a key period just before halftime.
"As a former rugby player, I'm embarrassed about that," Cheika said.
"You've got to look after players but not to an extreme when you're looking after players for doctors and lawyers.
"They (match officials) all seem spooked, like they're all worried about things so much. I'm not sure why they're worried. Players aren't worried.
"They're making decisions on all types of crazy stuff."
Former Wallabies and Fox Sports commentator Phil Kearns slammed the Kerevi ruling and was just as adamant that Wales' halfback Gareth Davies should have had his converted try on the stroke of halfime ruled out.
Davies magically intercepted Will Genia's pass from a ruck and dashed 60m but Kearns said replays showed he was clearly offside.
“The whole refereeing display has been disgraceful,” Kearns said.
"It was just embarrassing that the referee hasn't gone back to look how far, he's (Davies) even 2m in front of his own defensive line that are moving up, that's an embarrassment.”
Kerevi says rugby gone soft
Kerevi joked he'll consider a switch to the NRL after being penalised in the most controversial decision.
He said slow motion replays had worked against him, believing he had done nothing wrong.
"I've been playing with that for my whole career. It's the first time I've heard that I can't lead with my arms and bump," he said.
"The worrying thing is if he's falling and I keep moving forward, which I would normally do, I could touch his head."
"What do we do in that split second? ... I might as well just stop."
Kerevi said he may have to consider using footwork rather than go straight over the top of defenders, which has become a trademark.
The 26-year-old has signed a three-year contract to play in Japan from next year but laughed he may consider a code switch if rugby's rules become more stifling.
"I love my rugby league, so I'll have a look at NRL then.
"If you want to play touch or go play basketball (then do it) but we're here to run straight at people."
