Why Shaun Johns’s ref spray was right; opinion and analysis, Samoa Siva Tau goes too far against Australia, semi final, Paul Crawley

Shaun Johnson was bang on the money with his explosive post match criticism of referee Adam Gee on Sunday night.

I don’t know how anyone could look back on Australia’s dominant 44-12 victory and not agree with Johnson to some degree that Samoa weren’t “given a fair shot”.

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I also had an issue with Samoa’s fiery pre-match Siva Tau where the Samoan players clearly invaded the Kangaroos’ personal space, but I will come back to that.

Firstly, let’s address Johnson’s comments and whether Samoa had a right to be filthy at some of the contention decisions that went against them throughout the match.

There is no doubt the better side still won the game.

I’m not disputing that.

And that was by far the best Australia has played in this tournament.

It’s also true Samoa’s poor discipline and some shoddy defence let them down just as badly as some of the calls from referee Gee.

But there is also no denying it could/would have been a very different scoreboard if some of the so-called 50/50 calls went Samoa’s way.

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It started with the call that preceded Australia’s opening try to Tom Dearden.

You won’t see a softer try than when the Kangaroos halfback sliced straight past Jazz Tevaga and Francis Manuleleua off a scrum in just the seventh minute.

But don’t forget that came after Samoa lost a contentious captain’s challenge when the Bunker ruled a loose carry against Stephen Crichton.

There’s no doubt Cameron Munster did his absolute best to assist the ball out of Crichton’s grip and Samoa should have won that challenge.

If that call goes Samoa’s way, who knows what happens next.

Instead, Dearden busts through and Australia was on its way.

But calls like that seemed to go against Samoa for pretty much the entire match.

The no try ruling in the 30th minute when Manuleleua was judged to have knocked the ball into Reece Walsh was another.

I was also with Trent Robinson on that one.

Robinson was adamant in Channel Seven commentary that the ball had “clearly” been knocked back.

Some will argue Manuleleau also had his feet in front of the kicker and so the try should have been disallowed regardless.

But remember, the Bunker went with the onfield call on that, agreeing with Gee that both Manuleleau’s feet were onside.

Instead of it being 16-8 leading into halftime and game on, the Kangaroos almost immediately went down the other end and were celebrating through Reece Walsh that extended Australia’s lead to 20-2.

The decision to deny Samoa a second try was just rubbing salt into the wounds.

The game was as good as dusted by that point.

But still, disallowing that try for incidental contact on Liam Martin was another contentious decision because, as Johnson pointed out, the contact was initiated on the inside shoulder.

And if Samoa had a bit more luck in the run of play, does Spencer Leniu then get sin binned for allegedly questioning the referee’s integrity just before halftime?

No doubt, Leniu lost the plot and shouldn’t have done what he did.

But you can also understand how Samoa’s frustration was boiling over by that point.

SAMOA’S FIERY PREMATCH BUILD UP GOES TOO FAR

Plenty has been said this tournament about the passion on display from the Pacific Nations with these spine-tingling pre-match build ups.

But I thought Samoa clearly crossed the line when they walked right up into the faces of the Kangaroos players during their emotional Siva Tua.

The way Jazz Tevaga got up in Jack Bostock’s face in particular just went way too far.

Surely the players should be made to stay at least 10 metres back and they can do whatever they want from a distance.

But I think it sets a bad example for the supporters and the younger players watching at home about what it acceptable when they take it as far as Samoa did.

It’s all well and good to say it’s done in good spirit but I thought this time it crossed the line.

Maybe the overload of emotion also factored into Samoa’s poor discipline.

KANGAROO FORWARDS MAKE A STATEMENT

What a statement it was from the Kangaroo forwards.

After all the criticism Australia’s middles have copped so far this tournament, they showed exactly why they have the muscle to match New Zealand this Sunday night in the final.

I still think the Kiwis have earned the right to go into the final as the favourites after an impressive 34-10 win over Tonga.

But that was easily Australia’s most impressive performance this tournament.

Big Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Keaon Koloamatangi helped set up the win with superb opening stints, while Pat Carrigan was superb off the bench, as was Cam Murray.

Tino finished with 13 runs for 144m with Carrigan next best with 16 runs for 137m.

And while Keaon only had eight for 84m, it was his opening stint that helped establish the platform.

DEARDEN JUSTIFIES KEVVIE’S CALL TO SIDELINE WALKER

Kevvie Walters’ decision to select Tom Dearden ahead of Sam Walker has been completely justified.

While Reece Walsh was the worthy man of the match on the back of his hat trick and two try assists, I thought Dearden was the best on the field in the first half with his running game really helping to get Australia on the front foot.

Cam Munster was also in the conversation for best on ground with a phenomenal 15 runs for 120m, while Dearden finished with six runs for 73m that included that opening try.

In comparison, Jarome Luai had five runs for 37m and Ronald Volkman five for 38m.

WALSH AND PONGA SET UP MOUTHWATERING SHOWDOWN

How do you split the performances of Walsh and Kalyn Ponga over the weekend after both finished with man of the match honours?

What a showdown it sets up for the final.

If you had to split them, I probably give it to Ponga on the back of that inspirational try-saving tackle on a rampaging Demitric Vaimauga.

To think it was Ponga’s first game back from the broken forearm suffered in the tournament opener against Australia.

Walsh was also exceptional with a hat-trick and two more try assists.

Again, it only further justifies the decision by Kevvie to select Walsh ahead of James Tedesco.

I think who comes out on top in the final between Walsh and Ponga will go a long to deciding who wins.

PRESTON GETS IT OVER HIS BULLDOGS SKIPPER

Australia’s other standout performer was Jacob Preston.

What a tournament Preston has had.

He has been Australia’s best forward and his effort on Sunday night was no exception.

I loved the running battle he had with his Bulldogs captain, Stephen Crichton.

There was a period in the first half where they just didn’t let up on each other and Preston certainly gave as good as he got.

He also finished the points winner on the night.