Tony Smith loses Aussie referee battle

England coach Tony Smith 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.

Prior to the announcement of Hayne, Smith said: "We've had three Australian referees so far and we've probably struggled under each of them.

"The Australians have had an Australian referee, so I don't see why we can't have one from the northern hemisphere."

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.

But after announcing Hayne as the referee for England's match, Stone said: "In the tournament manual drawn up prior to the tournament, it was agreed that appointments would be made on merit and, where merit permits, we would appoint on the basis of neutrality."