A Fijian fairytale at the Rugby League World Cup fell apart in dramatic fashion against New Zealand on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Fiji opened the scoring in their quarter-final clash and led for the majority of the contest with the Kiwis not taking the lead until the 72nd minute when they edged ahead for the first time via a controversial call.
Joseph Manu was originally ruled to have lost the ball for the Kiwis in Fiji's half, but a captain's challenge saw the bunker overturn the initial decision and instead award a penalty for a strip from Viliame Kikau.
Jordan Rapana made no mistake to kick New Zealand ahead as a result and he would then seal the 24-18 win with a try at the death.
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Fiji will be left dreaming about what could have been with the Kiwis now set to face Australia in the semi-finals.
The late decision to penalise Fiji proved costly to the end result and many felt it was the wrong decision with no clear-cut evidence that Manu hadn't lost control of the ball himself.
"It was a big call...we then saw a thousand replays to come to a decision," Greg Alexander said on Fox League post-match.
"We watch endless replays to come up with a decision and I feel they went with the wrong one there."
Fans were also quick to slam the decision on social media as Fiji fell brutally short of a stunning upset.
On the biggest stage #RLWC2021 The bunker…🤦🏽♂️
— David Niu (@davidniu7) November 5, 2022
What’s the point of having all that slo-mo technology if the person viewing the action is partially sighted? What a shocker of a decision #RLWC2021
— Alan Huddart (@alanhuddart) November 5, 2022
Never a ball steal that. If this game gets decided on that decision Fiji will have been robbed. #RLWC2021
— Michael Lavelle (@mikelavelle93) November 5, 2022
That's a loose carry from Joey Manu all day long #RLWC2021
— Punter No1 (@Punter_No1) November 5, 2022
That's a massive call. And I think it's wrong.#RLWC2021
— The Tryline 🏉 (@TrylineUK) November 5, 2022
That is SHIT. He's just out and out dropped that!!!! A very bad decision could now lose this for Fiji #RLWC2021
— 'Wrench' (@thehatter6453) November 5, 2022
If NZ win from those two points, I'd complain if I were Fiji. Dreadful, dreadful call #RLWC2021
— 'Wrench' (@thehatter6453) November 5, 2022
That's an atrocious call. NZ getting bailed out big time here.#RLWC2021
— Braden (@Bradenjbrady) November 5, 2022
New Zealand will now face Australia in the semi-finals next Saturday at 6:45 a.m. (AEDT).
England have booked their place in the other semi-final and will face either Tonga or Samoa in that match.
