Leeds Rhinos legend praises referee in semi-final as Jon Wilkin believes there would have been a yellow card had the game been in Super League

Last night we saw brilliant tries from Jahrome Hughes, Josh Addo-Carr, Val Holmes, Dylan Brown and Cameron Murray.

Nathan Cleary kicked masterfully as you’d expect as Liam Martin put in an inspired display.

There was heroic defence from both sides as the two rivals put on one of the greatest games in Rugby League World Cup history at Elland Road in front of 28,000 people.

In the end Australia ran out 16-14 winners to book their place in yet another World Cup Final.

But they weren’t the only ones to impress those watching on as referee Ashley Klein did so too.

On BBC after the game former England international and Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan praised the former Super League official: “I thought Ahsley Klein was outstanding, he was quick and accurate and he didn’t invite himself into the game.

“The game kept flowing.”

Meanwhile former Bradford Bulls man and New Zealand international conceded that Klein was the right man for the job despite being Australian:

“I was arguing that it should be a neutral referee but I take it back as he had a wonderful game.”

Klein made the bold call to not sin bin eventual match winner Cameron Murray after he sparked a bit of a pushing battle.

Many have praised this call with Jon Wilkin believing that there would have been a yellow card in Super League: “There would have been.”