England captain Sam Burgess has launched a scathing attack on the performance of referee Robert Hicks during England’s defeat to Australia.
Slammin’ Sam accused Hicks of evening up the penalty count before half-time after Hicks was informed by Australia captain Cameron Smith of the count.
Burgess was penalised for a tackle on the stroke of half-time, which saw Johnathan Thurston extend Australia’s lead.
“You watch some of the calls. It was not good enough. I don’t think he was good enough,” Sam said.
“You’ve got to put the whistle away at some point. I’m not blaming it on the result. They were a good team but geez it’s international. There were 13 or 14 penalties at halftime.
“There was a time there where he was made aware of the penalty count and made sure it was even at halftime,” Burgess said.
“I don’t know what agenda he has got there or if he wants to even it up. Some of the penalties were — at this level I don’t think the penalties were (warranted), but that’s my opinion. People will disagree with that.”
