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Last Updated: Thursday, 25 November, 2004, 16:48 GMT
Noble fury at choice of official
Brian Noble
Great Britain coach Brian Noble has reacted angrily to the appointment of Englishman Russell Smith as referee for Saturday's Tri-Nations final.

Neutral officials were used for all six group matches and Britain favoured New Zealander Glen Black for the final.

"We're the only ones who haven't been refereed by Russell Smith which I think puts us at a disadvantage," Noble said.

"I think he's an outstanding referee, I just don't want him to feel he's under pressure to do anything for Australia."

Smith was this week named as the international referee of the year.

He was in charge when Great Britain lost 64-10 to Australia in Sydney in 2002, and last year's third Ashes Test in Huddersfield, which the Kangaroos won 18-12.

Noble's concern is that Smith will subconsciously favour Australia so as not to be seen to be biased towards Britain.

"In a lot of respects it's human nature," he said.

"So the guy in the middle has got to be really tough with himself but I'm confident that he can be that."


2004 TRI-NATIONS

LATEST NEWS

Saturday, 13 November 2010
Australia12 - 16
(6 - 6)
New ZealandR
Tries:
Tate, Slater
 Tries:
Kenny-Dowall, Nightingale, Fien
 
 
 
Goals:
Smith 2
 Goals:
Marshall 2

Suncorp Stadium

Saturday, 06 November 2010
England36 - 10
(24 - 0)
Papua New GuineaR
Tries:
Robinson 2, Clubb 4, Harrison
 Tries:
Aizue, Yere
 
 
 
Goals:
Westwood 3, Widdop
 Goals:
Aiye

Eden Park

New Zealand20 - 34
(10 - 18)
AustraliaR
Tries:
Pritchard, Nightingale, Kenny-Dowall
 Tries:
Cronk, Morris 2, Tate, Boyd, Lawrence
 
 
 
Goals:
Marshall 5
 Goals:
Smith 3, Carney 2

Eden Park

Sunday, 31 October 2010
Australia34 - 14
(26 - 8)
EnglandR
Tries:
Lewis 2, Slater, Tate, Tonga, Tuqiri
 Tries:
Burgess, Robinson
 
 
 
Goals:
Smith 5
 Goals:
Westwood 2, Cudjoe

AAMI Park

Saturday, 30 October 2010
New Zealand76 - 12
(46 - 0)
Papua New GuineaR
Tries:
Perrett 3, Smith 3, Sa'u 3, Hohaia, Eastwood, Luke, Nightingale, Manu
 Tries:
Yere, Nami
 
 
 
Goals:
Marshall 8, Luke 2
 Goals:
Tongia 2

International Stadium

Sunday, 24 October 2010
Australia42 - 0
(26 - 0)
Papua New GuineaR
Tries:
Slater, Tate, Cronk, Tonga 2, Morris, Smith, Lockyer
 
 
 
 
Goals:
Smith 5
 

Parramatta Stadium

Saturday, 23 October 2010
New Zealand24 - 10
(12 - 0)
EnglandR
Tries:
Sa'u, Hohaia, Kenny-Dowall, Marshall
 Tries:
Roby, Widdop
 
 
 
Goals:
Marshall 4
 Goals:
Widdop

Westpac Stadium

Saturday, 16 October 2010
New Zealand Maori18 - 18
(0 - 18)
EnglandR
Tries:
Thompson, Heremaia, Taumata
 Tries:
Atkins, S Tomkins, O'Loughlin
 
 
 
Goals:
Locke 3
 Goals:
Widdop 3


Wednesday, 06 October 2010
Wales6 - 13
(6 - 6)
ItalyR
Tries:
Thomas
 Tries:
Caligari, Falcone
 
 Drop-goals:
Stewart
 
Goals:
Reece
 Goals:
Mantellato 2

Racecourse Ground

Saturday, 12 June 2010
England60 - 6
(34 - 6)
FranceR
Tries:
Widdop, Briscoe, S Tomkins 4, Shenton 2, Ellis 2, Bridge
 Tries:
Bentley
 
 
 
Goals:
Sinfield 6, Widdop 2
 Goals:
Mounis

Leigh Sports Village


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Tonight: Brian Noble is Elvis
25 Nov 04 |  Fun and Games



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