Hayne was in charge of England's win over Papua New Guinea

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 pool 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 as referee for the England-New Zealand game, 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."

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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 this weekend.

But after announcing Hayne as the referee for England's game, Stone said: "It was agreed that appointments would be made on merit and, where merit permits, we would appoint on the basis of neutrality."

Super League referee Richard Silverwood said there were differences between the way the laws were interpreted in the northern and southern hemispheres, adding he sympathised with Smith.

"He has a point to a certain degree," Silverwood told Radio 5 Live.

"When a player is tackled, in the southern hemisphere they hold on a bit longer. That couple of extra seconds doesn't seem a lot in each tackle, but over 80 minutes it can sap your energy.

"These things help, but England have played poorly so far."

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