Australian coach Tim Sheens has criticised referee Phil Bentham after his team's 26-12 win over New Zealand.
Australia had to see off a second-half comeback from the Kiwis at the Halliwell Jones Stadium to secure their victory in the opening match of the Four Nations tournament.
However, Sheens was critical of the performance of English referee Bentham after the match.
"The conditions and the way it was officiated, as far as on the ground was concerned, made it a slugfest. It is the same trouble we had in Newcastle," said Sheens.
"It is a Test match, we understand that, and we won it but if that is the standard of the speed of the game - it is probably the slowest game I have seen for a long time.
"I am not going to make a huge issue of it and if I have something to say I'll do it to the right channel."
Australia's victory came courtesy of tries from Matt Scott, Tony Williams, Jonathan Thurston, Darius Boyd and Akuila Uate.
The Four Nations tournament continues on Saturday afternoon as England play Wales at the Leigh Sports Village.
