An emotional Andrew Fififa says he believes he scored what would have been the try to send Tonga through to the Rugby League World Cup final.
Tonga trailed 20-0 in the final 10 minutes, before three quick tries made it a two point game to set up a thrilling finish.
Fifita appeared to have scored the winner with the final play of the match, only to be called back by referee Matt Cecchin for a knock-on.
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"I was happy with it as a try," said Fifita on Sunday. "But it is what it is."
"But grounded or not, everyone knows the outcome and at the end of the day, we are just proud Tongans."
One Tongan fan, Vai'Ana Ta'ai, started a petition calling for World Cup officials to explain the decision. Not even 24 hours after the match, it has over 30,000 supporters.
"England claims a stolen win. To referees, it is just another day of work, but for the Tongan players, it is heart, soul and their world," the petition states.
"Tongan players are not playing for money, but for their country, heritage and their families.
"Let us have an understanding and an explanation from NRL officials on why this final try was not counted."
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Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said he was furious at Cecchin and believes he should have at least gone to the video referee.
"I would've thought that, in those circumstances, there's no way in the world you don't look at it - that really surprises me," Woolf told reporters.
"The game's on the line, the last play of the game. You look at other tries 10, 12 times and yet we don't have a look at that?"
Tongan forward Jason Taumalolo agrees
"I would have thought at least check it. Obviously, last play of the game and he crosses the game at least check to see if it was a possible try or not but that is footy at the end of the day," he said.
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