Rugby World Cup 2019: Samu Kerevi left bemused by penalty controversy against Wales

Samu Kerevi has joked he'd consider a switch to the NRL, after being penalised in the most controversial decision of Australia's 29-25 Rugby World Cup loss to Wales on Sunday. 

Kerevi was penalised for running straight into Wales five-eighth Rhys Patchell with a raised forearm and the call changed momentum late in the first half. 

• Wales edge Australia in RWC thriller
• Wallabies coach Michael Cheika 'embarrassed' after Samu Kerevi controversy

The incident involved Patchell approaching Kerevi front-on and upright, before falling backwards to absorb the force of the bigger opponent.

But Kerevi was the man penalised, after a long consultation between French referee Romain Poite and TMO Ben Skeen, due to the raised forearm. 

Wallabies coach Cheika reckoned Patchell's technique mirrored that of Wallabies winger Reece Hodge, who was banned for three weeks for a head-high tackle against Fiji last week.  

Kerevi said slow-motion replays had worked against him, believing he had done nothing wrong. 

"I've been playing with that for my whole career," he said. "It's the first time I've heard that I can't lead with my arms and bump.

"The worrying thing is if he's falling and I keep moving forward, which I would normally do, I could touch his head." 

"What do we do in that split second? I might as well just stop." 

Kerevi said he may have to consider using footwork rather than go straight over the top of defenders, which has become his trademark. 

The 26-year-old has signed a three-year contract to play in Japan from next year, but laughed he may consider a code switch, if rugby's rules become more stifling. 

"I love my rugby league, so I'll have a look at NRL then. 

"If you want to play touch or go play basketball [then do it], but we're here to run straight at people." 

Join us at 11:15pm Monday for live updates of the Scotland v Samoa Rugby World Cup clash

AAP