Buy all of your Rugby World Cup 2023 programmes here<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong> Ireland storm into Rugby World Cup quarterfinals and send Scotland packing[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua accused Rugby World Cup referees of \u2018unconscious bias\u2019 against the smaller nations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Responding directly to a question about the number of penalties in the game – Samoa penalised 14 times to England\u2019s nine – he suggested that referees have an \u2018unconscious bias\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He also refuted claims that his stars had to get used to the decisions of \u2018elite\u2019 referees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mapusua said: \u201cThe guys in the blue jerseys play in the same tournaments as the guys in the white jerseys.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMaybe referees need more time with referees. Do referees have an unconscious bias when tier two sides play tier one sides? A lot of the guys are [club] team-mates.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI believe there is [unconscious bias]. I believe there has been in the past. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s anyone\u2019s fault; it\u2019s what I\u2019ve seen in our game for I don\u2019t know how many years; since I was playing.\u201d<\/p>\n The television match official did not intervene during a brawl that saw <\/span>Pierre Schoeman <\/span>shove Ireland\u2019s Dan Sheehan over the advertising hoardings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ollie Smith had snidely tripped Johnny Sexton as he made his way past him, with Sexton not reacting kindly to the underhand tactic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Scotland star rose from his feet and prompted a mass brawl between the two players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Schoeman was then seen shoving Sheehan over the advertising boards in what could have been extremely dangerous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, there was no punishment for Schoeman despite his aggressive action.\u00a0<\/p>\n An underwhelming England performance saw them just about edge past Samoa in an 18-17 triumph.\u00a0<\/p>\n Danny Care\u2019s late kick delivered a victory for the unbeaten Lions as they progress to the quarter-final.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Steve Borthwick\u2019s side were below-par against the Pacific Islanders and will need to be much better in the last-eight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is likely that they will play Fiji in the next round.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of Sunday’s Rugby World Cup news.\u00a0<\/p>\n Stay tuned for all the latest developments as the fallout from Saturday’s matches continues.\u00a0<\/p>\n We’ll also be looking ahead to the quarter-finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Watch one of the biggest crossover fights of the year on DAZN as KSI and Logan Paul face off against the opponants in Manchester on October 14th.<\/p>\n It costs \u00a320.99 and you also get to enjoy DAZN for the rest of the month for just \u00a31 thanks to a special deal.<\/p>\n The Pay-per-view costs \u00a320.99 and you’ll be able to enjoy all the action on the night.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/69\/590x\/secondary\/5000104.jpg?r=1696748112909\")
<\/p>\nRefs accused of ‘unconscious bias<\/h3>\n
TMO ignores Scotland-Ireland shove<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nEngland overcome Samoa – just<\/h3>\n
Welcome<\/h3>\n
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