Tonga told the call to rule out last minute try was RIGHT

TONGA were NOT robbed of a World Cup final place.

Andrew Fifita claimed he had a winning try taken away from him by ref Matt Cecchin’s knock-on call after they roared back from 20-0 down to 20-18 on Saturday.

Coach Kristian Woolf questioned why he did not go to the video referee.

Fans have already made their mind up as more than 50,000 have signed a petition claiming England’s win was ‘stolen’.

There were even protests in Auckland from outraged fans, organised by a Tongan community leader.

However, SunSport understands the belief is Cecchin’s call was 100 per cent correct.

It was deemed a loose carry and under tournament rules, a player has to make a deliberate attempt to strip the ball, which Elliott Whitehead did not.

In other words, Whitehead's dive and contact with Fifita's arm saved England’s final place!

That did not stop the NRL ace, who defected to Tonga from Australia on the eve of the tournament from questioning the crucial call.

Fifita said: "I was happy with it as a try. But grounded or not, everyone knows the outcome.

"It was very hurtful at the end, but it's done now.

"I have to move on now. I've been on the other end of that opportunity in a grand final and got it on the day. This one hurts, but we've had our opportunities and we had to capitalise."

Meanwhile, hooker Josh Hodgson will miss Saturday’s final after suffering a knee injury in the semi-final.

The Canberra ace has torn a cruciate ligament and may also miss the start of the next NRL season as fears grow he will be ruled out for at least six months.

Skipper Sean O’Loughlin is also a doubt with a thigh injury.