England referee Matthew Carley has come under fire for his controversial decisions that contributed to Wales 32-26 win over the Flying Fijians in their Rugby World Cup opener in Bordeaux, France.

The Fijians had two tries disallowed as Carley kept on warning the Welsh players despite their frequent infringements, with no yellow cards being shown.

Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui said it was pretty tough with multiple penalties and no yellow card.

“Referees have got a tough job, but as a coach we’re looking for consistency,” he said.

Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu said they made mistakes and paid for it.

Here are some of the twits from rugby followers around the globe:

Former Scotland fly-half Ruaridh Jackson wrote: “Gutted for Fiji, Wales can thank Carley for that one. How they didn’t have more people in the bin was a joke.” 

England referee Matthew Carley during the RWC 2023 match between Wales v Fiji.
Source: AFP

Old school journalist Peter Jackson wrote: “Wales hang on to win the match of the weekend. Nick Tompkins terrific but @fijirugby have good reason to feel aggrieved at referee Matt Carley letting Wales off lightly. Penalty count 17-9 against Wales, one yellow card each.”

Former England Lewis Moody tweeted: “If there was s one question post Wales v Fiji, I’d love to understand why Wales got so may warnings after repeated infringements and Fiji had 1 infringement and an immediate yellow?”

Fiji rugby legend Nemani Nadolo wrote: “Yellow card after one penalty to Wales 4 warnings?. I’m confused.”

Senior Editor of @LWOSRugby, Robert Rees tweeted: “I’m sorry, but how is Matthew Carley being consistent there? Yellow card straight away at one end, 4 pens at the other and nothing but a warning. Fiji burned by officiating there.” 

Provocative former England fly-half Andy Goode tweeted: “Is Matt Carley secretly Welsh? Feel for Fiji” 

Former England and Fiji 7s coach Ben Ryan tweeted: “Err- multiple penalties for Wales on their own line and no yellow card and then Fiji cop one. Rugby is sooo inconsistent.”

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj