Andrew Fifita of Tonga reacts after his try attempt in the final seconds was disallowed during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Semi Final against England.

More than 27,000 people have signed an online petition calling for rugby league officials to explain why Tonga did not get a potential match winning try in their World Cup semifinal against England.

The match officials refused to order a video replay after Andrew Fifita crossed the line near the end of Tonga's 20-18 loss in Auckland on Saturday night.

Australia-based Tongan fan Vai'Ana Ta'ai started a petition on change.org with a single signature, and by Sunday morning had 27,013 supporters.

The petition staged: "Tonga v England. 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. Tongan players are not playing for money, but for their country, heritage and their families.

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"The game was not a fair one, in fact, England knew they had not won. Referees need to be held accountable for their choices, and there needs to be a legal process to ensure games are scored with fairness and integrity - like the old days. Let us have an understanding and an explanation from NRL officials on why this final try was not counted."

The Tongan fans who made up the majority of the 30.003 crowd at Mt Smart Stadium were incensed when referee Matt Cecchin ruled Fifita had lost the ball forward.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf could not believe Cecchin did not use the technology available like he had done several times earlier.

"I don't know if it's a try or not because I haven't seen it but I would've thought in those circumstances there's no way in the world you don't have a look it at," Woolf said.

"The game's on the line, it's the last play of the game. You look at other tries 10, 12 times and you don't have a look at that. I really don't understand that."

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