Speaking of refs, a contentious issue throughout the tournament has been whether or not the one-ref system, as used in RLWC2017, has proven more effective than the two-ref way of things in the modern NRL. Whether one ref has produced better footy is up for discussion, but Geyer says what it has done is open-up the game in a way local footy fans haven’t seen for quite some time.

“All of a sudden attrition is called upon,” he shares. “Obviously in NRL it’s called upon as well, but in this type of format the game-play isn’t as scrutinised as much as it is with two referees in control.

“There are less penalties, the players get buggered a lot quicker and we’re seeing a different type of game. We’re not seeing any wrestling in the tackles … It’s back to the old-school type of play. It’s good to watch.”

The French were well-beaten by Australia but were full of fighting spirit. (Photo by Getty Images)

“I have no doubt using one ref hinders one team more than the others … and that’s been Australia. If we’d had two referees for Australia’s games, the stop-start nature of these matches and the potency of the Kangaroos would have seen them beating their opponents by a lot more.

“For example, having one referee kept England in that opening game a lot longer, and I like that. I don’t want to see thrashings. We have seen some 40-point-plus blowouts in this tournament, but some of those have been expected. I don’t want to see Australia beating England by 40 points.”