New Zealand referee Ben O'Keeffe talks with players during the Rugby World Cup between Fiji and Australia.

New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe has been criticized in Australia for appearing to celebrate a Fiji try against the Wallabies.

The Wallabies won the tensed encounter over Fiji in their Rugby World Cup opener.

O’Keeffe was in charge of the thrilling match in Sapporo which Australia eventually won 39-21 after a spirited start by Fiji that had them leading at halftime.

According to Fox Sports the Kiwi “committed the cardinal sin” by giving one of the Fijian’s a low-five as they leaped to a 21-12 lead.

After Waisea Nayacalevu walks back from scoring between the posts, O’Keeffe extends his right arm to a Fijian player and reaches out for a low-five which the big Fijian obliges.

“Regardless of his intentions or the motivations behind the gesture, it just shouldn’t happen,” the Fox Sports report said.

They noted it also came as referees were under increased focus following a controversial opening weekend at the tournament.

That included Wallabies coach Michael Cheika being unhappy with O’Keeffe’s close scrutiny of star flanker David Pococok.

“The stuff on the ground, I’m not quite sure what’s going on but the team of three were talking about David Pocock from the first minute of the game,” Cheika said.

“I’m not sure what [Pocock’s] done but there was some severe focus on him.

“I heard his name mentioned between them on the commentary at least half a dozen times in their own chat when he hadn’t even been involved in the ruck.”

Former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns slammed that decision as “the biggest load of tripe that we have seen in world rugby for a long time”.

The Wallabies were left unhappy with wing Reece Hodge being cited for a dangerous tackle.

Former Wallabies hooker Phil Kearns slammed that decision as “the biggest load of tripe that we have seen in world rugby for a long time”.

Hodge could potentially face a Rugby World Cup ban after being cited for a tackle which left Fiji flanker Peceli Yato concussed.

Kearns, a two-time World Cup winner turned Fox Sports rugby commentator, claimed the citing was media-inspired.

“That is just rubbish that has been brought on by the press, there’s no doubt about it,” he said on Fox Sports Australia.

“That’s embarrassing for World Rugby that they’d even consider that.”