Michael Cheika has taken aim at referee Nigel Owens for allowing play to continue in the third Test after England regained possession and scored a try on the back of a high kick that hit SpiderCam.

In a controversial moment that brought back memories of Australian cricket captain Steve Smith dropping a catch in a Test match against India at the SCG after it almost bumped SpiderCam, Cheika was far from pleased after his side's 44-40 loss to England on Saturday.

It all started when England five-eighth Owen Farrell put up a high bomb in the 42nd minute, which hit the SpiderCam wires. Ben Youngs then caught the ball while Australia's defenders were out of position and still adjusting to the deflection.

Referee Owens said immediately after the incident to Wallabies captain Stephen Moore: "Because it came down and it's a 50-50 as to who gets there first, nobody gained any advantage from it and that's why I let play continue."

Billy Vunipola scored shortly after in the 44th minute to put the visitors up 22-18 with a kick to come and Cheika was livid about the decision.

Asked whether he was happy with the call, Cheika said: "No. It can't hit the camera wire and play on. He [Owens] said over the microphone 50-50 for each team. If you're waiting to catch a ball and it hits the wire you're all of a sudden out of position. And the ball's being kicked to us. I don't see how that can be play on. But what do you do?"

According to Law 20.4 (d) should the ball come into contact with SpiderCam or the SpiderCam causes a stoppage in play, "the team that was moving forward before the stoppage will be awarded a scrum. If neither team was moving forward the attacking team is awarded a scrum."

World Rugby have been contacted for clarification about whether the correct decision was made given the SpiderCam was positioned almost right on the halfway line.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore said there needed to be more consistency around what should happen if the ball hit Spidercam again.

"I think there has to be a clear rule about that," Moore said. "If it hits the wire it's got to be an outcome hasn't there? I don't think you just say play on."

Fox Sports, who are in charge of operating SpiderCam for their broadcast, say they adhered to the guidelines which state the camera has to "operate at a height of between 20 and 26 metres" in the air.

In the same play Moore appeared to be distracted by a linesman when Australia had a lineout. The throw was long and England scored shortly after.

​"There's a little bit too much intervention," Cheika said. "Moorey was throwing a lineout ball and the linesman was pushing him in the back. It's the one we missed down near our line. As he's throwing it over the top, he's in the microphone telling England to get out of the way.

"He's pushing Stephen in the back while he's throwing the ball in the lineout. And he misses the throw. We held the guy up but I think he scored off the next play.

"That intervention is not required, and when the thing hits the SpiderCam, then the intervention is needed. I don't think anyone would think that it's a fair go after that, but anyway."

Moore didn't want to make excuses about the incident but said: "He was talking to the ref and telling me to stop."