The World Cup's kicking rules set a 100-second deadline for taking a goal kick, with teams potentially fined for going over the limit.
Australia appeared to exceed it during Sunday night's 36-22 win over Fiji, a match in which Kevin Walters' team had rested several leading players.
With the score tied at 16-16, Sam Walker took a penalty kick in the 54th minute after Fiji's forward pack had put the Kangaroos under pressure.
His successful kick gave Australia an 18-16 lead, but prompted criticism from commentators watching the delay.
League legend Billy Moore said on ABC radio: "He is taking an absolute eternity."
Co-commentator Quentin Hull said: "He's manipuated the kicking tee twice and manipulated the way the ball is sitting on the tee three times. He's taking more time over this than a golfer who's got an eight-footer to win the US Masters."
The tournament uses the NRL's shot clock. Under its rules, a referee can stop the clock after 80 seconds, and the kick must be taken within 100 seconds.
Walker also took a lengthy time to attempt a conversion later in the game. Ben Dobbin said on Triple M: "I've never seen him take this long. There's gamesmanship and then there's gamesmanship. He's taking all the time in the world."
Todd Carney added: "It's in front…what's he doing!?"