Rugby Australia calls for ‘level of accountability’ after backing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in row over last-gasp Lions try

Lawrence Nolan
Wallabies

A dejected Joe Schmidt after full-time in Melbourne

Rugby Australia have called on World Rugby to provide a “level of accountability” amid the furious ongoing fallout from Saturday’s Wallabies loss to the British and Irish Lions.

Joe Schmidt’s side were on the cusp of a series-levelling victory in Melbourne until the final minute when Hugo Keenan dashed in for the try that secured a 29-26 comeback victory for the tourists.

The Wallabies were angered by referee Andrea Piardi’s decision not to disallow the try for alleged foul play by Jac Morgan when clearing out Carlo Tizzano at a breakdown in the lead-up to the decisive score.

Head coach Schmidt claimed at his post-match media briefing: “Everyone can make their own decision on that. You just have to read Law 9.20, and I guess you just have to listen to the description from the referee and then watch the vision.

‘An explanation that needs to come…’

“We felt it was a decision that doesn’t really live up to the big player safety push that they are talking about.”
Phil Waugh, the retired Wallabies back-rower who is now Rugby Australia’s chief executive, has since backed up his head coach, calling on World Rugby to explain the decision reached by Piardi and his fellow officials at the MCG.

Speaking to News Corp, Waugh said: “We talk transparency with fans and fan engagement, ultimately everyone’s probably looking for a level of accountability. I look forward to World Rugby’s response to it.

“I was a player. I made plenty of mistakes, and players make errors. Referees at times will interpret things differently. But I do think there is a level of accountability and explanation that needs to come with that. And we look forward to that.”

Wayne Barnes wades into the heated debate over Jac Morgan’s Lions clear-out of Carlo Tizzano

He had nothing but support for Schmidt’s perspective. “I played professionally for 13 years and Joe’s coached professionally for 20 years, and both our views, and all those organisationally, are very aligned with what Joe talked about in that post-match press conference.

“Probably the number one priority for World Rugby is player welfare, and we have seen great progress made in that space. In a lot of ways, World Rugby lead world sport in protecting the safety of players.

“So the progress the game has made globally can’t be underestimated. World Rugby should be very proud around their leadership position on player welfare.”

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