World Rugby chief returns serve at Schmidt over MCG criticism
The World Rugby chief executive and chair Brett Robinson were in Sydney on Tuesday to launch the ticket program for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but the pair were forced to address the still-burning saga around referee Andrea Piardi's decision to not award a penalty to Australia in the dying moments of the second Test against the Lions.
The Lions scored on the next play to win the game and the series, and Schmidt came out swinging, saying Jac Morgan should have been penalised for hitting Carlo Tizzano on the neck and arguing the decision 'doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they [World Rugby] are talking about.'
After RA boss Phil Waugh said it would seek 'accountability' from WR, Gilpin said a review process with WR referee bosses, RA and the Lions would be finalised by Wednesday. World Rugby will deliver the findings to the teams, but not make it public, Gilpin said.
Part of the reasoning behind keeping the findings private, Gilpin said, was to protect Piardi and the match officials, given online abuse has in recent years had mental health consequences for referees, and even seen their families threatened.
Asked for his reaction to the global debate about Piardi's decision, Gilpin said: 'I think it is disappointing when the reaction is one of, 'This means player welfare isn't taken seriously', because we have worked really hard on that narrative. Everyone knows we are putting player welfare, in its broadest sense, at the top of the agenda.
'You can see that from what we are doing with the instrumented mouthguards, all the research, the science, the investigations. The way the laws of the game have evolved in the last few years is all about, 'How do we have this great physical contest, but make it as safe as possible?'
'That part is challenging, in terms of the player welfare statements. But we have a fantastic sport, played in front of an amazing crowd ... it's going to create talking points. As long as that continues to be a respectful debate then we've all got to lean into it.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force sign former All Black George Bridge on multi-year deal
Western Force have made an important addition to their outside backs by confirming the capture of New Zealand international George Bridge on a multi-year deal. The 19-time All Black and six-time Super Rugby champion has signed for Force on a two-year deal after three seasons with Montpellier in France's Top 14. Bridge's arrival follows the exit of Waratahs-bound talisman Harry Potter, and should give the Force a worthy counterpart to Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch. 30 year-old Bridge last played for New Zealand in 2021 but has scored 12 tries for the All Blacks, including two in four games at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and one in their 38-21 win over the Wallabies at Optus Stadium in 2021. At domestic level, the prolific Bridge clocked up 37 tries in 82 Super Rugby games for the Crusaders — including 15 in the 2018 season alone — and grabbed 11 tries across 48 matches for Montpellier. With Potter gone, Bridge and Pietsch should form an imposing back three for the Force alongside Mac Grealy, who enjoyed a strong debut season out west. Force coach Simon Cron was thrilled to secure a player of Bridge's calibre and praised his professionalism and rugby IQ. 'George is well known to a number of people on our staff and they can't speak highly enough of his professionalism, approach to the game and his rugby knowledge,' he said. 'He's got a massive left foot kick. He can play multiple positions. He's a brilliant player. An amazing talent. 'We know when we have injuries, it's important we have depth so we can progress deep into Super Rugby finals. 'He's got a huge amount to give. He's been playing at Montpellier at Top 14 level. I know a few NZ franchises were chasing him hard, but he wanted to join the Force.' Bridge, who will arrive in Perth in November after the Force's off-season Super Rugby AUS campaign, said he was excited to head to WA. 'They're a club heading in the right direction and I'm keen to take on the new challenge and contribute to the club's success,' he said. 'I've always loved my time in Perth, and with friends and good connections among the staff and players, it felt like the right fit.'
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Exceeds expectations': Lions a win for Rugby Australia
With the coffers bolstered by a larger than expected Lions windfall, Rugby Australia feels in good shape on and off the field heading into a home World Cup in 2027. Winning the third Test in a rousing performance Sydney, the Wallabies ended the series as 2-1 losers for the second successive tour but RA boss Phil Waugh says the close contest across the series secured its future. There was talk pre-tour that an uncompetitive Wallabies outfit could lead to Australia losing the 12-yearly series, with France touted as an alternative Lions destination. "We saw on the field, they got one point better than us and one try better than us and it was a really fierce Test battle," Waugh said. "Any of that speculation was shut down by a number of people, including their CEO, who spoke at various events committing to returning to Australia. "It would have been been nice to win the series, but if you look at the nine games across the country, the record (MCG) crowd, sold-out stadiums ... both in Rugby Australia but more broadly into the economy, it's been very successful off the field. "And then we've seen the progress of the Wallabies group. "It's been an overwhelmingly successful tour - it would have been nice to obviously win the trophy, but that wasn't to happen." RA was predicted to pocket more than $100 million from the tour, which will help clear the $60 million they've already spent from an $80 million loan taken out to safeguard the code. Waugh said while the figures were still being finalised, they had "exceeded expectations". "We're working through how the funds are flowing through on the back of the tour now but it's certainly exceeded expectations," the former Test flanker said. "It's been a good opportunity for us to reset the balance sheet and being quite overt and transparent around the fact that we've got the debt facility and ideally we pay that down as quickly as possible given the cost to carry it. "We're still planning to reset the balance sheet, clear the debt position and then lean into the next broadcast cycle to get to a financially sustainable model." Under coach Joe Schmidt the Wallabies have climbed back up the rankings to world No.6 following the all-time low of the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool exit. While Les Kiss has already been named as his successor, Schmidt will stay on until midway through next year after initially only signing on until the end of the Lions campaign. Waugh said the timeline still had the Wallabies on track for success at the next World Cup tournament in Australia despite Kiss only having a year in the hot seat. "We've been really considered and disciplined around the process of planning through to '27 and the transition plan we have for Joe and for Les," Waugh said. "Obviously the history that Les has had with Joe allows for a really seamless transition through to August next year. "The similarities between Joe and Les gives us great confidence that it's the right plan and we're on the right path." The Wallabies have the week off before they fly out for two Rugby Championship Tests against world champions South Africa, with the first in Johannesburg on August 17 (AEDT). RA remain hopeful powerhouse lock Will Skelton, who plays club rugby in France, will be available, saying he will be part of the medical checks this week.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lions' Sheehan banned for reckless Lynagh clearout
An illegal ruck clearout of Australia's Tom Lynagh in Sydney has earned British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan a four-match suspension. Leinster's Sheehan was cited for charging into a ruck and hitting Lynagh's head on Saturday in the third Test, which the Wallabies won 22-12. Lynagh, 22, kicked a penalty before later leaving the field after failing a head injury assessment, but the incident was not looked at by officials. Replays showed the 26-year-old's elbow appearing to make contact with Lynagh's head. At his disciplinary hearing, Sheehan disagreed that foul play occurred. But the panel found it was reckless with a high degree of danger. The panel suspended him from four club matches in September and October, but allowed him to be available for the fourth match if he completed World Rugby's tackle school. World Rugby deemed that his actions were "reckless" and went against the law that relates to charging into a ruck or maul. If he completes the coaching intervention, Sheehan will miss a pre-season game against Cardiff and two United Rugby Championship matches against South African sides Stormers and Sharks. An illegal ruck clearout of Australia's Tom Lynagh in Sydney has earned British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan a four-match suspension. Leinster's Sheehan was cited for charging into a ruck and hitting Lynagh's head on Saturday in the third Test, which the Wallabies won 22-12. Lynagh, 22, kicked a penalty before later leaving the field after failing a head injury assessment, but the incident was not looked at by officials. Replays showed the 26-year-old's elbow appearing to make contact with Lynagh's head. At his disciplinary hearing, Sheehan disagreed that foul play occurred. But the panel found it was reckless with a high degree of danger. The panel suspended him from four club matches in September and October, but allowed him to be available for the fourth match if he completed World Rugby's tackle school. World Rugby deemed that his actions were "reckless" and went against the law that relates to charging into a ruck or maul. If he completes the coaching intervention, Sheehan will miss a pre-season game against Cardiff and two United Rugby Championship matches against South African sides Stormers and Sharks. An illegal ruck clearout of Australia's Tom Lynagh in Sydney has earned British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan a four-match suspension. Leinster's Sheehan was cited for charging into a ruck and hitting Lynagh's head on Saturday in the third Test, which the Wallabies won 22-12. Lynagh, 22, kicked a penalty before later leaving the field after failing a head injury assessment, but the incident was not looked at by officials. Replays showed the 26-year-old's elbow appearing to make contact with Lynagh's head. At his disciplinary hearing, Sheehan disagreed that foul play occurred. But the panel found it was reckless with a high degree of danger. The panel suspended him from four club matches in September and October, but allowed him to be available for the fourth match if he completed World Rugby's tackle school. World Rugby deemed that his actions were "reckless" and went against the law that relates to charging into a ruck or maul. If he completes the coaching intervention, Sheehan will miss a pre-season game against Cardiff and two United Rugby Championship matches against South African sides Stormers and Sharks.
