Waratahs hit back at Lions' accusations of dirty tricks
In their most underwhelming performance of the tour so far, the Lions struggled to put away the Waratahs, who finished eighth in Super Rugby Pacific, committing 20 turnovers and only scoring one try after half-time.
Farrell was far from satisfied with his team's performance but suggested their struggles at the breakdown were the result of underhand tactics. 'The pitch was very wet and I was asking Mike Catt (Waratahs attack coach) after the game and he was laughing,' Farrell said. 'I mean, that's good tactics from them, isn't it? That the ball's slippy, the breakdown's ferocious enough and the line speed is high-octane stuff as well from them.'
Asked to elaborate on his insinuation, Farrell said: 'Catty just laughed. We've seen that done plenty of times. I don't know whether the pitch needed watering. It is good, isn't it? That is what you would do, if you are waiting for this type of game to come it is huge for all the clubs as we have talked about all along. We know what is coming and we have got to be ready for anything and able to adapt.'
Farrell's comments drew short shrift from the Waratahs who pointed out that Sydney was the victim of a bomb cyclone on Tuesday which left more than five inches of rainfall in some areas. 'See the weather on Tuesday, that f---ing sucked,' captain Hugh Sinclair said in the most Australian way possible.
The pitch at the Allianz Stadium has suffered from drainage issues all year and is set to be replaced later this summer with head coach Dan McKellar denying the fact they had watered it. 'No, no, no. He was probably sunning himself in Brisbane on Tuesday, but no,' McKellar said. 'No, I had too much to think about to be worried about watering the pitch.'
After suffering tour-ending injuries in their last two matches to Elliot Daly and Tomos Williams respectively, the Lions were at least able to come through the Waratahs match unscathed, although flanker Henry Pollock was withdrawn with a calf strain.
'We had a bit of an awareness on a calf strain that was tight enough this morning,' Farrell said. So knowing what we knew, there was no need to risk him.'
"To say that we left a few out there was an understatement."
Andy Farrell says the match against the Waratahs is good learning for the Lions team 🏉 pic.twitter.com/662tZoKa5I
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 5, 2025
However, Owen Farrell, who controversially replaced Daly, is unlikely to be ready for the Lions' next match on Wednesday against the Brumbies. 'I don't honestly know, but I would think Wednesday's too soon as far as jet lag and protocols that you need to go through in regards to that,' Farrell said. 'So, I wouldn't think Wednesday.'
While the Lions escaped Sydney with a win, it feels they lost momentum with Farrell annoyed at their profligacy after only converting three tries from 18 visits to the 22. 'There's a bit of frustration there,' Farrell said. 'It's nice to get a win but I suppose at this stage we're trying to judge the performance a little bit more.
'Disappointed enough with the amount of possession and territory that we had and how we dealt with certain situations. A different type of game but are we glad that's happened to us? Yeah, we are because there's some good learnings that we need to learn quickly in regards to that type of game.'
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The Independent
39 minutes ago
- The Independent
George Ford is conductor supreme as England land on formula for the future in Argentina win
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Wales star banned for 'reckless' act and coach denies Andy Farrell accusation
Today's rugby news as Wales star banned for 'reckless' act and coach denies Andy Farrell accusation The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Farrell has accused the Waratahs of using a sneaky tactic These are your latest rugby headlines on Sunday, July 6. Wales star banned for 'reckless' act Wales U20s star Louie Trevett has been banned for three matches after being shown a red card during his side's 35-21 defeat to France at the World Rugby U20 Championship clash on Friday. The replacement prop had only been on the field for a minute when he was sent to the sin-bin for an illegal ruck clear out on openside flanker Noa Traversier, which left the Frenchman screaming in pain. After an off-field review, Trevett was judged to be deserving of a 20-minute red card, with Wales conceding 14 points and falling to defeat as they saw out the game with 14 men. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Now, the 20-year-old Bristol Bears player - who spent time on loan with Scarlets last season - has been handed a three match suspension for the "reckless" act by an independent disciplinary committee. A statement from World Rugby on Saturday read: "An Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has convened to consider a sanction for Louie Trevett (Wales). Trevett received a red card during the France v Wales match in the World Rugby U20 Championship match at the Stadio Mario Battaglini in Rovigo. "The independent FPRC has confirmed a three-match suspension to Trevett after determining an action contrary to Law 9.20(e) (dropping weigh or targeting lower limbs) during the Wales match against France on 4 July, 2025. The sanction has been accepted by the player. Article continues below "In determining the sanction, the FPRC reviewed the matter, including all submissions and footage, determined that Trevett's actions were contrary to Law 9.20(e) (dangerous clear out), in that the action was reckless, the action was dangerous to the victim player, but that the involvement of another player contributed to the offending action. "The Committee decided the incident warranted a mid-range entry point of 6 matches. The FPRC decided to propose a three-match suspension taking all factors into account. The player has accepted the sanction." Trevett will now miss Wales' pool stage match against Spain next week, as well as the two further knockout matches they are set to play at the tournament. Farrell cries foul By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Correspondent, Sydney Andy Farrell suggested the Allianz Stadium pitch had been deliberately watered to assist the New South Wales Waratahs as his British and Irish Lions toiled to an ugly 21-10 victory. The Lions produced comfortably their worst performance of the tour two weeks out from the first Test against the Wallabies with Huw Jones' two tries and an important touch down by Alex Mitchell among the few highlights. Sydney was hit by a "bomb cyclone" earlier in the week, leading to heavy rain and gale force winds, but Farrell suspected skulduggery from the Waratahs in an attempt to even up the game. And a conversation with Mike Catt, one of Farrell's coaching lieutenants with Ireland who is now in charge of the Waratahs' attack, appeared to confirm his suspicions. "The pitch was very wet and I was asking Mike Catt after the game and he was laughing," head coach Farrell said. "I mean, that's good tactics from them isn't it? The ball's slippy, the breakdown's ferocious enough and the line speed is high octane stuff as well from them. "I mean, he just laughed. Catty just laughed. We've seen that done plenty of times. I don't know whether the pitch needed watering." When it was put to Farrell that Sydney had been hit by storms until Wednesday, he replied: "We know all that, but we have been here for two days now and it has been glorious. The pitch was OK and we are not complaining. "It is good, isn't it? That is what you would do if you are waiting for this type of game to come - it's huge for all the clubs. "We know what is coming and we have got to be ready for anything and able to adapt." The Waratahs laughed off Farrell's concerns about the pitch, with captain Hugh Sinclair declaring: "See the weather on Tuesday? That sucked." Waratahs coach Dan McKellar added: "No, no, no. I'd too much to think about to be worried about watering the pitch. Andy was probably sunning himself in Brisbane on Tuesday." For all his gripes about the pitch, Farrell was quick to admit the Lions' error-ridden performance against a side that fought hard in the air and on the floor was a bad day at the office. "There's a bit of frustration there. It's nice to get a win but at this stage we're trying to judge the performance a little bit more," said Farrell, who had seen his tourists compile big wins against Western Force and Queensland Reds. "We are disappointed enough with the amount of possession and territory that we had and how we dealt with certain situations. "A different type of game but are we glad that's happened to us? Yes we are because there are some good learnings that we need to learn quickly in regards to that type of game." The Lions head to Canberra on Monday where they will play the ACT Brumbies - Australia's strongest Super Rugby franchise - two days later. Farrell revealed that his son Owen Farrell is unlikely to be considered for selection until Saturday's match against an AUNZ Invitational XV because of jet lag having only arrived into camp on Friday. The 33-year-old can start training right away having passed all return to play protocols for the concussion he sustained on Racing 92 duty on May 4. Lions slammed as 'loud and ignorant' Australian coach and pundit Matt Williams has hit out at the British & Irish Lions' "loud and ignorant" complaints over Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt not releasing his best players to their club sides for their pre-Test tour games, claiming the tourists have "badly misjudged" the reaction to their remarks. After arriving Down Under last month, the Lions demanded that Schmidt release the Wallabies' biggest Test stars back to their club sides for their other tour fixtures, claiming that not doing so would amount to a breach of the agreed tour contract. However, the 59-year-old has held firm in the face of criticism and has now been backed by Williams, who has warned Andy Farrell and his squad that their "moaning" has stoked "resentment" within the Australia camp. 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England beat Argentina By PA Sport Staff England recovered from two first-half sin-bins to down Argentina by a 35-12 score with Test centurion George Ford kicking 15 points. Alex Coles and debutant Seb Atkinson were shown yellow cards by referee Angus Gardner to temporary reduce Steve Borthwick's team to 13 men in La Plata, but after a superb regard defensive action, England were much improved after the break. Tom Roebuck grabbed a first try within two minutes of the restart and added another after Freddie Steward crossed over. Caden Murley concluded the scoring with five minutes left on a night where co-captain Ford showed his class on his 100th appearance for England. All eyes were on Ford initially, but it was scrum-half Ben Spencer who did most of the kicking early on with a number of box kicks as Argentina dominated territory. Infringements were a regular occurrence from England and Coles was first to be sent to the sin-bin for a head-on-head contact with Facundo Isa. It was followed by rock-solid English defence led by co-captain Jamie George and after Santiago Carreras missed a simple penalty for Argentina, Ford landed a drop goal to conjure memories of his virtuoso display in the 2023 World Cup group stage. Atkinson followed Coles in being shown a yellow following a succession of team offsides, which reduced England to 13 men. However, George again starred to keep Argentina at bay and while Ford missed another drop goal effort, it remained 3-0 at half-time. England started the second period with better intent and needed only 65 seconds to score the first try of the match. A fine carry by Ben Curry was followed by quick ball from Ford and Steward, who found Sale wing Roebuck and he crashed over on the right. Ford failed to add the extras, but quickly made amends with a superb pass to release his former Leicester team-mate Steward for England's second try. This time Ford kicked the conversion and the purple patch continued as Roebuck grabbed another in the 49th minute. After being stopped just short of the try-line after a free-flowing move, Roebuck made no mistake second time around to help England move 22-0 ahead. Pablo Matera helped Argentina to produce an instant response and when Pedro Rubiolo finished off a superb team attack minutes later, the momentum had suddenly shifted. Borthwick turned to his bench as Guy Pepper was introduced for his Test debut, but fittingly it was Ford who took charge on his 100th international outing with two inch-perfect penalties - the second from near the halfway line. Article continues below Harlequins wing Murley entered the fray with eight minutes later and wrapped up the scoring with an excellent finish before Ford kicked his third conversion to help England begin their summer tour in style.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Australia score late try to snatch win over Fiji
Australia 21 (14)Tries: Porecki, McReight, Wilson Cons: Lolesio 2, DonaldsonFiji 18 (5)Tries: Rayasi, Tagitagivalu Cons: Muntz Pens: Muntz 2 Captain Harry Wilson's try one minute from full-time denied Fiji a famous win in Wallabies laboured in their only warm-up fixture for before their first Test against the British and Irish Lions on 19 July in Schmidt's side did little to worry Lions head coach Andy Farrell, as Fiji - seeking their first win in Australia in more than 70 years - fought back from 14-5 down to lead 18-15 heading into the closing by hooker Dave Porecki and flanker Fraser McReight put the hosts in control as half-time debutant Salesi Rayasi, who is a former New Zealand sevens player, with the final play of the half produced a wonderful finish to close the gap.A forward pass from Ben Donaldson ruled out a third score for Australia early in the second half as Schmidt's failed to master a spirited Fiji side.A stunning break by Jiuta Wainiqolo from deep inside his own half set up Lekima Tagitagivalu for a try to put Mick Byrne's side back within striking Caleb Muntz kicked two penalties to put the Pacific Island side on the brink of another win over Australia, following their 22-15 victory at the 2023 Rugby World Wilson showed great strength to ground the ball under enormous pressure to deny the visitors at the death.A further area of concern for Australia was the sight of Noah Lolesio, the likely starting fly-half against the Lions, being carried off on a stretcher after a nasty head injury. Line-ups Australia: Wright; Potter, Suaalii, Ikitau, Jorgensen; Lolesio, McDermott; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, Gleeson, McReight, Wilson (capt).Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Nonggorr, Hooper, Tizzano, White, Donaldson, Rayasi; Ravouvou, Masi, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Muntz, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Ikanivere (capt), Ravai, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Tagitagivalu, Canakaivata, Matavesi, Hetet, Doge, Vocevoce, Tuisue, Baselala, Ravula, Maqala.
