Rugby-Wallabies coach Schmidt slams match officials over late call in loss to Lions
MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt said match officials had failed to uphold player safety and hit out at a late clear-out decision that ensured the British & Irish Lions clinched a series-sealing victory on Saturday.
Fullback Hugo Keenan's last-minute try put the Lions 29-26 up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but the Wallabies players cried foul after Jac Morgan cleared out Carlo Tizzano in the buildup.
After a lengthy pause as the TV match official assessed multiple angles of the incident, the try was allowed to stand, giving the Lions victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Citing rugby's Law 9.20, which says head contact and clear-outs around the neck should be penalised, an incensed Schmidt said the officials had got the decision wrong.
"Because they're human, match officials make errors," he said at the post-match press conference.
"We felt it was a decision that doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they're (World Rugby) talking about.
"You cannot hit someone above ... the shoulders.
"But that's what we've seen and we've watched a number of replays from different angles so it is what it is and we just have to accept it."
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was also convinced his team were hard done by.
"Obviously I saw shoulder to the neck. Carlo was pretty sore about it," he said.
Lions coach Andy Farrell had a different view.
"I thought it was a brilliant clear-out," he said.
"Honestly, it depends which side of the fence you come from, I would have thought.
"I can understand people's opinions, but I thought Jac was brilliant when he came on -- and so were the rest of the bench."
Schmidt said he was proud of his players but gutted by the final result after the Wallabies had taken a 23-5 lead near the half-hour mark.
While the Wallabies were bitterly disappointed that the clear-out decision had gone against them, they did not need to use it as motivation for the dead rubber in Sydney next Saturday.
"You can't get more motivated than what the players showed tonight," he added.
"You've got to keep resolve and keep going forward.
"We're not going to wallow in self-pity."
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Rugby-Rugby Australia want 'accountability' on late call in Lions test
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said he would seek an explanation from World Rugby on the late call by referee Andrea Piardi that ultimately decided the match and the series in the second test against the British & Irish Lions. Hugo Keenan's last-minute try gave the Lions a 29-26 win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but the Irish fullback only scored after Jac Morgan had cleared out Carlo Tizzano in a ruck in the buildup. The Wallabies wanted a penalty for high contact but Piardi allowed the try to stand, a decision slammed by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in his post-match press conference as contrary to World Rugby's campaign to improve player safety. "Joe's comments at the press conference were 100% aligned with mine as a CEO and a former Wallaby," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Our position on that particular decision is consistent to what Joe outlined in his analysis of that last breakdown. "Clearly there'll be the usual process, which is what happens after every test match, and we'll certainly be looking for a level of accountability from World Rugby over the next period of time." Waugh will not have to go far to air his views with senior World Rugby officials in Sydney this week for events looking forward to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Saturday's victory gave the Lions an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series ahead of the third and final test at Sydney's Stadium Australia this weekend. (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Cricket-Australia beat West Indies by three wickets in fourth T20
(Reuters) -Australia claimed a three-wicket victory over the West Indies in the fourth Twenty20 international on Saturday, barely needing to shift into top gear as they heaped more misery on the hosts who have yet to register a win in the five-game series. Chasing 206 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Australia lost opener Mitchell Marsh for a duck but Glenn Maxwell (47) and Josh Inglis (51) put together a 66-run partnership to lay the foundation for the chase. The visitors went on to clinch the win with four balls to spare and took a 4-0 lead in the series courtesy of Cameron Green's knock of 55 off 35 balls - his third half-century in the four matches. Jediah Blades was the pick of the West Indies' bowlers with 3-29 from his four overs. Earlier, spinner Adam Zampa took three wickets while fast bowlers Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett and Aaron Hardie took two apiece as the West Indies scored 205/9. Sherfane Rutherford topping the scoring for West Indies with his knock of 31. "To take a few early wickets, we know teams like the West Indies are going, with how deep they bat, we knew that they're going to come hard the whole innings, which they did," Australia captain Marsh said. "But, I thought the way we were able to navigate some tricky overs and keep taking wickets, I sort of feel 230 is probably par on that. I thought it was an outstanding effort with the ball." The final game of the series takes place at the same venue on Monday, before Australia return home for a limited-overs series against South Africa, while the West Indies host Pakistan for three T20Is and three one-day internationals. (Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Rugby-Wallabies are making progress despite Lions loss, says coach Schmidt
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 9, 2024 Australia head coach Joe Schmidt before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo (Reuters) -Australia coach Joe Schmidt is confident the Wallabies are on an upward trajectory despite seeing his side slip to a late series-deciding loss to the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday. The 29-26 defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was the Wallabies second in succession against Andy Farrell's team and means the Australians have only pride to play for in the final test in Sydney next weekend. The nature of the performance from a Wallabies side that held an 18-point lead over the tourists at one point before Hugo Keenan's last-gasp winning try has given Schmidt belief his team are moving in the right direction. "I think they are progressing," said the New Zealander. "It's never linear. It always tends to ebb and flow. "Our challenge is to try and be as consistent as we can, even within the game. When you build a lead of 23-5 and that slips, that's hugely disappointing. Particularly when it happens in the last play of the game. "We are trying to build consistency, we're trying to play a brand of rugby that entertains people and at the same time a brand of rugby that we enjoy playing. "I'm really proud of the effort the players put in and I'm really disappointed for them." Schmidt's side for the third test is likely to be missing wing Harry Potter, who was replaced by Tate McDermott in the 19th minute of the game. "I don't think Harry Potter will be fit, that's a hamstring injury that looked severe enough to put him out for a period of time, so that might be an opportunity for somebody else," said Schmidt. "We've got a fair few bumps and bruises, including some fall-out from the last action of the game and we'll get players checked out and see how they come through." The Wallabies have announced former New Zealand lock Tom Donnelly will join the set-up as an assistant coach ahead of the Rugby Championship. He will replace the departing Geoff Parling. (Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Peter Rutherford)
