Latest news with #Waugh
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Wallabies want 'accountability' over controversial Lions try
Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh has backed Joe Schmidt's criticism of the match officials after Saturday's Lions Test in Melbourne. The British and Irish Lions clinched their series versus the Wallabies with a game to spare after Hugo Keenan's late try sealed a 29-26 win after an epic Test at the MCG. That winning try was clouded by controversy though, with the score eventually being awarded after a TMO check for possible foul play by Lions flanker Jac Morgan, who had cleared out Australia's Carlo Tizzano in the build-up. Australia head coach Schmidt made his feelings clear after the game, saying the decision to award the try didn't stack up with World Rugby's drive for better player safety. And the former Ireland boss has been given his backing by Rugby Australia chief executive Waugh, who says they will be seeking an explanation from the game's governing body. "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." The incident has dominated the Australian sports media since Saturday night, with the Sunday Telegraph's back page headline simply reading "ROBBED", before saying referee Andrea Piardi "ruined our shot at victory" with his decision to award the try. Naturally, most northern hemisphere pundits have backed Piardi's decision, and Morgan's technique at the breakdown, with the bulk of the criticism levelled at the door of Tizzano for milking the collision. Former England and Lions flanker James Haskell was the most vocal as he called for the Australia flanker to be carded for allegedly taking a dive. Wallabies pair Nick Frost and Max Jorgensen spoke to the media on Monday, and used the opportunity to give their support to their team-mate. "A lot of the forwards put ourselves in harm's way a lot of the time. It's tough on the body," Frost said. "It's hard when you've got guys [pundits] who aren't on the field – I know they're ex-players – but when the people are on the field day in and day out and putting their body [on the line]. "Especially a guy like Carlo, who always gets over the ball. It's tough. "It's a tough one for him. We don't really listen to outside noise, whatever the media says around that stuff. It's the first time I've heard of it. "It's disappointing in general that this series is done for us. "Carlo is there as a competitor like he always is, he's trying to get on ball. "The 7 puts his hands there, he's there first and gets hit pretty hard with a full-force cleanout. "It is what it is. We can't do anything about a decision. Joe's spoke about all of that stuff, but for us, we're trying to compete for the ball there." Jorgensen, who scored a try in the opening Test in Brisbane, said the defeat felt like a sucker-punch after the Wallabies had been leading the game since the fifth minute. "It really hurts, it's a tough pill to swallow," the 20-year-old said. "I was absolutely gutted personally, I know everyone in the team was. "To have to wait another 12 years to have the chance of getting a series win is obviously devastating."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Man admits a £26,000-plus benefit fraud after failing to inform DWP of change
A NORTH Cumbria man has admitted a £26,000-plus benefit fraud which occurred during a period of more than two-and-a-half years. Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard 49-year-old Ian Andrew Waugh was also subject to a crown court-imposed suspended prison sentence when he committed a fraud offence between December 6, 2021, and July 4 last year. During a short hearing this morning (Monday) in front of a deputy district judge, Waugh pleaded guilty to one charge: dishonestly failing to notify a charge of circumstances which affected entitlement to social security benefit. Court papers show he did so by dishonestly failing to promptly notify the Department for Work and Pensions that his children were no longer residing with him. This is said to have resulted in an overpayment of universal credit totalling £26,278.62. In May 2022, Waugh appeared at Carlisle Crown Court where a judge suspended an 18-month jail term. The court heard a bitter Facebook fallout ended violently as Waugh subjected his victim to an attack with a crow bar which left him with a fractured skull and a head wound which was stapled. Committing the offence of benefit fraud put Waugh in breach of that suspended sentence. Deputy district judge Roger Lowe adjourned the case and requested that a probation service pre-sentence report be prepared before Waugh receives his punishment. Waugh, of Millriggs, Great Corby, is due to be sentenced by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court on August 26. In the meantime he has been granted unconditional bail.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- 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)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Rugby Australia want 'accountability' on late call in Lions test
SYDNEY - 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. REUTERS
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rugby Australia to seek answers from World Rugby over MCG call
Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh has backed Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt over his post-match spray about the controversial decision to not penalise the Lions for foul play before their match-winning try at the MCG, and said RA would be seeking 'a high level of accountability' from World Rugby about the referee's calls this week. Waugh's firm stance came after Schmidt slammed Italian referee Andrea Piardi for not awarding a match-defining penalty in the 79th minute of the Lions' 29-26 win in Melbourne. Lions fullback Hugo Keenan scored in the last minute secure a series-clinching victory, but Schmidt came out swinging over an incident at the previous ruck, where Welsh flanker Jac Morgan cleaned out Carlo Tizzano with a hit on the back of the neck. The Wallabies argued Morgan should have been penalised for breaching Law 9.20, which prohibits contact above the shoulders at a ruck. With the Wallabies leading by two points, a penalty would have likely seen the series go to a decider on Saturday at Accor Stadium. Piardi reviewed the incident but ruled there it was not foul play because both players had arrived at the same time and Morgan had not used a shoulder. Schmidt said Piardi appeared unwilling to make a big call in the last minute, and the decision 'doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they [World Rugby] are talking about. 'That decision, you only have to look at law 9.20. It's what they're there to enforce. A player who dives off his feet is clearly beaten to the position over the ball, makes neck contact, it was a tough one to take.' World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin and chairman Brett Robinson were guests at the MCG, ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup events with Waugh and RA this week in Sydney.
