Australian rugby boss Phil Waugh has demanded World Rugby explain a controversial decision by the referee to award the British and Irish Lions a series-clinching try in the second Test.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was fuming after the game in Melbourne on Saturday, adamant that Italian official Andrea Piardi got it wrong.
Australia led for 79 minutes and were on the cusp of an upset when Hugo Keenan crossed at the death to seal an epic 29-26 comeback victory and the three-match series after the Lions won the first Test in Brisbane.
Schmidt was adamant the try should not have stood, citing a high clean-out in the lead-up by Welsh flanker Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano.
World Rugby rules state that contact made above the shoulders at the ruck is not allowed.
Piardi reviewed the incident and ruled there was no foul play, but Rugby Australia chief executive Waugh backed Schmidt’s interpretation.
“We’ve got the utmost respect in respecting the referee’s decision,” Waugh told The Australian newspaper on Monday, adding that the Lions deserved praise for their comeback win.
“But I do think there’s a level of accountability and explanation that needs to come with that. And we look forward to that.”
In his post-match comments, Schmidt said the decision “doesn’t really live up to the big player safety push” being made by World Rugby.
“My response is absolutely identical to Joe’s comments in the press conference,” said Waugh.
“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 to in that post-match press conference.
“I look forward to World Rugby’s response to it.”
According to reports, World Rugby’s top brass are in Sydney this week ahead of the final Test and Waugh is scheduled to meet them.
AFP
