SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 10: Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh speaks to the media during a Rugby Australia press conference at Rugby Australia HQ on December 10, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Australia led for 79 minutes in Melbourne and were on the cusp of an upset when Lions fullback Hugo Keenan crossed at the death to seal an epic 29-26 comeback victory and the three-match series.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 10: Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh speaks to the media during a Rugby Australia press conference at Rugby Australia HQ on December 10, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Australian rugby boss Phil Waugh wants an explanation from World Rugby over the referee’s controversial decision to award the British & Irish Lions a series-clinching try in the second Test
Waugh demands ‘accountability’ from World Rugby
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was fuming after the game, adamant that Italian official Andrea Piardi should not have awarded the try, citing a high clean out by Welsh flanker Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano in the lead-up to the try.
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.
