World Rugby chief finds Joe Schmidt's comments 'disappointing'
Schmidt was vexed after referee Andrea Piardi chose to stay with his on field decision to award Hugo Keenan's winning try after reviewing Jac Morgan's clear out on Carlo Tizzano.
It was a decision that has clearly split the rugby world into two, with a lot of the discourse clearly being, 'Lions fans think it's fine' and 'Wallabies fans think it's not.' Joe Schmidt. Pic:Former Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt was staunchly on the Australia side of the argument and said after the match that Piradi's decision 'doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they [World Rugby] are talking about.'
Schmidt was obviously very upset with the decision in the aftermath of losing the test series to the Lions, but to bring World Rugby and their player safety agenda into it seemed a bit of an overreaction.
What was even more peculiar was his comments were backed by Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh as the union are seemingly squaring up to World Rugby. Joe Schmidt. Pic:It was then announced that Schmidt would face no action, unlike Rassie Erasmus and Mack Hansen who have previously received punishments from World Rugby and the URC in Hansen's case.
Speaking at an event revealing ticketing details for the 2027 World Cup, World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin hit back at Schmidt's comments.
'I think it is disappointing when the reaction is one of, 'this means player welfare isn't taken seriously'', Gilpin said at the event in Sydney. Alan Gilpin. Pic: Mark Metcalfe – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
'We have worked really hard on that narrative. Everyone knows we are putting player welfare, in its broadest sense, at the top of the agenda.
'You can see that from what we are doing with the instrumented mouthguards, all the research, the science, the investigations.
'The way the laws of the game have evolved in the last few years is all about, 'How do we have this great physical contest, but make it as safe as possible?'.' Joe Schmidt during the Australia rugby squad captain's run. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Schmidt and the Wallabies have a chance to avoid a whitewash this Saturday as they face the British & Irish Lions in the third and final test in Sydney with kick-off at 11am.
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