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Reuters
6 hours ago
- Reuters
Piardi call in Australia-Lions test should be accepted, Erasmus says
July 29 (Reuters) - South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus believes the decision to award the British & Irish Lions a series-winning try in last weekend's 29-26 win, opens new tab over Australia was "touch-and-go" but World Rugby's explanation of the contentious call should be accepted. The Lions won the test with a try from Hugo Keenan in the final seconds but Australia believe a ruling from referee Andrea Piardi at a ruck immediately beforehand was incorrect. Australia coach Joe Schmidt said the call was an error in his post-match press conference, suggesting Jac Morgan's clear-out of Carlo Tizzano was dangerous, and Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said he would seekg "accountability" from World Rugby over it. But Erasmus, who received a two-month ban from World Rugby for a 62-minute video that was critical of Australian referee Nic Berry after the first Lions test in South Africa in 2021, said he could see both sides of the argument. "I had Australia (winning) by four points in the game, so I lost our internal (coach's competition) on that one," Erasmus told reporters with a smile on Tuesday. "It's such a tough decision. World Rugby has come out to say it was the right decision. It was a very tough call for the referee to make. "If I was Joe, I would be really disappointed, and if I was (Lions coach) Andy (Farrell), I would be really happy. I think it was touch-and-go, so I can understand both sides of what each coach sees. "But World Rugby has ruled on it and that is what everybody has to accept." World Rugby chief Alan Gilpin backed the call from Piardi earlier on Tuesday. "We do share with Joe and the coaching team why the match officials made that decision," he said. "Joe's got a view about what was wrong with that decision and there'll be a debate so that Joe and his players can go into the next test understanding how that game's going to be officiated." South Africa will host Australia in two Rugby Championship tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town next month. Italian Piardi will officiate the defending champion Springboks' final match in the competition against Argentina in London in October.
South Wales Guardian
6 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Maro Itoje eager to preserve ‘history and tradition' of Lions tours
The Lions currently visit Australia, New Zealand and South Africa on rotation, but there has been growing support for rugby-loving France to join them because of the strength of their Test team and club game, as well as the commercial opportunities. But three days after leading Andy Farrell's men to a series-clinching victory over the Wallabies, with Saturday's final Test in Sydney still to play, Itoje revealed his preference is for the Lions' heritage to be preserved. 'I thought about this at the beginning of the tour. My answer is, with the three nations that the Lions tour, there's a strong sense of history and tradition,' Itoje said. 'Perhaps the Lions is the last of the traditional organisations in the modern era. Part of me is keen for it to continue to rotate among the three countries it does. But, that being said, you have to stay relatively open-minded. 'As it stands, the three nations it tours is pretty good. Also it wouldn't feel the same if we took a short-haul flight. It needs a long-haul flight.' The Lions' passage through Australia had been something of a procession until they reached Melbourne, where they were pushed to the brink first by the First Nations and Pasifika XV and then the Wallabies. The 29-26 triumph in the second Test, made possible by overturning an 18-point deficit, will go down as one of the greatest games in their history and has provided validation for the entire 2025 expedition. Furthermore, with a record crowd for a Lions match in attendance at Melbourne Cricket Ground, it was a reminder of their pulling power, with Itoje insisting the institution described by manager Ieuan Evans as a 'glorious anachronism' is here to stay. What a night! 🙌🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 28, 2025 'It's been without a shadow of a doubt one of the highlights of my career,' said Itoje, who was also part of the 2017 and 2021 tours. 'When I am old and grey these occasions and these tours are going to be one of the experiences I look back on with extreme fondness. 'It's the aspiration of every British and Irish rugby player. I'd be surprised if you can find a British and Irish rugby player who says they don't want to be a Lion or they don't want to play for the Lions. 'This is something the players want and the players will continue to want for decades and for as long as rugby is being played. And it's something world rugby wants. 'It adds an extra bit of spice and intrigue to the Six Nations when it's Lions year. So I am struggling to see the negatives. It's a great occasion, it's a great event and long may it continue.' If the Lions prevail at Accor Stadium on Saturday, they will become the first team to whitewash the hosts in a Test series since 1927. 'We still have a job to do. We want to be part of something very special,' Itoje said. 'Winning a Lions series is obviously extremely special, but what would be an absolute dream would be to go out there and perform to the level that we think we can perform and win the third game. 'That's the exciting for us – we want to chase down the performance we have been searching for.'
South Wales Guardian
6 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Trio return for final Lions Test but ‘devastated' Garry Ringrose misses out
McCarthy, Tuipulotu and Hansen are in contention for the Sydney showdown after missing Saturday's 29-26 victory over the Wallabies that clinched the series with a game to spare. All three have completed their rehab for their respective foot, hamstring and foot injuries and took part in Tuesday's low-key training session. Back to Sydney for the last dance! 🙌🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 28, 2025 However, Ringrose has been left 'devastated' as the 12-day minimum return-to-play protocol for concussion means he will miss the entirety of a series which he entered as first choice outside centre. The Ireland star self-reported his concussion symptoms shortly before the team for the second Test was named last Thursday, resulting in his withdrawal from the starting XV. 'Garry was playing some amazing rugby throughout this tour,' attack coach Andrew Goodman said. 'It's been a dream of his for so long to represent the Lions and he's managed to do that, but he wanted to be a Test-match Lion so it's been devastating for him. 'He's disappointed for himself, but he's getting around everyone and making sure he helps prepare everyone as much as he can.' Andy Farrell announces his team for the third Test on Thursday and must decide to what extent he should freshen up his matchday 23 given they went toe to toe with the Wallabies for 80 gripping minutes at Melbourne Cricket Ground. There is also the question of whether to rotate in players as reward for those who have missed out so far in the series, but Goodman has discounted this approach. 'It will be the best team available to win the series. That might look like some changes, that might look like consistency,' he said. 'You've got to reward form when guys have been playing well and are match-hardened in those Test matches. It is a balance.' The Lions celebrated their success with friends and family for two days but have now hardened their resolve to become the first side to record a whitewash since the 1927 visit to Argentina and first side to go unbeaten in the Tests since the 1974 expedition to South Africa. 'It's huge. It's everything for us as a group to get excited about,' Goodman said. 'It was 1974 the last time a Lions team went through the Test series unbeaten, so there's huge motivation for the group. 'Andy has been massive on that since the start, his expectation not just of the players but us as management and coaches to be the most successful team. 'It has been driving us not just as players, but as a management group every day to get better every day and push each other forward. 'After two hard, physical Tests it's about getting the battery filled up and making sure we're good to go by the end of the week.'
