British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan cited for hit on Tom Lynagh
The incident was briefly looked at by the match officials just before halftime but Sheehan initially escaped punishment even though replays showed he entered a ruck at speed and appeared to make dangerous contact with Lynagh's head.
The Australian playmaker was taken from the field to undergo a head injury assessment, which he failed, preventing him from rejoining the match, which the Wallabies won 22-12.
Sheehan's actions at the ruck were hotly debated on social media, with many incredulous that he was let off as Australian supporters argued he should have been given an instant red card.
Tom Lynagh was substituted off after being hit in the head. Picture: Getty Images
PREMIUM RUGBY CONTENT
READ: Schmidt reveals secret weapon in Wallabies' win over Lions
READ: Rugby can't allow Lions win to mask Wallabies' many issues
READ: Every player rated: Skelton and Tupou star, Suaalii stuns
An independent reviewer later looked back at the incident and World Rugby subsequently released a statement in the early hours of Sunday morning announcing Sheehan had been cited and would face an expedited hearing later that day.
'British & Irish Lions player Dan Sheehan will have a citing complaint reviewed by an independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) after being cited by the independent citing commissioner Adrien Menez for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.20 (a) (a player must not charge into a ruck or maul …) in the Australia v British & Irish Lions third test in Sydney on Saturday, 2 August,' World Rugby said in the statement.
Asked about the incident after the match, Lions coach Andy Farrell said he couldn't comment because he hadn't looked at it yet.
'There are all sorts of rugby incidents that we can pull apart. I've seen quite a few more incidents as well,' he said.
'We'll always go through the right channels when that's concerned.'
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was also tight-lipped after launching a blistering attack on the way officials deal with head knocks from collisions at rucks after the Television Match Official failed to penalise the Lions over another contentious clean-out that would have ruled out their series-winning try in the second Test in Melbourne.
But Schmidt was biting his tongue this time when asked about the hit on Lynagh, the talented young son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh.
'In live, we didn't see Tom's incident, and it was probably a little bit later that we got a glimpse of it, and that's all I've seen so far,' Schmidt said.
Dan Sheehan has been cited for foul play. Picture: Getty Images
'So I'd rather not comment on it until I've seen it. But … You know, there's always a difficulty for a TMO, I guess. He's watching the main TV broadcast, and then if he doesn't pick it up there, then he doesn't' access the other angles because everything's happening so quickly.'
Schmidt did say that he didn't think there was any malice from the Irish hooker and also that he had checked in on Lynagh's health to ensure he was OK
'I've got massive respect for Dan,' Schmidt said.
'There's a few things like that that will happen in a really physical contest.
'For us with Tom, he is still a young kid and we'll try to look after him and make sure that he's fully fit on the back of getting that knock. But I had a good chat to him after the game and he's pretty resilient.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
14 minutes ago
- ABC News
Kelia Mehani Gallina becomes youngest-ever WSL competitor, set to face Australia's Molly Picklum
Australian surfer Molly Picklum is riding a wave of momentum in 2025 that has her standing at the top of the World Surf League (WSL). The Gosford-born rider heads into this week's Tahiti Pro in a rich vein of form, making the final in the past three events, including victory in Rio de Janeiro. But when Picklum hits the water at the world-famous Teahupo'o, the crowd will be firmly behind a history-making 12-year-old. Tahiti surfer Kelia Mehani Gallina will become the youngest ever competitor in the WSL. Gallina will compete in the opening heat against Picklum and American five-time Champions Tour event winner Lakey Peterson. The pre-teen won event trials in Tahiti last month, earning a wildcard spot into the final event of the season before the finals. In an interview with ABC Sport in the lead-up to the event, Gallina said the waves she expects to surf at Teahupo'o will be bigger than what the 12-year-old will normally go for. "It feels really good, it's exciting," Gallina told ABC Sport ahead of her Champions Tour debut. "It's going to be complicated, but I guess I'll just go out and try … I'm pretty sure I'm good. "A little stressed out because Mollie is definitely one of my heroes. She's also really good at the barrels, so it's going to be an interesting heat. "I know Mollie really well … I can't wait." Picklum spoke of her friendship with Gallina during her own interview with ABC Sport, speaking about training with her last year in preparation for the Olympic Games. Despite being 10 years older and a role model for Gallina, Picklum said the young Tahiti surfer was an inspiration to the Australian. "It'd be cool if she was looking up to me, but in the same way, she inspires me. Her technique, and everything, in the barrel is so good. "She's doing incredible things, and that's, like, the next generation coming through. "It pushes us to keep going further. It's all I want to, I don't want to be just sitting at the top and not being pushed." Picklum has already clinched her spot in the finals in Fiji, but has no intention of taking this week's event lightly. "I'm feeling pretty excited. I've had such a good year, and to just keep on going right to the end is important," she said. "It's not celebration time by any means, but it's definitely [time] to enjoy it and enjoy Tahiti."
News.com.au
14 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Sixth time lucky': Darts world champion Luke Littler can't drive yet
He's an 18-year-old sports star the world is obsessed with, but there's one thing darts sensation Luke Littler can't do. The PDC darts world champion has touched down in Sydney ahead of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong on Friday and Saturday, before heading to the New Zealand Darts Masters the following weekend. Watch the world's best darts tournaments LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Littler burst onto the scene in early 2024, capturing the world's attention as the bearded 16-year-old made a fairytale run to the world championship finals in London. He lost a thrilling final to World No. 1 Luke Humphries but has since proved he is anything but a one-hit wonder, rising to second in the world and winning his maiden world championship title in January. Littler, who hails from Warrington in England, recently won the World Matchplay, becoming just the fifth player ever to claim darts' 'Triple Crown' by winning the PDC's three most prestigious events - the World Championship, Premier League and World Matchplay. The only others to do that are Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen and Humphries. Speaking to Littler said 'it meant the world' to clinch the Triple Crown so earlier on in his career. 'Completing it within 18 months, it's just crazy,' the teenager said. 'Obviously joining the list of only four or five players now to have completed it is a really big achievement. I've reflected a little bit, not had much time, but I know for myself what I've done for my friends and family.' Life is very different now for Littler, who has 1.9 million followers on Instagram and as one of the UK's most popular sportspeople is a contender for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, along with members of the England women's football team. He is a stone cold killer with a dart in his hand, but there's one thing Littler is still desperate to achieve: passing the test to get his drivers licence. Littler has shared his struggles lightheartedly on social media, revealing he has failed the theory part of the driving test five times, stalling his wish to get his driver's licence and hit the road. The Sun reports Littler's dream car is a Mercedes A-Class, a step up from his previous favourite Ford Focus. 'It's not easy is it,' Littler told 'When I book one in (a test), once I'm back home, it'll be number six. So hopefully sixth time lucky. 'But it's one of the things. I want to get out there with my mates and obviously as an 18-year-old you just want to go out on drives with your mates. I hope that can pass very soon and be on the road.' A mad Manchester United fan, Littler said the biggest pinch-me moment from his time in the spotlight was taking his world championship trophy out on to Old Trafford and meeting United's players at training. 'Just a crazy experience going there, meeting all the players, and taking the trophy on at half time at Old Trafford,' Littler said. 'Hopefully I get down for the new season and see how the boys get on.' For Littler, who turned 18 in January, his competition schedule is so busy he said he hasn't had a chance to celebrate his stellar 2025 campaign with a beer or a pint of Guinness. 'I don't think I did as much (celebrate with a beer),' he said. 'It was more the fact of just getting home after the World Championships. That was a long two, three weeks in London. We had Christmas off but yeah, it was long. 'And then it was literally just straight home for a week. Then we were back on another flight so there wasn't much downtime. But I'm sure I'll celebrate once I get a good few weeks off.' Littler is making a serious habit of nailing 180s - he broke the tournament record with 64 180s in the World Matchplay - playing up to the crowd with a shrug after pulling off a perfect nine-darter. 'I love performing in front of any fans,' Littler said. 'Obviously the 180s and the big finishes, that's what gets the crowd up and they pay their good money and us dart players, we've just got to perform our best for them.' Darts is all about having the hot hand, and there's no sign of Littler slowing down anytime soon. 'You've always got to be hungry to pick up titles,' he said. 'Obviously you want to win the titles but it's not the case every time. There's so many darts events on in the year, there are so many places you've gotta travel and visit. Just stay hungry and pick up more titles as the year goes on.'
News.com.au
14 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Warner's awkward exchange with nemesis as Aussie doubles down
Former Australian opener David Warner has doubled down on his criticism of Joe Root, predicting the England superstar will be having 'nightmares' about facing Josh Hazlewood during this summer's Ashes. Currently representing the London Spirit in the Hundred, Warner was quizzed by local reporters about the upcoming Ashes campaign during a media day at Lord's, predicting that Australia would win the marquee series 3-1. Last week, the 38-year-old took a gentle dig at Root by suggesting the second-leading run-scorer in Test history was susceptible to LBW dismissals when facing Hazlewood. The former England captain, who has never scored a century in Australia, averages 51.29 in Tests, but that figure slips to 31.40 when facing Hazlewood. It prompted a response on social media from Warner's tormentor in chief Stuart Broad. The pair then came face to face on Tuesday iduring the BBC's pre-game coverage of the The Hundred where Warner is playing for the London Spirit. 'I have to ask - do you always call your pads surfboards or do you save that for Rooty?' Broad asked his old sparring partner. 'You've got to understand that I'm small, so I tend to say they are surfboards,' Warner replied. 'I liked your (X post) but I forgot to tweet back actually, I will do that after the game.' Pressed by reporters later on whether Australia's bowlers would target Root's pads this summer, Warner did not back away from his original comments. 'That's where we always targeted him.' The New South Welshman also compared the looming battle between Root and Hazlewood to his own struggles against former England bowler Stuart Broad, who dismissed him 17 times in the Test arena. 'The way that he brings down his bat playing on Australian wickets, it can bring him undone and I've seen it in the past,' Warner said of Root. 'I think he will have nightmares before he gets over there about Josh Hazlewood. A bit like me and Broady. 'Joe is a hell of a cricket player, look at the runs he has scored, the second leading run-scorer in the world. But I'm sure he'd like to score a hundred in Australia. It's one that has eluded him. I think that will be on his mind, so we will have to wait and see.' Since the start of 2013, no cricketer has been dismissed LBW in the Test arena more often than Root with 51, accounting for 19.39 per cent of his wickets, which is noticeably higher than teammates Ben Stokes (12.69), Ollie Pope (15.84) and Zak Crawley (14.29). Hazlewood has dismissed Root ten times in Tests — three of which were LBW — while only Australian captain Pat Cummins and Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah have achieved the feat more often, with 11 each. Warner also warned that Harry Brook, named player of the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after smacking a 91-ball hundred at The Oval, will be tested by short-pitched bowling this summer. According to Warner, England's ultra-aggressive approach to batting, colloquially known as 'Bazball', may backfire on Australia's bouncier decks with a spread field. Brook was undone by bouncers on multiple occasions during the 2023 Ashes in the United Kingdom. 'If England want to take that approach in Australia, they are going to have to expect a deep third man, a deep backward point, two men out square and all that and then you can play your shots,' Warner explained. 'There are going to be a lot of chances and Australia will have to take them. In Australia, there is not one place where you can drive on the up and play shots willy nilly. Especially in the last two years, the wickets have been very conducive. 'If Australia start bowling the bumper barrage, like they have done in the past few years, there are going to be no real answers. 'Guys like Brooky can come out and play the way he wants, but he is going to have to start practising more on the short ball because I think that's what he is going to get.' Two years ago, Warner was a central figure during the infamous stumping of England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, confronting an MCC member in the Lord's Long Room as players retreated to the changing rooms. 'For me, it was laughable,' Warner reflected. 'I just found it funny how people behaved. I've got no bad memories of it - just some people who wanted to react the way they did.' Warner's Spirit will next face Steve Smith's Welsh Fire at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens on Saturday.
