The Breakdown: Lions bench impact hits Wallabies where it hurts with last-gasp heroics
As Tom Wright ran clear to finish a stunning Australian try on the half-hour mark, the full-back's team-mate Tate McDermott visibly urged him to dot the ball down closer to the posts.
Wright didn't take any chances with the finish, but there is no doubt that he could have made the angle for the conversion easier. As it was, Tom Lynagh pulled the kick just wide of the posts, and while the Wallabies still led 23-5, you immediately felt that those two missed points could prove costly, and so it proved given the final three-point margin.
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Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
Owen Doyle: Jac Morgan's clear out of Carlo Tizzano was not obvious foul play
'In victory, I deserve it; in defeat I need it.' Winston Churchill was famously talking about champagne. Even a setback would not discourage him from enjoying one of his favourite tipples. But somehow I doubt if Joe Schmidt was popping corks after the narrow, controversial 80th-minute defeat to the Lions at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground. There aren't enough superlatives to describe a truly epic rugby match . It's a shame it ended with a question mark about Jac Morgan's collision with Carlo Tizzano – who made an unnecessary meal of it – just moments before Hugo Keenan crossed for the winning try. I know well how detailed Schmidt is in his analysis of referees, often seeming to know more about them than they know about themselves. So he will have been aware that Andrea Piardi makes a good effort to referee the breakdown, unlike quite a few of his peers. Nevertheless, Schmidt is livid that the referee allowed Keenan's try to stand. Pundits in the north agree with the decision, down south unsurprisingly it's the polar opposite. I'd remind the latter, and some coaches too, of their shock and horror when red cards were correctly issued for foul play which the same pundits considered to be just part of the game. You can't have it both ways. READ MORE Another look at the cleanout. Again, perfectly good. — Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) Under immense pressure from the Wallabies to do so, Piardi checked it on screen and his conclusion was that there was no foul play. To say that this is hotly disputed would be the understatement of the year. Andy Farrell sees a brilliant clear out, Schmidt sees dangerous play – opposing opinions which are hardly surprising. Whichever way he called it, the referee would have had the guns of half the world trained on him. The core of the matter, for me, is that Morgan did not target Tizzano's neck. They did arrive at more or less the same time, both travelling at speed. The collision was inevitable, but not clear and obvious foul play. Arguments that Morgan was off his feet don't hold water either, it has unwisely become par for the course to allow players to arrive like human torpedoes to remove opponents. It all points to a far bigger problem than this one single decision. The problem is the distinct disparity in the way the breakdown is refereed. Some officials do attempt to sort out side-entry and sealing off, while others are happy to let most everything go. That disparity is where the issue lies. At the start of the tour this column pleaded that matches would be refereed consistently and correctly in this area. It's a pity that hasn't happened. Harry Wilson of the Wallabies speaks to referee Andrea Piardi. Photograph: Morgan Hancock/Getty The relevant laws need to be reinforced, not overridden by a series of protocols which are given precedence. It's not too late to pull it back to what was intended, even though at this stage it would require a decree from World Rugby to achieve it. It would also need the agreement of all competition owners which would not be automatic. The loose, laissez-faire officiating approach finds favour in some quarters. Schmidt will also analyse some defensive sealing off of the ball by the Lions, a couple appeared to be missed by Piardi. Side-entry was also penalised, with several calls on the money. However, half-time approached with advantage being played to Australia for a knock-on, just as they were in the process of winning a ruck. Despite Jamison Gibson-Park and Tom Curry coming around the side, interfering with Australian possession, the ref blew for the knock-on and everybody headed to the dressingrooms. The side-entry, which was the greater offence, should have been sanctioned with a penalty. Then we would have seen a kick at goal, or an attacking Wallaby lineout. Both options were taken away by calling half-time. There has been lots of chat about Dan Sheehan's try, that he had illegally jumped over the defensive tackle attempt. Actually, it was perfectly okay, with Sheehan quite entitled to dive for the line, even if it did take him over defending players. Dan Sheehan of the British & Irish Lions goes over to score his team's first try. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Overall, Piardi did well enough, but he was lenient in dealing with a nasty, cynical shoulder-hit into the back of Tadhg Furlong from Will Skelton which ignited a fracas. The game can do without this sort of stuff and 10 minutes in the bin might have given Skelton pause for thought. Some rugby fans might have heard recently about Run It Straight (Runit). It's a new fad (I would not call it a sport), but the first thing to say is that this newbie has nothing to do with rugby union – in fact Runit should be banned. This is what it's about. Only two players are involved in each contest, on a small pitch about 20 metres by 4. Alternatively, one is the ball carrier, the other the so-called tackler. They then charge at each other, the objective being to hit so hard that one player cannot continue. Unsurprisingly, a player is often knocked senseless, and one young man has died. If both are still standing after a series of charges, then 'victory belongs to the one who dominates the collisions.' It is sickening – insanity gone berserk. With what we know about brain injury, dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy it's staggering that anybody plays it. But, as we know, money talks, with $200,000 for a recent championship winner. Leading up to this second Test, both camps spoke of the massive importance of winning the collision battles, which, ultimately, would win the war. It's the same language as Runit, with the crucial difference that rugby requires a proper tackle – not that it always gets it. Apart from that difference, rugby often sees a ball carrier deliberately seeking out a heavy collision. It has inevitably seeped down into the amateur game, including schools. It's not too hard to guess where Runit might have come up with their idea.
Irish Independent
7 hours ago
- Irish Independent
The Breakdown: Lions bench impact hits Wallabies where it hurts with last-gasp heroics
Analysing the key moments in the Lions' dramatic late victory over Australia in Melbourne As Tom Wright ran clear to finish a stunning Australian try on the half-hour mark, the full-back's team-mate Tate McDermott visibly urged him to dot the ball down closer to the posts. Wright didn't take any chances with the finish, but there is no doubt that he could have made the angle for the conversion easier. As it was, Tom Lynagh pulled the kick just wide of the posts, and while the Wallabies still led 23-5, you immediately felt that those two missed points could prove costly, and so it proved given the final three-point margin.
RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Wallabies want 'accountability' over controversial Lions try
Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh has backed Joe Schmidt's criticism of the match officials after Saturday's Lions Test in Melbourne. The British and Irish Lions clinched their series versus the Wallabies with a game to spare after Hugo Keenan's late try sealed a 29-26 win after an epic Test at the MCG. That winning try was clouded by controversy though, with the score eventually being awarded after a TMO check for possible foul play by Lions flanker Jac Morgan, who had cleared out Australia's Carlo Tizzano in the build-up. Australia head coach Schmidt made his feelings clear after the game, saying the decision to award the try didn't stack up with World Rugby's drive for better player safety. And the former Ireland boss has been given his backing by Rugby Australia chief executive Waugh, who says they will be seeking an explanation from the game's governing body. "Joe's comments at the press conference were 100% aligned with mine as a CEO and a former Wallaby," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald. "Our position on that particular decision is consistent to what Joe outlined in his analysis of that last breakdown. "Clearly there'll be the usual process, which is what happens after every test match, and we'll certainly be looking for a level of accountability from World Rugby over the next period of time." The incident has dominated the Australian sports media since Saturday night, with the Sunday Telegraph's back page headline simply reading "ROBBED", before saying referee Andrea Piardi "ruined our shot at victory" with his decision to award the try. Naturally, most northern hemisphere pundits have backed Piardi's decision, and Morgan's technique at the breakdown, with the bulk of the criticism levelled at the door of Tizzano for milking the collision. Former England and Lions flanker James Haskell was the most vocal as he called for the Australia flanker to be carded for allegedly taking a dive. Wallabies pair Nick Frost and Max Jorgensen spoke to the media on Monday, and used the opportunity to give their support to their team-mate. "A lot of the forwards put ourselves in harm's way a lot of the time. It's tough on the body," Frost said. "It's hard when you've got guys [pundits] who aren't on the field – I know they're ex-players – but when the people are on the field day in and day out and putting their body [on the line]. "Especially a guy like Carlo, who always gets over the ball. It's tough. "It's a tough one for him. We don't really listen to outside noise, whatever the media says around that stuff. It's the first time I've heard of it. "It's disappointing in general that this series is done for us. "Carlo is there as a competitor like he always is, he's trying to get on ball. "The 7 puts his hands there, he's there first and gets hit pretty hard with a full-force cleanout. "It is what it is. We can't do anything about a decision. Joe's spoke about all of that stuff, but for us, we're trying to compete for the ball there." Jorgensen, who scored a try in the opening Test in Brisbane, said the defeat felt like a sucker-punch after the Wallabies had been leading the game since the fifth minute. "It really hurts, it's a tough pill to swallow," the 20-year-old said. "I was absolutely gutted personally, I know everyone in the team was. "To have to wait another 12 years to have the chance of getting a series win is obviously devastating."
