Latest news with #JacMorgan
Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Joe Schmidt confirms Australia's Carlo Tizzano received online abuse after second Lions Test
Joe Schmidt has confirmed that Carlo Tizzano, the Australia flanker cleared out by Jac Morgan in the much-disputed final ruck of the game last Saturday when the Lions completed their biggest never comeback in a Test to win 29-23 at the MCG, has been the victim of online abuse. 'He's had a really tough week, Carlo,' Schmidt said of the flanker, whom many felt had exaggerated the impact of Morgan' clearout. 'He's copped a lot of online abuse, and the only thing I'd say in defence of Carlo is that just over 54Gs of direct force went through his neck, along with almost 2,200 revs of rotational force, which is enough to cause serious injury. Not to a rugby player who's as well conditioned as Carlo, but he's probably best just left to take a deep breath. 'I think we're all aware of Newton's third law, that for every action there's and equal and opposite reaction,' added Schmidt, as only he can. 'When that force hits him and the speed of his head collapsing down, he recoiled out the back of the ruck. I don't think he wanted to recoil like that, but that's the nature of the force, there's an equal and opposite reaction. 'For Carlo, it's better that he sits this one out,' said Schmidt, although he concurred that Tizzano did not suffer concussion despite being replaced in the Australian matchday squad on the bench by Zane Nonggorr. READ MORE 'We weren't sure about him on Tuesday. He was still pretty sore. He was great today, he was right back to the irrepressible character that he is. 'I've advised Carlo to stay away from the media full stop and the opinions that are out there. We've tried to deal with the facts, and what forces occurred and to let him know that we know what caused the equal and opposite reaction, and we have faith in him, and that will continue.' In the fallout from last Saturday's second Test a seething Schmidt implied the decision not to penalise Morgan 'doesn't really live up to the big player safety push that they [World Rugby] are talking about' and while he didn't row back from that remark, he struck a more conciliatory tone toward the match officials. 'I actually feel like Andre Piardi had a good game. There's a couple of decisions we not agree with, but I thought he refereed well. We're not looking at refereeing decisions.' Taniela Tupou will start at tighthead for Australia in the third Test against the Lions in Sydney. Photograph:Taniela Tupou will play his first Test of the year in next Saturday's third Test in Sydney's Stadium Australia after Schmidt called up the Racing-bound, 29-year-old tighthead in place of the injured Alan Alaalatoa. The 59-Test prop is one of four changes to the Wallabies' starting side, with Exeter-bound loose-forward Tom Hooper also replacing the injured Rob Valetini. Nic White is named ahead of Jake Gordon, who misses out on the matchday squad altogether despite a strong, try-scoring 80-minute performance, in what will be the 35-year-old's final Test. The other change sees Dylan Pietsch, who shone for the Western Force against the Lions in their tour opener five weeks ago, replace the hamstrung Harry Potter. Schmidt has also reverted to a traditional 5-3 after last weekend's 6-2 split backfired somewhat after the 20th minute loss of Potter meant replacement scrumhalf Tate McDermott played an hour on the wing. Outside back Andrew Kellaway returns to the matchday squad. Fully four days on from losing the second Test and the series, Schmidt still looked more than a little saddened by the loss, and scarcely disguised how difficult he and his squad found the fallout. 'It's an incredibly deflated group. Tuesday was tough actually to get them up off the canvas and today there was a little bit of an upswing. We've just got to keep that momentum. Hopefully they can be sharp at the captain's run tomorrow and then springboard their way into the Test match.' 'It is a challenge because all that emotional and psychological energy that was expended, the way things finished, the sense of frustration. It's almost like a grieving process by the time they've gone through those first few days. Giving them time to breathe a bit and then try to elevate the spirits and the tempo.' AUSTRALIA: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt). Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australia proved a point in Melbourne — but second Test cannot be a false dawn
'ROBBED,' the back page of Sydney's Sunday Telegraph declared the morning after the night before, an opinion with which Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt appeared to agree. 'It was a tough one to take,' the Australia rugby head coach had said after a long explanation of why he felt Jac Morgan's clean out on Carlo Tizzano should have been penalised that included a reference to the lawbook and an accusation that the referees had not put player welfare first. Around the grabby headline, the Sydney paper planted what it felt was incriminating evidence – the law that Schmidt had quoted; Morgan making contact high on the back or neck of Tizzano; the flanker writhing in pain. This one clearly stings. Another official in another circumstance might have seen a Morgan misdeed; Andrea Piardi felt differently and allowed Hugo Keenan's series-winning score to stand. Plenty of those of an Australian persuasion will continue to feel aggrieved but, in time, perhaps they will reflect how encouraging it was that they could be in a situation where a contentious call settled the second Test. There had been few signs of such competitiveness seven days prior, a meek surrender in the first half in Brisbane slightly salvaged by an improved showing after the interval – but all in attendance were under no illusions about which side had been in total command throughout. Indeed, in the run-up to the second encounter at the MCG, it had been fair to wonder just how fully focussed the Wallabies were on this once in a rugby generation series. It had not helped, perhaps, that Schmidt had appeared to bracket these Tests with the Rugby Championship meetings to come against South Africa, or that he had spoken repeatedly of what a great 'learning experience' this would be for a young team. The Australian squad – which is a little short on the sort of fiery characters to charge up this series publicly – hadn't been particularly combative or confident in their public dealings, and while Schmidt had to be talked in using the term 'submissive' in his reflections on the first Test, the genial Kiwi delivered it nonetheless. Thanks heavens, then, for the first 40 at the 'G, where a bellicose Australia that we have not seen for some time showed up en masse. It cannot be overstated just how much difference Will Skelton and Rob Valetini make to the side, each carry and colossal contact making the rest of the squad swell in size. Skelton was in the thick of things off the ball, too – taking it to Maro Itoje, Tadhg Furlong and other senior figures within the Lions squad, niggling and needling and generally being a nuisance. There is a certain game savvy required at Test level that necessitates pushing the boundaries of the law. The tourists – with vastly more experience – had excelled at that in the opening encounter; Ireland under Andy Farrell are masters of just about staying licit in their ruck actions. It was a welcome change to see Australia engaging in some gamesmanship. But it was only 40 minutes, really, for which Australia felt the lead belligerent in the Melbourne melee. Already in the build-up to Jake Gordon's sniping score one could see what the effort was taking out of their forwards – several times the scrum half had to virtually drag heavy furniture into position to be thrown again into the Lions' defensive line. It felt like it could not last – and did not: Valetini, Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa did not re-emerge after the interval; Will Skelton made it only seven minutes more. With them went more than 300 caps – and it showed. 'I felt that we really had the game to challenge them,' Schmidt said. 'We demonstrated that when we built the lead, but [the Lions] are a really good side. The experience they have just allowed them to stay calm and execute their game.' There are good players on the Australian bench – Angus Bell will soon permanently supplant Slipper and both Langi Gleeson and Tizzano are enjoying standout seasons – but the difference in depth gave the Lions a huge advantage in those final minutes. Now, of course, a side drawn from the best of four unions will always have undue superiority in that sense yet the Wallabies' lack of game-changers is an ongoing concern. The exile of Taniela Tupou, bound for Racing 92, feels odd; so, too, the lack of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, so good for the First Nations & Pasifika XV last midweek. Australia will reflect on some poor fortune before and during this series. The loss of Noah Lolesio was a huge blow, while having neither Valetini nor Skelton able to muster more than 50 minutes across the first two Test has been hugely significant. Harry Potter's hamstring injury on Saturday night forced scrum half Tate McDermott on to the wing – the makeshift marauder was highly impressive but Australia missed his ability to change the pace coming on at nine. The recent losses to rugby league of Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase are still felt. The concern for Schmidt will be that his short tenure may now fizzle out. The New Zealander is only in post through to next summer having agreed a one-year extension to ease the transition to Les Kiss – a smart and worldly character with a breadth of past employers that will serve him well. In Melbourne, one could see the pieces falling into place of the puzzle Kiss must construct before a home World Cup in 2027. While Skelton and Slipper's advancing age will be a worry, it will remain a relatively young squad at his disposal. The tournament will be a vital moment in rugby union's fight for prominence within the nation. The rest of this year may be tricky having missed a chance at a signature win. After the third Test comes two trips to South Africa; a dangerous Argentina follow thereafter for two meetings on Australian soil. A one-win Rugby Championship, like last year, would leave a pessimistic outlook. It makes the last Lions clash surprisingly important for the hosts, one feels. Andy Farrell's side will not ease up consciously as they seek a 3-0 whitewash but Australia will recognise an opportunity to produce another statement performance – the fight shown in Melbourne cannot be a false dawn.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lions name strong team for final Wallabies clash as Jac Morgan included again
Andy Farrell has made minimal changes to his British and Irish Lions side for the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney as he looks to make history by sweeping the series, with Jac Morgan once again named on the bench. Having wrapped up the series in Melbourne last weekend with a dramatic 29-26 victory, there might have been the temptation to hand out Test caps to some other members of his squad. However, Farrell has made just two changes to the starting side from last Saturday. Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn is brought in to start for the first time in this series, having been brought off the bench last weekend at the MCG. He starts on the wing ahead of Ireland's James Lowe. READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus wades into Jac Morgan debate and gives surprise response READ MORE: Ex-Wallaby coach pays Jac Morgan huge compliment and names Lion who has been the difference The other change sees Ireland lock James Ryan start alongside Lions captain Maro Itoje - who will start his eight consecutive Test match for the Lions - with Ollie Chessum dropping down to the bench. Otherwise, Farrell has kept faith in the players that have already won the Lions' first Test series since 2013. Ireland tighthead Tadhg Furlong will move alongside Wales legend Alun Wyn Jones in terms of starting nine consecutive Lions Test matches. The Leinster prop starts in an all-Ireland front-row alongside Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan. It's an unchanged back-row, with Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan continuing their run as Farrell's choices throughout the Test series. In the backline, the half-back pairing of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell go again, as do Bundee Aki and Huw Jones in midfield after Garry Ringrose was ruled out. In the back-three, last Saturday's hero Hugo Keenan starts again at full-back, with Tommy Freeman on the right wing opposite to Kinghorn. On the bench, Wales captain Morgan gets another chance to win a Test cap - having come off the bench last week to help inspire the tourists' comeback. He's joined by England back-row Ben Earl, as Farrell switches to a 6-2 split on the bench. 'We have put ourselves in a great position to finish this Tour with our best performance to date and create our own piece of history," said Farrell. 'Last weekend's Test match in Melbourne was an incredible spectacle and illustrated how special Lions Tours are and what they mean to both the players and the supporters. 'We are expecting another epic battle this weekend against a Wallaby side that showed their quality last week.' The Lions are looking to make history this weekend. The tourists haven't gone unbeaten in a Test series since 1974 in South Africa, while you'd have to go back to 1927 in Argentina when they won all their Tests on a tour where they played more than just one. The Wallabies will be without back-row Rob Valetini after he was forced off after 40 minutes in Melbourne. The powerful carrier, who shone in the first-half at the MCG, had missed the first Test in Brisbane - with the Wallabies flying into a convincing lead following the return of Valetini and second-row Will Skelton. Valetini is replaced in the back-row by Tom Hooper. Prop Taniela Tupou is recalled in the front-row, following Allan Alaalatoa's injury last week. In the backline, Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the wing. Scrum-half Nic White being is brought back in to start ahead of his Test retirement. On the bench, there's no place for Carlo Tizzano on the replacement's bench. The back-row, who was cleared out by Jac Morgan at the end of last Saturday's match to prompt days of headlines, misses out as Joe Schmidt reverts to a 5-3 split on the bench - with the Wallabies coach confirming on Thursday it wasn't down to a concussion. Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (c), James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan. Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell. Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c). Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Lack of Welsh Lions must not repeated
Third Test: Australia v British and Irish LionsDate: Saturday 2 August Venue: Accor Stadium Kick-off: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC Radio Cymru, text commentary and post-match analysis on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC iPlayer and online Former Wales centre Tom Shanklin says Welsh rugby cannot find itself in the same situation after only having two players on the British and Irish Lions tour of flanker Jac Morgan and Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams were originally selected in Andy Farrell's 38-man contingent was reduced to one when Williams was forced home early with a hamstring injury, with Morgan featuring as a replacement in the second Test victory in Melbourne that sealed the have been more Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board members in Australia than current players in recent weeks, while thousands of fans have still made the says new director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin has a key role in ensuring history does not repeat itself with the lack of players selected. "The biggest thing is the progression and pathway, making sure we don't fall back into this situation where we have only got two, and now one, player on a Lions tour," Shanklin told the Scrum V podcast."Dave Reddin is the man, that's the most important job now, his role of developing players so that we are not in this situation again."It's about the academies, schools rugby, a pathway for players who are 15 or 16 years old, so that in five or six years we have way more quality coming through." 'Tandy can bring some steel back' Former Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy was appointed as the new permanent Wales head coach last week following the departure of Warren Gatland in Sherratt had taken over in a caretaker capacity with a record 18-match losing run finally ending with a victory against Japan in Kobe earlier this month."He's going to bring that steeliness back," said former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert."I just don't know what Wales are, we used to be known as such a hard team to beat."Look at Wales now and we are easy to score against and we don't score enough points."Tandy has not been a head coach at international level before with Cuthbert admitting the new Wales backroom staff will need to support the new man."Technically and tactically, Steve has been a defence coach," said Cuthbert"It's very different being head coach so he will have to get his staff right."Shanklin says he is pleased with Tandy's appointment."The Union is obviously struggling for money," said Shanklin."There could have been the option to buy someone for £600,000 but that's not going to change Welsh rugby."We progressed a little bit, maybe, with Matt Sherratt but I don't think any coach would have an instant impact."We need a blueprint, that's key, and a style of play that suits. That will have to change from what it has been to something new and it's the team he gets around him."Shanklin warned expectations need to be measured."He's not going to change the team into Six Nations winners," said Shanklin."We will still go through quite a few losses, because we just don't have the quality of player other teams have." How many teams should Wales have? Tandy returns to Wales at a time of more off-the-field turmoil with the WRU considering cutting at least one of the nation's professional governing body has entered a formal consultation period for the professional game that could see the the top tier of the domestic game reduced from four to three or WRU-owned Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets are preparing for the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the end of September and a final decision is expected from the WRU the following 2027-28 season has been identified as the time for domestic change but that could even occur next year."Initially I wanted to see four teams still, because that's great pathway for players coming through and access to playing professional rugby," said Shanklin."Limit that to two teams and there's less opportunity for players. "Look at Scotland. Does two teams work there, club or nationally?" Anglo-Welsh league hopes Shanklin believes if the cut is made, then the semi-professional Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) will need to provide a suitable feeder system."If it is two teams then there needs to be a high standard of competition below it," said Shanklin."There can't be a massive drop below if you only have two teams and a league below where you can't bridge the gap."Players who are not selected for the two teams need to be playing in a competitive league so when there are injuries and youngsters coming through, they are not way off professional club rugby."Whatever happens with the numbers of sides, Cuthbert says he would love to see Wales move join an Anglo-Welsh league with 10 clubs currently competing in England's top division."Commercially it would be unbelievable," said the former Exeter wing."If we join that league I think it would be another level. You would have away fans turning up."The Premiership is losing money. I know they say they don't need any other teams but maybe they do."
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
The Lions have a dated and disregarded law book to thank for second Test victory
By the letter of the law the British and Irish Lions should not have won Saturday second Test, but the problem is those laws have been consistently ignored in the modern game. The dramatic, match-winning try from Hugo Keenan was preceded by a controversial ruck moment by Welshman, Jac Morgan, which was checked by Andrea Piardi and his refereeing team. Piardi got the call right, but there's a lot wrong with why I think it's the right call. The breakdown area is a particular issue in the game at the moment, and a part of the game that I've had a problem with for some time. It's impossible to know what's right and wrong, even when you study the laws and pick out examples. In fact, reading the laws after watching the Jac Morgan incident would actually confuse avid rugby supporters, never mind the casual watcher or newcomers to the game. Law 9.20 states a number of illegal acts that Jac Morgan may have fallen foul of: "A player must not charge into a ruck or maul." I don't believe that what Jac Morgan did in his act of clearing Carlo Tizzano out of the ruck is now considered to be charging. He had outstretched arms in an attempt to wrap them somewhere around the defensive player. In the current game, I think that can be considered a decent enough effort and shouldn't be sanctioned. However, is that action a genuine attempt at wrapping, by the letter of the law? I don't believe so. Rucking has become far removed from what it was originally intended, without anything or anyone stating that the action was allowed to change in this way. The more pressing issue here is the fact that according to law 9.20.c, "a player must not intentionally collapse a ruck or a maul". Maybe more accurately, law 15.12 states that "players must endeavour to remain on their feet throughout the ruck". These laws might as well not be written down. Jac Morgan didn't attempt to stay on his feet. He's not the only one, it's a common tactic to take other players away from the ruck. In a professional playing capacity, we were always told that it was fine if you took another body away from the ruck with you, and if you have energy for another action, at least try to get back on your feet. We see it repeatedly during games. Yet, the law should be clear. Law 9.20.b says that "a player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders". That's exactly what Morgan did, except in this case, Tizzano's neck was actually below the line of his shoulders, considering he was hinged and practically upside-down in his positioning (below). And this is the big issue with the laws on the defensive side of the play. Tizzano is in a modern 'jackal' position, questionably supporting his bodyweight, with his head below the level of his hips. Therefore, as the attacking player arrives at the ruck, staying low to go below the shoulder level of his opponent meant that Jac Morgan was initiating contact in a more dangerous way. The argument is what is he supposed to do in this instance? He can't make low and meaningful contact without the act being dangerous, we know he can't roll or twist the defender, and he definitely doesn't want to give the ball away. Surely the issue here is with the jackal position being permitted, despite the laws speaking to the contrary. These laws are obsolete and aren't adhered to, so why are they written at all? No wonder there's constant debate after the event, especially after a win in this manner. Research by Scott Mitchell and Gregory Tierney following the 2019 World Cup showed that 37% of all breakdowns had an infringement in them. Of that 37%, 79% of these infringements were not called as penalties or free kicks. The highest frequency infringement that wasn't called was players entering with their heads below their hips. The second highest frequency of uncalled infringements was for players going off their feet. The attacking team was also responsible for 70% of true infringements, but were penalised less than the defending team. If you want to know how exactly we got here, to this level of uncertainty around decisions, then look no further. The referees are doomed to failure. The law book exists, yet the game is refereed through common law, judgements and with an attempt to create a flow. This isn't the fault of the referees, it's the fault of many stakeholders and what we accept within the game. Attempting to find a final piece of evidence showing that the Jac Morgan clearout happens all the time, I went back through some of the Wallabies dominant phases to find a similar instance. I thought it would be very common and easy to find. Yet it's difficult to find an instance in the Wallabies attack. Joe Schmidt coaches a clean breakdown. He demands that his players arrive early and stop the competition without so much as a collision, where possible. They arrive before the tackler can reload to their feet and stand over them to ensure they cannot get up. The contest is normally over before it begins, and therefore rarely relies on sheer physicality. As a result, Schmidt (above) is right to feel aggrieved. He doesn't coach the same tactics in the breakdown, his attacking coaching is done within the laws, and the Morgan clearout isn't legal, by the letter of the law. Despite everything said above, and it's quite contradictory to say, it's still wrong to give a penalty against Morgan for foul play. It's clearly not accepted as foul play in the current game. The result would have been a deciding third Test in Sydney, something everyone but the Lions players and staff would have wanted. The issue is within the laws. What we accept now is not what is written within the laws, so change them or enforce them. What is legal at the breakdown needs a review, with clarity and safety being the main aim. If that means the game will change, then so be it. The 79th minute of a Test match is not the time to decide how the lawbook should be written or accepted. Currently, there's more confusion than ever, and therein lies the problem. Games are won and lost within tactics, moments and the accumulation of actions, yet it could take one decision to tip the scales and that's what we saw last weekend. Continuing with a dated and disregarded law book will bring more controversy and difficulty for referees, which they don't need. We should be talking about Keenan, Finn Russell, the James Lowe offload for Tadhg Beirne's try, the Joseph Sua'ali'i and Bundee Aki line breaks, the Australian turnaround. We shouldn't be this distracted by the laws.
