British and Irish Lions: World Rugby boss rejects Joe Schmidt’s clearout complaints

Australia coach Joe Schmidt’s claim that the decision at the end of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions contravened the sport’s player welfare drive has been rejected by the boss of World Rugby.

The officials decided not to overturn Hugo Keenan’s match-winning try after reviewing a clearout in the build-up from flanker Jac Morgan as the Lions snatched a late victory a compelling contest at the MCG.

As the Lions attacked near the Australia line, Morgan cleaned out Wallaby flanker Carlo Tizzano, who lurched backwards, suggesting he had been struck on the head as he tried to steal possession.

The ball was then worked out to the left for Keenan to score, with referee Andrea Piardi sticking by his initial decision to award the try after consultation with the television match official (TMO).

After the game, which the Lions won to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead, Wallabies coach Schmidt said it was a call that “didn’t live up to” World Rugby’s focus on player welfare.

“I don’t agree with that,” World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast in Sydney.

“I understand emotions are running high and I understand Joe’s looking at specific laws and playing that into the sort of officiating and welfare debate.

“But Joe knows well, and so do all the international coaches, that we are investing heavily [in player welfare], whether it’s instrumented mouthguards across the professional game, whether it’s all the investment we make in the science and research.

“We’re trying to find that really tricky but massively important balance between a sport that is a brilliant physical contest and as safe as it can be in for the players. It’s a very tough balance.

“One of the great wonders of rugby is the complexity of our laws and the interpretation of that. We know that creates controversy and sometimes frustration but it also gets everyone talking about rugby, and talking positively about rugby and what an amazing game it was.”