Jac Morgan is at the centre of controversy(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt has hit out at the decision not to penalise Wales captain Jac Morgan in the build-up to the British and Irish Lions’ series-clinching try in Melbourne.
A clearout on Carlo Tizzano by Morgan in the build-up to Hugo Keenan’s winning score was referred to the TMO in the dying seconds at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, no penalty was ultimately given – ensuring the Lions won the second Test to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
That left Australia coach Schmidt less than impressed, with the former Ireland boss complaining in the post-match press conference.
“I think everyone can make their own decision on that,” he said when asked about the clearout. “You just have to read law 9.20 and you just have to listen to the description from the referee and then watch the vision when two players are described as arriving at the same time.
“Just watch the footage.”
When asked how referee Andrea Piardi got it wrong, Schmidt added: “Because they are human. Players make errors.
“Match officials make errors. Our perspective is we felt it was a decision that doesn’t really live up to the big player safety push that they are talking about.
“You cannot hit someone above the levels of the shoulders and there’s no bind with the left arm, his hand is on the ground. That’s what we have seen.
“We have watched a number of replays from different angles so it is what it is. We just have to accept it.”
Schmidt added that he believed the fact it was in the last minute with the series on the line was also a factor in a penalty not being awarded.
When asked if he felt he was being disrespectful to officials with his comments, he replied: “I spoke about one incident and in a world of player welfare I think that decision (is wrong).
“You only have to look at law 9.20. It’s what they are there to enforce.
“A player who dives off his feet and is clearly beaten to the position over the ball, makes neck contact. It was a tough one to take.”
On the flipside, Lions coach Andy Farrell had no issue whatsoever with Morgan’s clearout – bemused at the fact it was even sent to the TMO.
“I thought it was a brilliant clearout,” said Farrell. “It depends which side of the fence you come from. I can understand people’s opinions.
“I thought Jac was brilliant when he came on and so were the rest of the bench. I thought it was a good clear out live.
“I couldn’t understand what they were going back for. They seem to go back for absolutely everything these days, don’t they?
“I’m so pleased that the referee held his nerve. The right decision in my opinion. Honestly, sheer joy.
“What a box to be in. The coaches were through the roof, as you could imagine. Something that I’ll stick in my mind for the rest of my life.”
Lions skipper Maro Itoje added: “It was fine. Naturally, their captain was trying to get his point across and, in my view, argue for something that didn’t happen.
“I guess I was just arguing for something that did happen. Fortunately Jac was accurate with what he was doing and everything was fine.”
