World Rugby has dismissed claims made by Australian head coach Joe Schmidt that the decision not to penalize Jac Morgan for a clearout during the British and Irish Lions’ match against the Wallabies contravened player safety principles. The incident occurred in the closing moments of the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 1, 2023, which the Lions won 29-26, clinching the series.
With just 51 seconds remaining, Hugo Keenan scored the decisive try after a thorough review by the television match official (TMO) confirmed that Morgan’s contact with Carlo Tizzano was legal, as determined by referee Andrea Piardi. Schmidt expressed his frustration following the match, stating that the decision contradicted the commitment to player safety that World Rugby has publicly emphasized.
“It’s disappointing when the reaction is one of ‘this means player welfare isn’t taken seriously’ because we have worked really hard on that narrative,” said Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby. He clarified that Schmidt would not face disciplinary action for his comments.
The incident has sparked debate within the rugby community. Schmidt, who saw his team edged out after leading for most of the match, insisted that the decision undermined the push for player safety. He noted, “Everyone can make their own mind up on that… it doesn’t really live up to the big player safety push that [World Rugby] are talking about.”
Reactions from Rugby Officials
Phil Waugh, chief executive of Rugby Australia, supported Schmidt’s assessment of the clearout as dangerous, suggesting that the try should have been disallowed.
World Rugby is currently conducting a review of the incident in collaboration with the Australian Rugby Union, the Lions, and match officials, which is expected to conclude before the final Test match set for July 8, 2023, in Sydney. Gilpin emphasized that player welfare remains a top priority, highlighting ongoing research, the introduction of instrumented mouthguards, and evolving game laws aimed at enhancing safety.
He also defended the match officials amidst public backlash, referencing past criticisms directed at referees, including the case of Rassie Erasmus during the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa. “We’ve got match officials who, when they’re criticised publicly, see their families targeted outside the school gates. That’s not good, that’s not fair, and that’s not right,” Gilpin stated.
In support of the officials, he remarked, “They’re a great unit. They’ve been together on this tour as a team.”
Analysis from Former Players
Analysis from former Lions captain and rugby pundit Sam Warburton reinforced the legitimacy of the call made by the referee. “When the moment was tough, they delivered. These small moments win the game for the Lions,” Warburton noted. He praised Morgan’s performance during the match, indicating that the clearout was executed correctly, thereby allowing Keenan the opportunity to score.
Three-time Lions head coach Warren Gatland also weighed in on the controversy, stating, “I spoke to Joe Schmidt and he felt it was a penalty, but I just saw it as a clearout. I think it was the right decision in the end.”
As the rugby world awaits the outcome of the review, the focus remains on ensuring that player safety continues to be prioritized while navigating the complexities of officiating high-stakes matches.
