World Rugby has rejected Joe Schmidt's claim that the decision not to penalise Jack Morgan for clearing the ball during Australia's defeat to the British and Irish Lions on Saturday was against fundamental player safety.
Hugo Keenan touched down with 51 seconds remaining at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but the winning goal was only awarded after the TMO reviewed Morgan's contact with Carlo Tizzano in the previous ruck, which was eventually ruled legal by referee Andrea Piardi.
Schmidt, who watched his Wallabies go down 29-26 to lose the series by one Test game, insisted it was the wrong decision, adding: “It doesn't really reflect the big effort they [World Rugby] are making on player safety.”
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh backed Schmidt's view that it was a dangerous clearance and the try should have been disallowed.
World Rugby is investigating the incident in collaboration with Australia, the Lions and match officials, with the investigation expected to be completed in time for the final Test between the rivals in Sydney on Saturday.
Chief executive Alan Gilpin, speaking at an event where details of the 2027 World Cup ticket sales were revealed, sharply criticised Schmidt.
“It's disappointing when the reaction is 'this implies that player welfare isn't taken seriously' because we've worked really hard on this,” Gilpin said, adding that Schmidt would not face disciplinary action for his comments.
“Everyone understands that we put the welfare of the players in the broadest sense first.
“You can see that in what we do with the instrumental aligners and all the research, science and experiments.
“The rules of the game have changed over the last few years, with the idea of how do we conduct this exciting physical competition in a way that is as safe as possible? This is a very challenging aspect in terms of ensuring the welfare of the players.”
Gilpin says Piardy and his assistants Ben O'Keefe and Nika Amashukeli are getting support amid a backlash against judges in some circles.
And World Rugby chief cited public criticism of Rassie Erasmus
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
