Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh has backed Joe Schmidt's criticism of the match officials after Saturday’s Lions Test in Melbourne.
The British and Irish Lions clinched their series versus the Wallabies with a game to spare after Hugo Keenan’s late try sealed a 29-26 win after an epic Test at the MCG.
That winning try was clouded by controversy though, with the score eventually being awarded after a TMO check for possible foul play by Lions flanker Jac Morgan, who had cleared out Australia’s Carlo Tizzano in the build-up.
Australia head coach Schmidt made his feelings clear after the game, saying the decision to award the try didn’t stack up with World Rugby’s drive for better player safety.
And the former Ireland boss has been given his backing by Rugby Australia chief executive Waugh, who says they will be seeking an explanation from the game’s governing body.
"Joe's comments at the press conference were 100% aligned with mine as a CEO and a former Wallaby," Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"Our position on that particular decision is consistent to what Joe outlined in his analysis of that last breakdown.
"Clearly there'll be the usual process, which is what happens after every test match, and we'll certainly be looking for a level of accountability from World Rugby over the next period of time."
The incident has dominated the Australian sports media since Saturday night, with the Sunday Telegraph’s back page headline simply reading "ROBBED", before saying referee Andrea Piardi "ruined our shot at victory" with his decision to award the try.
Naturally, most northern hemisphere pundits have backed Piardi’s decision, and Morgan’s technique at the breakdown, with the bulk of the criticism levelled at the door of Tizzano for milking the collision.
Former England and Lions flanker James Haskell was the most vocal as he called for the Australia flanker to be carded for allegedly taking a dive.
Wallabies pair Nick Frost and Max Jorgensen spoke to the media on Monday, and used the opportunity to give their support to their team-mate.
"A lot of the forwards put ourselves in harm’s way a lot of the time. It’s tough on the body," Frost said.
"It’s hard when you’ve got guys [pundits] who aren't on the field – I know they’re ex-players – but when the people are on the field day in and day out and putting their body [on the line].
"Especially a guy like Carlo, who always gets over the ball. It’s tough.
"It’s a tough one for him. We don’t really listen to outside noise, whatever the media says around that stuff. It's the first time I’ve heard of it.
"It’s disappointing in general that this series is done for us.
"Carlo is there as a competitor like he always is, he’s trying to get on ball.
"The 7 puts his hands there, he’s there first and gets hit pretty hard with a full-force cleanout.
"It is what it is. We can’t do anything about a decision. Joe’s spoke about all of that stuff, but for us, we’re trying to compete for the ball there."
Jorgensen, who scored a try in the opening Test in Brisbane, said the defeat felt like a sucker-punch after the Wallabies had been leading the game since the fifth minute.
"It really hurts, it's a tough pill to swallow," the 20-year-old said.
"I was absolutely gutted personally, I know everyone in the team was.
"To have to wait another 12 years to have the chance of getting a series win is obviously devastating."
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