TALKING POINT: Rugby Australia's reaction to ref call 'smacks of hypocrisy'

It may sound strange to quote an altered version of Shakespeare’s famous line from Hamlet when talking about the events of the 2nd test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia this past weekend in Melbourne.

But it isn’t untoward to say: "Hypocrisy thy name is Australia.”

Because while the rugby world has been talking non-stop about the call that referee Andrea Piardi made on the final play of the game, ruling Jac Morgan’s clean out on Carlo Tizzano to be legal (therefore allowing Hugo Keenan’s try that won the series for the Lions with a last minute score), the reaction has been remarkably different from four years ago.

The decision didn’t stop the meltdown from some Australian commentators afterwards, not the way Joe Schmidt reacted, slamming the decision at the post match press conference and Australian Rugby CEO Phil Waugh’s decision to back Schmidt and demand accountability from World Rugby as well.

In all it was an over-the-top reaction to a 50-50 decision that could easily have gone the other way and would have left the Lions fuming if it did.

But that’s not the point.

RASSIE’S COMPLAINTS GOT A DIFFERENT REACTION

Those of us with good memories remember the way that Rugby Australia reacted when in the last Lions tour Rassie Erasmus made a video of refereeing mistakes.

Whether you agree with Rassie’s actions at the time, or his assertion that the video was never meant to be made public, it didn’t stop Rugby Australia from crying foul, and demanding action from World Rugby to protect their referee Nic Berry.

For those who don’t remember, this was the crux of Rugby Australia’s statement at the time, slamming Erasmus’ decision to publicly criticise referees.

“Rugby Australia has noted with dismay and concern the recent public commentary by South African Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, regarding Australian referee Nic Berry and other match officials.

“There is no place for abuse of match officials in Australian Rugby, with Rugby Australia committed to promoting a fair, safe and inclusive Rugby experience for all participants, officials and fans.

“Rugby Australia believes the recent actions are unacceptable and against the spirit and values of the game.”

Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos said: “Match officials form the very fabric of our game – simply, the game would not exist without them. As a highly regarded and respected international referee appointed by World Rugby, the attack on Nic’s integrity, character and reputation is unacceptable.

PUBLIC ATTACKS ‘ARE NOT TOLERATED’

“We have been in contact with World Rugby, under whose auspices this test Series sits, and understand that they are actively reviewing this matter as some facts presented were not accurate. It is important to ensure public attacks of this nature are not tolerated. We will continue to provide support to Nic at this time, as both his physical and mental wellbeing remains a priority for us,” Marinos said.

This past weekend Schmidt slammed the referee and Waugh called for accountability at World Rugby when the decision went against them. And it isn’t the first time Australia have been hypocritical.

Dave Rennie publicly slammed referees and wasn’t sanctioned for his actions, and Rugby Australia was mum at the time as well.

But they, and World Rugby, sit in a very strange position this time. Schmidt, of course, is very close with World Rugby bosses - he was appointed previously as the organisation’s head of High Performance and Director of Rugby.

Phil Waugh is a member of World Rugby’s World Council - the governing body of the game and by publicly backing Schmidt’s criticisms, goes against the Council’s way of dealing with rugby matters.

NO ACTION AGAINST SCHMIDT FROM WORLD RUGBY

And no surprise that Alan Gilpin told journalists in Sydney that no action would be taken against Schmidt either. World Rugby has a World Cup in the country in two years time and desperately needs it to succeed.

While you may argue his comments weren’t as pointed as Rassie’s at the time, it is a very different reaction to what the Springboks got at the time. Gilpin’s comments to journalists were about “understanding the emotion” and how we have to move on.

"There's a lot of emotion, understandably,” he said."The Wallabies had a chance to win an amazing test match, so we understand the emotion involved in that.

"Joe's comments have continued to respect the fact that the match officials have got a tough job to do. He might disagree with the decisions made, but I don't think he's called the integrity of our match officials into question.

“We won't talk publicly about that decision [of World Rugby’s review].

"The decision's happened, the game's finished, we'll move on, we'll share, and we do share, with Joe and the coaching team, why the match officials made that decision.

"Joe's got a view about what was wrong with that decision-making, and there'll be a debate between them about that, so that Joe and his players can go into the next test, understanding how that game's going to be officiated.

“The breakdown is one of the toughest areas. We know that.

"We’ll continue to work really hard with the match officials group to get consistency in the way that those key areas are officiated, and that provides, hopefully, clarity to players and coaches. But like in any high-level sport, coaches are always looking for the edge with their teams, and we respect that.”

SMACKS OF HYPOCRISY

Both Waugh and Rugby Australia’s reaction to the shoe being on the other foot smacks of hypocrisy as does World Rugby’s reaction to the entire drama surrounding the last decision as well.

One wonders if it was here in South Africa if it would have been the same, and if a different coach was involved - not one of their closest allies - if they would have reacted the same.

Of course this could all be a coincidence - the reaction, the downplaying of everything and a sign that World Rugby is more mature than four years ago.

But in reality it does little to stop the belief that there is a special place for the country that needed a World Rugby bailout in Covid - and miraculously was awarded the World Cup to back up the Lions tour.

And some teams are more favoured than others.

Just as some reactions by that same country smack of hypocrisy when the decision goes against them.

Just some food for thought.