World Rugby's take on controversial B&I Lions series call
NEWS: World Rugby Chief Executive Officer Alan Gilpin made a call regarding a controversial clearout on flanker Carlo Tizzano moments before the British and Irish Lions sealed the series.
Gilpin confirmed that the governing body will throw their support behind its match officials.
This comes after Wallaby boss Phil Waugh demanded an explanation for referee Andrea Piardi’s decision not to punish flanker Jac Morgan’s cleanout on Tizzano moments before Hugo Keenan scored the winning try that sealed the series for the tourists.
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The moment that clinched the Series…#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/JYhUpCEBDN
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 26, 2025
Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt also criticised the call and was adamant post-match that Piardi got his call wrong.
“Our perspective is, we felt it was a decision that doesn’t live up to the big player safety push that they’re talking about,” Schmidt said.
Gilpin spoke at the launch of the World Cup Ticketing Programme for the 2027 global showpiece, where he confirmed that World Rugby will rally behind its match officials.
“Emotions understandably run very high with a compelling and fiercely contested match, such as the one we saw going right down to the wire,” said Gilpin.
“In those tight contests, decisions made in crucial moments inevitably draw a lot of scrutiny, and while World Rugby has stated that we do not publicly comment on match officials’ decisions or performance, given the nature of the commentary surrounding last weekend, I just wanted to express our support for the team of match officials involved.
“There is no other position on the field that is under the scrutiny that our match officials are under, yet they do an incredible job under incredible pressure in a very hard environment.
“I think it’s fair to say that when referee groups are reviewing decisions — and they do review decisions, they review them with the coaches, they review them across the game.
“We are always proud to support our match officials as part of that process, and that’s what we are doing now and in the coming days with our colleagues in Australia.
“So, suffice to say we won’t be taking any further questions.”
Gilpin also told reporters it was disappointing, but Schmidt would not face disciplinary action.
“It’s disappointing when the reaction is one of ‘this means player welfare isn’t taken seriously’ because we have worked hard on that narrative,” he said.
“Everyone knows we’re putting player welfare in its broadest sense at the top of the agenda.
“I think Joe’s comments have continued to respect the fact that the match officials have got a tough job to do,” he added.
With additional reporting by AFP
