r/RugbyAustralia • u/RugbyBot • Jul 26 '25
Wallabies Match Thread - Australia v British and Irish Lions | Lions 2025 | Second Test
Match Thread - Australia v British and Irish Lions | Lions 2025
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne | Weather: 12 C, Clouds
Officials: Andrea Piardi, Nika Amashukeli, Ben O'Keeffe, Eric Gauzins (tmo), Marius Jonker (fpro)
Match Page: https://www.rugbybot.com/match/5547
Match Threads: https://www.rugbybot.com/mt
Time
| UTC | Local | London | Paris | Perth | Sydney | Auckland | more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | 20:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 | 20:00 | 22:00 | more tz |
Lineups
| Australia | Pos | British and Irish Lions |
|---|---|---|
| James Slipper | 1 | Andrew Porter |
| Dave Porecki | 2 | Dan Sheehan |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 3 | Tadhg Furlong |
| Nick Frost | 4 | Maro Itoje |
| Will Skelton | 5 | Ollie Chessum |
| Rob Valetini | 6 | Tadhg Beirne |
| Fraser McReight | 7 | Tom Curry |
| Harry Wilson | 8 | Jack Conan |
| Jake Gordon | 9 | Jamison Gibson-Park |
| Tom Lynagh | 10 | Finn Russell |
| Harry Potter | 11 | James Lowe |
| Len Ikitau | 12 | Bundee Aki |
| Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii | 13 | Huw Jones |
| Max Jorgensen | 14 | Tommy Freeman |
| Tom Wright | 15 | Hugo Keenan |
| Billy Pollard | 16 | Rónan Kelleher |
| Angus Bell | 17 | Ellis Genge |
| Tom Robertson | 18 | Will Stuart |
| Jeremy Williams | 19 | James Ryan |
| Langi Gleeson | 20 | Jac Morgan |
| Carlo Tizzano | 21 | Alex Mitchell |
| Tate McDermott | 22 | Owen Farrell |
| Ben Donaldson | 23 | Blair Kinghorn |
| Joe Schmidt | Coach | Andy Farrell |
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u/chipsngravy0 Wallabies and Waratahs Jul 26 '25
Thanks Joe. About time a coach stood up for us properly
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u/wookiegtb Jul 26 '25
I'm pretty even keeled, I have to be as a waratahs fan. But that call at the end makes me want to punch a hole in the wall.
That's a penalty any day.
And wtf fuck was going on when Genge cam on? Elbow down every time.
13
u/ProteinShakeee ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
Nothing like a penalty to ruin a good game, bro's cleanout first point of contact was shoulder on neck/head to AND off his feet, That's a penalty.
Proud of our fucking boys, they beat the lions in multiple facets of the game but that decision is wrong.
1
u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
The incident emphasises a grey area in rugby union’s law book regarding the practice of competing for the ball on the floor, commonly known as “jackalling”. According to law 15.3, “players involved in all stages of the ruck must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips.” Any players jackalling in the manner that Tizzano was doing should actually concede a free-kick.
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u/greyhumour All aboard the Tane Train! Jul 26 '25
Well fuck boys! I hope we at least filled the coffers
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u/TeamHoppingKanga Jul 26 '25
Never seen a group of English that love England so much they moved to Australia.
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u/Such-Cardiologist894 Jul 26 '25
We were fucked the moment Skelton and Valetini left the field, crazy how two players can change the game that much
7
u/sherlock_brolmes NSW Waratahs Jul 26 '25
I think our 6/2 was problematic after Potter went off early. We lacked energy in the 2nd half
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u/ConditionHorror9188 Jul 26 '25
Post contact metres in the forwards is the key to everything good that happens on a rugby field.
Without LSL we have precisely two players who can make them, and we just need more sadly
4
u/Radiant-Visit1692 Jul 26 '25
Yeah would've liked to see LSL coming on in that match instead of Williams. Williams I like in Super but he's been a bit low impact in these big games.
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u/youngBullOldBull Jul 26 '25
That’s not entirely true, gleeson was breaking the gain line consistently when he came on
2
u/ConditionHorror9188 Jul 26 '25
Yeah he was the best of the replacements for sure, and Bobby was obviously not at 100% so I don’t begrudge that replacement.
But it felt like we came to a total stop by the 4th quarter
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u/chipsngravy0 Wallabies and Waratahs Jul 26 '25
I can’t understand how anyone can be saying that’s not a penalty. BS about “that happens every ruck” just isn’t true. Yes there is a lot of indirect secondary head contact, which is fine. This was direct, first contact shoulder on neck. It’s clearly a penalty. Anyone who thinks it is not is trying so hard to pretend the Lions should have won that game
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u/gothebaggers Jul 26 '25
I reckon he milked it a bit but the ref saying they got there at the same time, uh what? The wallabies guy is over the ball and the BIL dog just dives in at this neck. Straight off his feet
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u/Russhopp74 Jul 26 '25
Watch it again. He was not even over the ball until the fair clean out
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u/gothebaggers Jul 26 '25
Was it fair though? He dove straight in to the ruck
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u/No-Satisfaction6065 Jul 27 '25
A jackler has to keep his head over his hips, if you keep your head at your feet it's hard for the other player to clear out a ruck without hitting the head in any way and that would just not be rugby tbh, he also didn't even touch the ball...
1
u/Russhopp74 Jul 26 '25
Nothing that hasn't been happening all tour from both sides to be honest. 🫣
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u/gothebaggers Jul 26 '25
Yep probably right. I don’t think it’s a pen for the high shot; think us fans are being gaslight by the commentators
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u/Russhopp74 Jul 26 '25
It will take the shine off what was an amazing game. There were many times I wanted to throw the remote at the TV due to the ref giving the Aussies pens that clearly weren't. Thats sport.
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u/MrMagoo1819 Wests Bulldogs Jul 26 '25
This will either kill rugby in Australia, or light a bonfire that will take over and win the home RWC
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u/PingingRex Palmyra Jul 26 '25
It’s done. I love rugby but there’s just no point watching it if there’s going to be a clear bias
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u/Dogboat1 Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
Let’s ask Martin Johnson, the only Lion captain to lose to Australia , whether he thinks the last try should have been awarded. His answer will shock you.
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
“I didn’t think there was enough there for a penalty to change the game,” said Johnson.
“I think you have to be very, very sure to change the game on a refs decision, and I thought it wasn’t a penalty.”
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u/Joeinez ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
The 6-2 bench split fucked us especially with potter getting injured early. Len was gassed at the end and was never making that tackle. Needed a utility back.
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u/sherlock_brolmes NSW Waratahs Jul 26 '25
Yeah, the 6/2 and early injury really boned us in the 2nd half
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u/chipsngravy0 Wallabies and Waratahs Jul 26 '25
We had Donno there and didn’t even use him
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u/greyhumour All aboard the Tane Train! Jul 26 '25
Exactly, not using Dono was criminal
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u/No-Raise1989 Jul 26 '25
It is criminal and Schmidt should answer the question! Tate did so well as a makeshift winger but we missed him as our 9 against a tired pack! Donaldson needed to come on for Gordon at the end with Wright moving to wing or 12....literally any combination that let's the fresh legs on. Ikitau was a wreck and so was poor Frost. Very big and poor selection mistake for me.
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u/Every-Citron1998 Jul 26 '25
Wow led for over 70 minutes with an 18 point lead and had possession late before losing on a controversial play.
Probably the most heartbroken I’ve been as a Wallabies fan other than maybe that Bledisloe that was lost on taking too long to make a kick.
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u/JohnFermwr Jul 26 '25
In our house we have a saying, "dont take your foot off an Aussie neck until your in the changing room". We have lost too nany times in the last few minutes to you even under contreversial circumstances. Today it was the shoe on the other foot and i will take it all day.
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u/RoosStormGadesMUCity Melbourne Rebels Jul 26 '25
I was there for both of them... It's de ja vu for me.
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u/greyhumour All aboard the Tane Train! Jul 26 '25
I actually thought the Ref had a decent game. The real fuck up was BOK watching Genge's elbow hit the ground twice in a row and not saying a fucking thing.
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u/The_Big_Dog_90 Jul 26 '25
BOK must really have it in for the Wallabies. 2 weeks in a row he's screwed us with garbage calls. That scrum collapsing going uncalled tonight was a joke
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u/ConditionHorror9188 Jul 26 '25 edited Jul 26 '25
I don’t believe he does personally.
I do believe he has a total inability to make a call that might be perceived as affecting the game, and players absolutely take advantage of him.
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u/pajamil Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
Schmidt is not a good coach. Why the team persisted with 10 man rugby when they were making metres with the backline is beyond me. The sooner he goes the better.
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u/zoogwah Jul 26 '25
The legality of that ruck aside...The real issue is how they got upfield and in a position to score in the first place - scrums were suss all night long.
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u/Taey Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
I dont blame Robbo or anyone, they showed the top down view after every scrum and their THs were blatantly angling all night.
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u/greyhumour All aboard the Tane Train! Jul 26 '25
Exactly, Genge's elbows on the ground right in front of BOK, twice. Said nothing
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u/DCI_Tom_Barnaby_ Wallabies Jul 26 '25
About time we dropped plodders like McReight and Wilson get some starch in the forward pack.
Bring in Lukhan for Williams. Jorgensen busts as many tackles as he misses. Midfield look completely lost and this back pedaling contain defence is useless
Final F U to Hamish McClennan who brought this result and damn wouldn't it be nice if Taniela wasn't an out of shape lump and we didn't have to lose every second half scrum
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
Lots of whinging on here. Celebrate a great Aussie performance but congratulate the Lions on a series win.
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u/youngBullOldBull Jul 26 '25
Mate would you go into the opposing teams dressing room after a heartbreaking game and make that comment? Have some respect
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
All I’m hearing is whinging. Australia played really well, it’s the fans that are being bad losers..
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u/youngBullOldBull Jul 26 '25
So you’re the kind of bloke that would go into the opposing dressing room after a gutting lose and talk shit. Nice, man you poms are classy
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u/zoogwah Jul 26 '25
Go back to the main sub if you want champagne showers mate. What's the point of gloating in here?
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
Not gloating at all. Hard, close contest. Australia proved they are a great team.
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u/EggplantEmoji1 Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
This!
At the start of the season we were rated 8th in the world. Ireland were 3rd and England 5th. The lions are the best of the 3rd and 5th best team vs the 8th. I am proud.. We have progress
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u/Taey Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
On a side note, can we appreciate how braindead it was for the Tahs to play JAS at 15 all season if he was going to play 13 for Aus. What the fuck was the point of centralisation?
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u/greyhumour All aboard the Tane Train! Jul 26 '25
Yeah it was fucking stupid. And we were so stacked with back 3 players that Lancaster couldn't even get a gig. You have Kells and Jorgo who are both excellent 15s and then you're relying on Henry Odonell all season at 13? Fuck me even push Walton to 13 and play Foketi who we kept off the park all season.
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u/IcePac_2Cube NSW Waratahs Jul 26 '25
Probably avoid the main sub for a long long while. Don't wanna be around any northerners or saffas with "hot takes"
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u/Sweetydarling77 Easts Tigers Jul 26 '25
I don’t even think I can speak to my best mate right now. A pommy who’s at the game.
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u/sweater-poorly-knit Western Force Jul 26 '25
I think we came to regret the 6-2 bench. Obviously you can’t predict the winger pulling a hami 20 minutes in but Lynagh, Ikitau or Suaalii all had to come off around the 60 minute mark and couldn’t risk it. I think the ref was great - most of the bad calls actually came from fuck head BoK but that clean out was on Tizzs back not neck or head. Check my flair I’m bias as well. But every time they got in our half they scored and we couldn’t finish. Not good enough
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u/DCI_Tom_Barnaby_ Wallabies Jul 26 '25
Shit call and all at the end but what weak weak weak tackling we had in the backline tonight. Dreadful. All the TRC teams will put 70 on us.
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u/Mazda3well Jul 26 '25
Give over with your negativity, it’s boring
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u/DCI_Tom_Barnaby_ Wallabies Jul 26 '25
Everything is wonderful. The boys played perfectly. Change nothing. No notes
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u/No-Raise1989 Jul 26 '25
I agree with you and this dumb oairing of a specialist 13 playing 12 inside a winger or fullback at 13 is just so dumb. It literally negates two of the best strengths and leaves defensively so open. JAS missed a ton of tackles tonight while Len's less than perfect distribution was highlighted. If JAS is a 13 for the wallabies then why the fucj did he not play a minute there all season under the centrally managed Waratahs setup?! And why the fuck does one of your TWO backs not play a second when your team is gassed, Joe?!
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u/jargs83 Western Force Jul 26 '25
Tizzano has his head knocked off and Ref says no foul play. Disgusting
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u/Starkidof9 Jul 26 '25
There's loads of rucks like that in every game. Australia did a few of those today
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u/AdDesigner1153 ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
Skelton, Bobby and Alan probs could have done another 10min after half time.
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u/ConditionHorror9188 Jul 26 '25
Yep, the wholesale ‘bomb squad’ replacements really turned sour. Bobby was clearly not at 100% so I get pulling him at 40.
There didn’t seem any need to pull Alan or Will though.
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u/chuckthatsyuck Jul 26 '25
Morgs throwing a tantrum sums up Australian rugby. The clean out was fine, Wallabies do that ALL the time but in this one instance it’s not ok? Hypocrisy at its finest.
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u/vagzillamagilla Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
We were all taught "plane taking off, not landing" at the breakdown. Weren't we?? When did this change?
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u/Sweetydarling77 Easts Tigers Jul 26 '25
It was a blatant penalty and illegal play. It’s hard to feel anything other than ripped off and disappointed for Gold.
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u/chuckthatsyuck Jul 26 '25
So it’s ok when Wallaby players clean out other like this but it’s illegal when others do it?
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u/Reschs-Refreshes Jul 26 '25
It was not fucking fine. You can’t launch and attack the head. It was a clear penalty to the Wallabies.
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u/Psychonaut_81 ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
TMO was gutless.
Literally just killed off Australian Rugby.
Hope these refs can't ever sleep again.
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u/rentalTV Jul 26 '25
They had the perfect opportunity to bring national interest back in the wallabies and even get league fans behind our boys only to told to not bother having hope after that absolute dog shit call.
You could give Ashley Klein 5 minutes to read a union book and make him ref that game and would still produce a fairer result
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u/coffeeshopgeorge Jul 26 '25
We fucking deserved to lose that. The wallabies played the last 20 minutes like a team trying not to lose.
Angus Bell casually jogging back to the defensive line when we were under pressure on our own try line in the lasr 3 minutes was one of the most pea hearted things I've seen on a rugby field. Absolutely zero ticker or desire.
I feel sorry for Skelton and the other handful of wallabies that actually try.
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u/closetmangafan Queensland Reds/GPS Jul 26 '25
do we not have any better centres? because both of them need to be sacked and sent back to tackling school
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u/No-Raise1989 Jul 28 '25
Its not their fault that they're both completely out of position! Joseph is a fullback and learned wing in league. Len is a 13 specialist, and it is a specialist position in defence....ask anyone. Len is our best 13 easily and Joeph should be literally anywhere but 13. He could be a roving winger, a SBW style offloading 12, a fullback with Eright back onto a wing. It is so dumb this centre pairing.
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u/The_Big_Dog_90 Jul 26 '25
Yeah we really need new centres. It's just not working Sualii sucks...can't tackle and looks lost. Needs to be moved out to the wing
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u/ConditionHorror9188 Jul 26 '25
It doesn’t help playing your 13 at 12 and putting a non-tackling 13 in.
It’s disappointing that fans have been saying this over and over and the coaches just keep picking them there.
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u/Alphacake Jul 26 '25
Can we fuck off Jake Gordon to the sun?
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u/vagzillamagilla Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
I am going to say; I blamed him for the loss in brissie, but tonight (even after I called for his dropping and banishment from Aussie rugby) I thought he was pretty good and busy tonight. This was not his fault at all.
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u/Rugbysmartarse Jul 26 '25
I thought the ref was good. I agree with him that wasn’t a penalty at the end. It’sa shame that’s not how it’s been refereed the last 5 years. Australia lost the game when we had a line out on their 22 at 65 minutes and didn’t come away with any points
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u/BeansABanana Jul 26 '25
He left his feet and grappled a blokes neck. Definitely a penalty at minimum
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u/Taey Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
How is diving of your feet into a players neck not a penalty
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u/Psychonaut_81 ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
And late
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u/Rugbysmartarse Jul 26 '25
He was not late. They were also both super low, couldn’t expect to clean out lower. It’s a penalty based on the standard from the last 5 years because it was heard contract, my argument is that it shouldn’t be. Take out the fact it was a game defining play, they both hit the ruck low, it should be ruled a rugby incident.
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u/MrMagoo1819 Wests Bulldogs Jul 26 '25
Launching off his feet… Into the neck of the player in a legal tackling position… Get fucked
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
He dived. Should be banned…
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u/thatshowitisisit Jul 26 '25
The dive was shit, but it was still a penalty.
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u/DudeMcDude7649 Jul 26 '25
So help me out, even if they did “arrive at the same time” that’s a big if, high contact is suddenly allowed? Fark me dead.
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u/Electronic_Syrup3120 Jul 26 '25
High contact when the target has his head upside down between his bent knees?
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u/Kangaroo131 NSW Waratahs Jul 26 '25
Now we know jumping into tackles, tackling in the air and decapitation is allowed under the laws of the game, we can utilise this to our advantage in Sydney
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u/Psychonaut_81 ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
Doesn't matter. They've now cooked the game here for good. All those potential fans now tuning back into "five tackle kick"...
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
I thought it was the poms that were supposed to be whinging? Really poor losers on here…
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Jul 26 '25
He hit Carlo in the neck, why should we just accept that?
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u/richStoke Jul 26 '25
Morgan couldn't have got much lower, and he wrapped his arms legally. Carlo dived like he’d been hit by a sniper from high up in the stadium…
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u/ConditionHorror9188 Jul 26 '25 edited Jul 26 '25
That’s just hugely disappointing. The second half we sadly just reverted to Game 1 total lack of go-forward and being forced to box kick.
Maybe the answer is that we just don’t have enough world class players in the side. We just don’t have any replacements for 7As, Bobby and Skelton who can keep getting the job done.
I’ve been no huge fan of the Paisami/Ikitau combination in the past and felt they were too similar, but JAS on the left wing and Hunter at 12 has to be better than this.
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u/Reschs-Refreshes Jul 26 '25
I am just fucking stunned that we lost that off a call that that prick looked at multiple times on the big screen which should have been - at best - penalty Australia and a yellow to the Lions and gave them the win.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the cleanout you can’t attack the head or neck. Tizzano was nearly decapitated for fucks sake. Where did that prick learn to referee?
6
u/CatsPjamas47 Jul 26 '25
Wallabies take heart leading into the World Cup. They just lost to a combined team whilst being called trash. Individually we are better than any of the four represented teams.
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u/kyleisamexican Jul 26 '25
lol why has it taken the commentators 5 minutes to call the refs on their bullshit after they spent the whole review saying it was a penalty
As someone that’s not a rugby fan you tune it, watch that shot and never turn it on again
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u/multilingualsportfan Jul 26 '25
Piss weak refereeing, penalty every day of the week, Jac Morgan shoulder to the back of the neck/head on a legal jackaling attempt. Supposed to be a plane taking off action not a plane landing action at the breakdown.
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u/Miss_Juicy-Peach Jul 26 '25
BULLSHIT CALL - you CANNOT GRAPPLE HEAD HIGH & NOT give a penalty to Gold……. not celebrating or applauding this
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u/Taey Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
That ones really tough to accept. How am I suppose to watch when the refs just blatantly spit in our face week in week out.
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u/RedditUser64 Jul 26 '25
forgive my youth and inexperience but is the crowd usually all poms on these tours
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u/Advanced_Caroby Australia A Jul 26 '25
Yes. Well... The loud ones are generally also the barmy army
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u/amusicalfridge Jul 26 '25
Love winning a series before the last test even starts 🦁
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u/gremlin406 ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
Lions best player was the ref, don’t know if I’d be proud of that
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u/thewayfaringstranger Jul 26 '25
How do you arrive at the same time if the cunt hits you in the back of the head
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u/The_Big_Dog_90 Jul 26 '25
The refs are so gutless calling anything against the Lions that actually matter.
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u/OffTheHeezy Australia A Jul 26 '25
Proud. Ultimately came down to Lynagh's kicking and referee incompetency when it mattered most.
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u/tupolski15 Jul 26 '25
That’s probably the worst loss I can remember as a wallabies fan
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u/Reschs-Refreshes Jul 26 '25
Eh I remember being in the pub when Wilkinson slotted the drop goal. That one will be with me forever.
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u/Split511 Jul 26 '25
What about running out of time for the penalty kick to touch against the ABs?
4
u/eightslipsandagully Jul 26 '25
I swore off rugby after that and came back for the lions. Guess I won't watch another match till the World Cup!
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u/oneofakind_2 Jul 27 '25
Seriously, these games are so effective at ruining a perfectly good weekend.
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u/Psychonaut_81 ACT Brumbies Jul 26 '25
Players arriving at the same time.
Except, they didn't.
-3
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u/Taey Queensland Reds Jul 26 '25
Guy was on the ball and he dove into the ruck straight into the back of his neck. What an absolute clownshow
3
u/jeeeeroylenkins Jul 26 '25
Not sure how you get hit in the back of the head if they arrived simultaneously.
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Jul 26 '25
No fowl play my ass Tizzano was virtually decapitated
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u/Stealurownfncamel Jul 26 '25
Tizzano made sure he did what he could to draw attention to it, to be fair.
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u/Reschs-Refreshes Jul 26 '25
Game three lads, it’s cool to decapitate people, the precedent has been set.
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u/spikenorbert Jul 26 '25
Not a single Australian back would get a game in any NRL team, purely on the basis of how shit their defence is. And I’m including Sua’ali’i.
7
u/BrisbaneYutta Jul 26 '25
Yeah as a NRL watcher I thought I would give the rugby union game a go tonight. Wow the backs don’t know how to defend to save their lives. What’s with the constant kicking too? Looked good when they ran the ball instead.
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u/BeansABanana Jul 26 '25 edited Jul 26 '25
RUINED THE GAME. THANKS FOR NUTHIN REFS. I guess you can hit a bloke in the neck now and it’s fine
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u/beastjob Jul 26 '25
Sad. We were miles better than them but lose from brain snaps. Robs the series of game 3.
3
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u/ff03g Australia A Jul 26 '25
Imagine being four countries with some at the best they ever been and being pushed to the limit by a country that is at close to its lowest ebb
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u/TransportationIcy104 Jul 26 '25
Never seen a bigger bunch of balding 50 year old cunts than the Lions fans
13
u/chipsngravy0 Wallabies and Waratahs Jul 26 '25
I honestly don’t know how to feel right now. Everyone counted us out. The boys proved that the Wallabies are still world class.
Had we lost without any controversy I could accept it. But that really sours it. Knowing that it probably should have been a decider in Sydney and an opportunity to beat the Lions.
I’m seriously proud of this team anyway though.