British & Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan has admitted that he was a “little bit nervous” when his clear-out on Australia’s Carlo Tizzano was referred to the television match official in the dying seconds of his side’s victory over the Wallabies at the MCG on Saturday.
The much-debated incident effectively decided the outcome of the match, and series, as it would determine whether Hugo Keenan’s match-winning try at the death would stand or not. Referee Andrea Piardi deemed there was no foul play, giving the Lions a 29-26 victory and an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
As expected, this decision has not gone down well with many Australian fans and pundits, and Morgan’s comments after the match may not be pleasant listening for any disgruntled fans.
Just moments after the final whistle, Morgan was walking around the field talking to former Lion and Sky Sports pundit Will Greenwood, who asked him how he was feeling when the incident went up to the big screen.
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British & Irish Lions
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British & Irish Lions
“I was a little bit nervous, I won’t lie, but it’s one of those,” the 25-year-old said.
What was perhaps even more telling was his interview with Welsh broadcaster S4C pitchside, where he said in Welsh: “I was nervous,” before adding, “I thought I was alright, then I saw it.”
These comments may infuriate already disgruntled Wallabies supporters, but, despite being at the heart of the action, Morgan’s opinion or feelings on the incident are irrelevant; all that matters is that the match officials did not deem the incident illegal, nor did many fans and pundits across the world.
The two opposing coaches, the Lions’ Andy Farrell and the Wallabies’ Joe Schmidt, unsurprisingly sit on either side of the fence over the incident.
Farrell said, “I thought it was a good clear-out live. I couldn’t understand what they were going back for,” while Schmidt disagreed, saying: “Just watch the footage.”