Joe Schmidt said Australia was heartbroken after the 80th dramatic effort – and an important TMO decision sealed a surprising return for British and Irish lions in Melbourne and the victory of the series.
After his first Test defeat in Brisbane, Australia performed very well and appeared to be ready to surface the series in Melbourne – until Hugo Canon’s dramatic effort in the 80th minute snatched the victory to seal the series to save a game.
A mob of over 90,000 record lines in MCG witnessed a tremendous final, as officials reviewed a potentially dangerous clearance in construction work through Jack Morgan.
But the captain of the Wales was cleared of any wrongdoing, and the attempt was made – the lions of Andy Ferrell were included in the history books and destroyed the Australian players on the turf.
“It’s difficult to do,” Head Coach Schmidt said. Sky Sports. “We guided 79 minutes and then finally decided, making us feel very difficult.”
Schmidt praised his party’s response after the first Test defeat in Brisbane, saying: “I am still proud of the players – he responded after last week’s results and showed real imitation.
“They showed that they could play. We found a place in the edges and the middle, and a real attacker looked like a threat.”
But the Australian head coach could not hide his frustration from a decisive call, he added at a press conference after his match: “Everyone can mind his mind.
“You just have to read 9.20, then listen to the referee’s details and see the vision. A player who dives with his feet is clearly hit on the ball, contacts the neck – it’s difficult.”
Asked if the time of the incident affected the results, Schmid replied: “Yes, I do. Because they are human.
“Players make mistakes, match officials make mistakes. But from our point of view, it does not really move a big player safety. [World Rugby] Talking “
Warren Gateland – who masterminds the last series of lions in Australia in 2013 – presented a different view.
“I talked to the Schmidt and felt that it was a fine, but I just saw it as a clear outout,” said the head coach of the lines three times.
“I don’t know where Jack Morgan had to go – it seemed like a rugby event for me. I think it was the right decision.”
Walby now turns to Sydney for next week’s third test.
For the shrine, the immediate focus is on handling the emotional result after their crushing defeat in Melbourne.
He said, “The players are gutts. They are angry. I need to solve these feelings a little.”
“We travel to Sydney tomorrow, then we’ve got a day to recover – because they gave everything tonight.
“It is always proud to pull the jersey. This is a part of the journey. We wanted to live in Sydney, and we were – to the end.”
After clutching a series with a game to save in Melbourne, Lines travel to Sydney where they can complete a rare series white wash on the Walbies in the third and final test.
See directly at the Sky Sports The Lines and Main event from 9.30am (Kick of 11am) next week – or continue without a contract.