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<\/p>\nBut Waugh said the Wallabies would be seeking clarity and explanations from World Rugby and referees boss Joel Jutge, who was also at the MCG, through regular channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe\u2019s comments at the press conference were 100 per cent aligned with mine as a CEO and a former Wallaby,\u201d Waugh said.<\/p>\n
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Hugo Keenan is chaired from the field after scoring the winning try.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to obviously give credit where it\u2019s due in terms of the way the Lions fought back into the game and were able to seal victory, but our position on that particular decision is consistent to what Joe outlined in his analysis of that last breakdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly there\u2019ll be the usual process, which is what happens after every Test match, and we\u2019ll certainly be looking for a level of accountability from World Rugby over the next period of time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game has come a long way [on player welfare] and it will continue to be one of the biggest focuses, so consistency around player welfare is critically important.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll go through the official channels for post-Test match reviews, and will expect a high level of accountability around some of the decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Jack Conan. Owen Farrell, Ronan Kelleher, Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge of the British & Irish Lions celebrate victory following the second test of the seriesCredit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
World Rugby declined to comment about Piardi\u2019s decision and refereeing performance, or whether Schmidt may face sanction.<\/p>\n
Questions have been asked about why World Rugby appointed Piardi for such a huge match, with the Italian having only handled 11 Tests before the MCG clash.<\/p>\n
Senior World Rugby officials had sympathy for the frustrations of Australia after the game at the MCG, according to sources with knowledge of the matter who are not authorised to comment publicly.<\/p>\n
Waugh declined on Sunday to share what communication between RA and World Rugby had occurred. He said his pride about the Wallabies\u2019 performance in the narrow loss extended to the way the team handled the disappointment post-game.<\/p>\n
![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/55d7c786ea21a97d106ac1220b883779658700fa.jpeg\")
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Nick Frost taps down a lineout at the MCG.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cAll contacts we have between Rugby Australia and World Rugby should stay between those two parties,\u201d Waugh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe obviously respect the governing body, and the way we should behave and integrity is one of our key elements of what we\u2019ve been trying to drive and instil in the organisation, and how we behave on and off the field is very important to us.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYou saw the class the players showed in clearly a very high-pressure situation and with a high level of disappointment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Waugh said he\u2019d been inundated with messages from people expressing pride in the Wallabies\u2019 performances, and said the atmosphere of a record 90,307 crowd at the MCG had created one of the most memorable sporting events seen at the venue.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd a lot of the feedback that I\u2019ve received from people who travel the world going to sporting events, was that match was as good as they\u2019ve ever been anywhere in the world,\u201d Waugh said.<\/p>\n
The RA boss said there expressed confidence the third Test in Sydney would still be a massive event despite being a dead rubber, and though some tickets are still available, the game is on track to sell out.<\/p>\n
All nine matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan <\/a>Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.<\/a><\/p>\n