\u2b50 Save us to your Google Favourites <\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n Moore: \u201cPlayers should never be allowed to lay a hand on officials\u201d<\/p>\n Moore\u2019s strongest criticism centred on the alleged abuse directed at Australian referee Angus Gardner after he ruled out Argentina\u2019s last-gasp try following a TMO review.<\/p>\n Reports emerged that Gardner was subjected to abuse as he left the field, with footage appearing to show an object thrown in his direction while supporters shouted at the officials.<\/p>\n Moore also criticised Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz after he appeared to make contact with Gardner during the heated aftermath.<\/p>\n He wrote:<\/p>\n They actually made physical contact with the ref.<\/p>\n Likelihood is this will result in a ban.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t touch the ref. Physical intimidation. pic.twitter.com\/q04dSznBmX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWorld Rugby has a duty to fully investigate these reports and, if there is any truth to them, sanction Argentina in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore added:<\/p>\n \u201cPlayers should never be allowed to lay a hand on officials.\u201d<\/p>\n The former England international warned that failing to take strong action would only make it more difficult to recruit and retain referees.<\/p>\n \u201cRugby cannot afford to have its officials made vulnerable when they are doing their best to referee difficult games.\u201d<\/p>\n World Rugby urged not to ignore allegations<\/p>\n Moore believes the governing body now faces a major test.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a feeling that World Rugby will want to make light of these claims but if it does so, it will further discourage people from wanting to participate in officiating and it will be abrogating its responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that attracting match officials is already becoming increasingly difficult and protecting referees must become a priority.<\/p>\n England praised despite discipline concerns<\/p>\n Away from the controversy, Moore insisted England deserved significant credit for winning in one of rugby\u2019s toughest environments.<\/p>\n He described Argentina as a notoriously difficult place to tour and argued England would have secured an even more convincing victory had they avoided repeated disciplinary lapses.<\/p>\n Moore wrote:<\/p>\n \u201cWinning in Argentina is not easy, as even the best of sides have found out in recent years.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he also pointed to England\u2019s disciplinary record, noting Steve Borthwick\u2019s side have now collected\u00a015 yellow cards and one red card in eight matches during 2026.<\/p>\n He argued that while England showed genuine progress, \u201cany progress\u2026 is necessarily constrained by England\u2019s indiscipline.\u201d<\/p>\n Feyi-Waboso and England\u2019s forwards impress<\/p>\n Moore reserved special praise for several England players, highlighting the impact of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.<\/p>\n \u201cEngland can look at the perpetual threat offered by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso who looked unstoppable at times.\u201d<\/p>\n He also singled out Alex Coles, Ollie Chessum and George Martin, writing that:<\/p>\n \u201cTheir work in the tight and loose phases of the game was exemplary, as were their tackle counts.\u201d<\/p>\n Argentina\u2019s Maradona-inspired kit questioned<\/p>\n Moore also questioned why Argentina were allowed to wear a shirt inspired by the nation\u2019s iconic 1986 football World Cup strip.<\/p>\n He described the decision as:<\/p>\n \u201cA needless provocative gesture.\u201d<\/p>\n Argentina’s rugby stars are wearing a 1986 Maradona ‘Hand of God’-inspired replica shirt against England\u2026 just days after knocking them out of the World Cup \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/9BlRbPSZnq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n England Nations Championship tournament ratings: Every player from best to worst<\/p>\n Using\u00a0RUCK\u2019s player ratings\u00a0from all three matches, we\u2019ve ranked every England player from\u00a0best to worst\u00a0based on their average rating across the tournament. <\/p>\n Only players who received ratings in at least\u00a0two matches\u00a0have been included.<\/p>\n 1. Fin Smith \u2013 8.17<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 9 | Argentina 8<\/p>\n England\u2019s standout performer across the three Tests. Smith controlled games with maturity beyond his years, starred in the rout of Fiji and finished the tour with another composed display in Argentina. He has cemented himself as Steve Borthwick\u2019s first-choice fly-half.<\/p>\n 2. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso \u2013 7.67<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 7 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 9<\/p>\n After two solid performances, Feyi-Waboso exploded into life against Argentina with one of the displays of the summer. Powerful carrying, excellent finishing and almost impossible to stop one-on-one.<\/p>\n 3. Ben Earl \u2013 7.67<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 8 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 8<\/p>\n England\u2019s best forward throughout the campaign. Earl carried relentlessly against the Springboks before scoring twice against Argentina to finish another outstanding international window.<\/p>\n 4. Jack van Poortvliet \u2013 7.50<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 8<\/p>\n Quietly enjoyed an excellent series. His service improved with every game and he looked far more balanced in Argentina, despite picking up the first yellow card of his Test career.<\/p>\n 5. Ellis Genge \u2013 7.50<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 8 | Argentina 7<\/p>\n Led from the front all summer. Strong in the scrum, aggressive in the loose and one of England\u2019s most reliable senior players across the three Tests.<\/p>\n 6. Marcus Smith \u2013 7.17<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7<\/p>\n Played virtually everywhere in the backline during the tour. His versatility proved invaluable and he finished with tries against both Fiji and Argentina.<\/p>\n 7. Joe Heyes \u2013 7.00<\/p>\n Ratings:\u00a0South Africa 6 | Fiji 8 | Argentina 7<\/p>\n Recovered brilliantly after a difficult afternoon against the Springboks. His scrummaging against Fiji was outstanding before another industrious display in Argentina.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Argentina_v_England_-_2026_Nations_Championship-6-869x1024.jpg.webp\"\/)
<\/a>SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA \u2013 JULY 18: Ben Earl of England runs with the ball while under pressure from Marcos Kremer of Argentina during the 2026 Nations Championship match between Argentina and England at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on July 18, 2026 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Nations Championship\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Argentina_v_England_-_2026_Nations_Championship-5-1-1024x683.jpg.webp\"\/)
<\/a>SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA \u2013 JULY 18: Joe Heyes of England is tackled by Gonzalo Garcia of Argentina during the 2026 Nations Championship match between Argentina and England at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on July 18, 2026 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Nations Championship\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Argentina_v_England_-_2026_Nations_Championship-7-1024x683.jpg.webp\"\/)
<\/a>SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA \u2013 JULY 18: Jamie George of England speaks to the media in a post match press interview after the 2026 Nations Championship match between Argentina and England at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on July 18, 2026 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Nations Championship\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n