Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has unloaded on the officiating at the world under-20 championship, slamming Ireland’s escape act in their pool clash as “a disgrace.”
Ireland’s Rory Telfer and James McNabney have each been banned for three games for high tackles in the 30-10 win over Australia in South Africa on Thursday (AEST).
Telfer copped a yellow card for his shot on star winger Darby Lancaster while McNabney went un-punished during the game for his tackle.
Watch the 2023 under-20 world championship on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. Key matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
Lancaster will miss Australia’s final pool game against England on Tuesday (AEST) due to concussion, as will vice-captain Ned Slack-Smith who was dazed in another contentious incident.
“It’s a disgrace. It shouldn’t happen,” former Wallabies centre Grey told reporters.
“I’ve got a squad of 30 guys led by Teddy (Wilson) who work their absolute arses off to put ourselves in position and then these things happen.
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“The red cards should’ve happened and there should’ve been 45 minutes where we’re playing against 13 or 14 men.
“Ned gets knocked out by a guy carrying the ball who actively ducks into contact and literally headbutts him as he’s going into a very good tackle technique.
“I don’t know what’s going on. We’ll just concentrate on what we can control and that’s how we prepare and play.
“It’s a real shame but these things happen in footy so we’re got to take stock of it. Certainly not happy about it but it’s done so now we have to move onto England.”
Australia needs to beat England to have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
Grey will also be without prop Massimo de Lutiis (hamstring) and lock Jhy Legg (ankle) while Marley Pearce remains suspended.
Nick Bloomfield, Toby Macpherson, Nick Baker, Leafi Heka Talataina, Taj Annan and Ronan Leahy return to the starting side at Athlone Sports Stadium.
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