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HURT AUSSIES BLAME REFS
The Straits Times
|September 28, 2025
Wallabies call out 'perceived inconsistencies' after 33-24 loss ends Bledisloe Cup hopes
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Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said inconsistent refereeing was making his job harder, after his side went down 33-24 to New Zealand on Sept 27 to lose any chance of regaining the Bledisloe Cup for another year.
Referee Andrea Piardi penalised Australia 15 times and New Zealand 10 in the Rugby Championship test in Auckland, with many of the offences the Wallabies committed coming at the breakdown.
That crucially included a yellow card shown to winger Harry Potter in the final 10 minutes as the Wallabies, who had cut New Zealand's lead to two points, chased a first win in 39 years at Eden Park.
"It's really hard, because what we've perceived is inconsistencies," Schmidt said.
"That makes it difficult, and then players are asking us questions and we get clarification afterwards."
Piardi also had the whistle when Australia narrowly lost the second Test to the British & Irish Lions in July, the result coming down to the Italian's decision not to award a penalty in the lead up to the tourists' winning score.
This story is from the September 28, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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