Australian Chiefs Demand Explanation Over Late Try

Row Over Keenan Score Escalates After Lions' First Series Win For 12 Years

- Gerard Meagher

Australian rugby officials want an explanation of the decision to award the British & Irish Lions a last-gasp series-clinching try against the Wallabies at the MCG on Saturday.

Phil Waugh, the Rugby Australia chief executive, has called for accountability following Hugo Keenan's 80th-minute try in an escalating row after the Lions' first series win in 12 years.

After the final whistle Joe Schmidt, the Australia head coach, pointed the finger at the match officials and, while he is expected to escape an official sanction from World Rugby, it is understood that the governing body has taken a dim view of the New Zealander's post-match comments, with one senior source believing Andrea Piardi got the decision correct.

Australia were furious that Piardi did not disallow Keenan's try for what they perceived was an illegal clearout by the Lions replacement flanker Jac Morgan on Carlo Tizzano. Piardi reviewed the incident but determined that no foul play had occurred on the basis that both players arrived at the ruck at the same time and that Morgan was wrapping.