World Rugby react to Joe Schmidt’s comments – and they’re not happy
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Not happy.
World Rugby have officially responded to the Jac Morgan clear-out controversy during the British and Irish Lions’ series-winning victory over Australia at the weekend – and they have labelled Joe Schmidt’s comments ‘disappointing.’
Schmidt was livid with the decision after the game, insisting it was the wrong call, adding that “it doesn’t really live up to the big player safety push that they (World Rugby) are talking about.”
But World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin, speaking at an event revealing ticketing details for the 2027 World Cup, has hit back at the Australia head coach, who previously held a role with the governing body following his time with Ireland.
“It’s disappointing when the reaction is one of ‘this means player welfare isn’t taken seriously’ because we have worked really hard on that narrative,” said Gilpjn, who also revealed that Schmidt will not face disciplinary action for his comments.
“Everyone knows we are putting player welfare, in its broadest sense, at the top of the agenda.
“You can see that from what we are doing with the instrumented mouthguards, all the research, the science, the investigations.
“The way the laws of the game have evolved in the last few years is all about ‘how do we have this great physical contest, but make it as safe as possible?’. That part is challenging, in terms of the player welfare statements.”
“It’s just making them realise they’re supported and that we are checking in on them. They’re a great unit. They’ve been together on this tour as a team,” Gilpin said.
“You’ll recall that in the last Lions series in South Africa, when the match official in the first Test was very heavily criticised… the mental health challenges…
“Wayne Barnes has talked about it. We’ve got match officials who, when they’re criticised publicly, see their families targeted outside the school gates.
“That’s not good, that’s not fair and that’s not right, so we’ve got to support these guys.”
