England vs Australia Schmidt Responds to Accusations of Illegal Tactics
In the wake of Australia’s 25-7 loss to England, coach Joe Schmidt has responded to allegations regarding illegal tactics at the breakdown. Reports claimed England’s coach, Steve Borthwick, highlighted Australia’s supposed side-entry methods to referee Nika Amashukeli prior to the match.
Australia’s Defense Against Tactics Accusations
Captain Harry Wilson and Schmidt both rejected these claims. Schmidt referenced statistical data during his post-match conference to refute the accusations. He stated, “I think it’s a bit of gamesmanship,” emphasizing that prior to the match, Australia had recorded 1,256 attacking rucks, which includes over 25,000 player entries.
He pointed out that Australia received only one yellow card and had no players injured from clean-outs. Schmidt added, “We haven’t ever been excessively penalized for side entry,” expressing disappointment at the unresolved discussion yet asserting it would not distract his team from focusing on their performance.
Upcoming Challenges for Australia
Following the defeat in London, Australia is preparing for their next match against Italy in Udine. The team has faced significant travel challenges; they played in Japan before the England game. However, Schmidt refrained from using travel as an excuse for their loss.
- Match Date: Saturday
- Teams: England vs. Australia
- Location: Twickenham
- Next Opponent: Italy in Udine
Schmidt noted, “We don’t want to make excuses. England were very, very good tonight.” He acknowledged England’s intensity at the breakdown, their ball-carrying capabilities, and the advantage provided by seasoned players, including six British and Irish Lions on their bench. Schmidt is focused on building similar depth within the Australian squad, recognizing that this development requires time.
