7 hours ago
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Australia flanker Carlo Tizzano says he cannot comprehend the criticism he received from former players and pundits in the wake of a critical clearout by Jac Morgan in the British and Irish Lions' series-clinching second Test win in Melbourne in July.
With Australia leading 26-24 in the final minute of the match, Tizzano attempted to snatch a turnover as the Lions' James Ryan went to ground, but Morgan arrived at the ruck a split second later and cleared him out.
In the following phase, Lions full-back Hugo Keenan went over for the winning score.
While Morgan's clearout was reviewed by the Television Match Official and the try allowed to stand, Australia coach Joe Schmidt believed Morgan making contact above Tizzano's shoulder line - without binding on to his opponent - meant it should have been penalised.
Former England flanker James Haskell was one of those to take issue with Tizzano, who fell back clutching his head in the incident, accusing him of "diving".
Wales legend Sam Warburton, who captained the Lions on their 2013 and 2017 tours, wrote in a column, external for the Times that Tizzano had been guilty of "simulation", while Lions fly-half Finn Russell said the 25-year-old "obviously holds his head and tries to get a penalty from it".
"I thought maybe those guys who played previously, the pundits, would be a bit more considerate and understand, because they've been there, done it," Tizzano told the Sydney Morning Herald., external
"Spectators haven't done it. They haven't played Test match rugby. But these guys that have, and they understand what your body goes through every single week, that's the thing I didn't - and I don't - really understand. I don't think I ever will."
Schmidt rested Tizzano for the third Test, citing the amount of online abuse his player had received over the incident.
"Jac's a tough dude, he's a powerful athlete, so getting in that position, I'm quite low, and that just jams you back," said Tizzano, recalling their collision.
"Having nerve damage in my neck previously, if anyone that's had nerve damage, it's like boiling water gets poured through from your neck all the way down your trap in your arm.
"I hit my head, my nerve stuff activated, I'm gonna hold my head… so yeah, that is what happened."
Tizzano, who played for Ealing Trailfinders in the Championship during the 2022-23 season before moving back to his homeland and forcing his way into the Wallabies squad, said Morgan had sought him out after Australia's victory in the third Test in Sydney the following weekend.
"He came up to me straight away and actually spoke to me, and said, 'mate, I hope you're good, I thought you had an awesome tour and you're a great player'," said Tizzano.
"I really appreciated him, he didn't have to do that, but he's the number seven, he gets it. He gets the weekly grind of what you have to put your body through, even just when you're training."
Tizzano has made four appearances for the Wallabies since the end of the Lions series, most recently starting their 19-15 win over Japan last month.
