Sir Clive Woodward has given his view on Owen Farrell’s controversial tackle from England’s 37-18 victory over Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Australia head coach, Michael Cheika, was furious his side were not awarded a penalty try for Farrell’s no-arms tackle on Izack Rodda, branding the decision “ludicrous”, and Woodward very much agrees.
“It defies belief that referee Jaco Peyper did not award Australia a penalty try just before half-time for Owen Farrell’s challenge on Izack Rodda,” wrote the World Cup-winning coach in his column for Mail Online.
“It could have been a different game if the Aussies had gone in 17-13 up and England had been forced to play the first 10 minutes after the break without their fly-half.
“If I had been Michael Hooper, the Australian captain, I would have blown my top on the pitch. Hooper was much too diplomatic. As skipper, he was entitled to press the issue as to why the tackle wasn’t looked at by the TMO.
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I’m sure I heard Peyper telling Hooper it was all OK because the Australian lock used his shoulder as well and that it was a 50-50 decision. Of course Rodda did — as the ball carrier, he’s entitled to!
“And if I had been Michael Cheika, the Australia coach, I would have marched to the touchline and made an official protest. The decision was that bad.”