‘Absolutely moronic’: Wallabies fans fume at contentious yellow card in England clash

Australian rugby fans were left fuming after a Wallabies winger was shown a yellow card during Saturday’s Test against England.

Izaia Perese of Australia. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Australian rugby fans were in uproar after Wallabies winger Izaia Perese was shown a yellow card following a dropped intercept during Saturday evening’s Test match against England in Brisbane.

After suffering a two-point loss last weekend, the visitors raced to a 13-0 at Suncorp Stadium with England No. 8 Billy Vunipola diving over in the fourth minute.

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England was on the attack once again soon after, with five-eighth Marcus Smith throwing a cut-out pass towards Tommy Freeman on the left wing in the 21st minute.

But Perese intervened, desperately leaping to his right with one outstretched hand and dropping the intercept chance — much to the frustration of Australian fans.

However, boos echoed around the venue after the 25-year-old was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, leaving the Wallabies with 14 men for 10 minutes.

Not a popular call with the home crowd. Perese has seen yellow for this 🤔#StanSportAU#Wallabies#AUSvENGpic.twitter.com/NdQ3GZTk9e

— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) July 9, 2022

“There’s no motion to knock that ball, he’s trying to drag it in,” former All Black Andrew Mehrtens said on Stan Sport commentary.

“This is the absurdity that we’re seeing at the moment, there’s just no common sense applied to some of the rulings.

“That’s not clear and deliberate. I absolutely take issue with this.

“Look how long the ball was in contact with the hand.

“That’s not a knock. That’s not a deliberate knock-on. There’s no way he’s thinking to knock that on.”

Australian legend Tim Horan continued: “Especially when your hand is up in the air and you’re trying to tap it. He catches that, and it comes back to a penalty in front of the post.

“I’m not sure what else are you supposed to do when the ball is there. Do you let it go, with the new laws now? I think he knew as soon as it hit his hand.”

To rub salt into the wound, star centre Owen Farrell booted a penalty kick to extend England’s lead to 16-0.

Injured Wallabies winger Andrew Kellaway fumed: “What’s he supposed to do? He goes for the ball. As a fan I’d hate to see it. The only people who seem happy about it are England.”

Can the TMO please disappear.

Why can’t a player take an intercept?

Honestly, this deliberate knockdown ruling is the worst in rugby. It’ll kill the game.

Wallabies in all sorts. England lead 13-0, with Izaia Perese yellow carded.

— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) July 9, 2022

That’s up there with the dumbest interpretation of a rule in world sport. Was clearly an intercept attempt. Absolutely moronic #AUSvsENG

— Laurie Horesh (@LaurieHoresh) July 9, 2022

So @wallabies Izaia Perese deliberately tried to intercept an @EnglandRugby pass but accidentally knocked on and is yellow carded. What a joke. #AUSvENG

— Tim Morrissey (@timmorrissey) July 9, 2022

What an absolute disgrace. Rugby is dead if this dreadful officiating keeps up . #AUSvsENG@wallabies

— Ben Dobbin (@MyMateDobbo) July 9, 2022

What is going on in rugby, seriously. ‘Deliberate’ knock on for a genuine attempt at an intercept. The game has gone mad. #AUSVENG

— Fraser Barton (@FraserBartonAAP) July 9, 2022

Thankfully, the Wallabies were able to muster a try before the halftime break, with prop Taniela Tupou scoring Australia’s first points in the 36th minute.

England returned to the sheds with a 19-7 lead but Australia’s woes only worsened in the second half, with Wallabies dropping like flies as the hosts were ravaged by injury.

Regardless, Australia reduced the deficit to just five points after centre Samu Kerevi dived over untouched in the 48th minute.

But it was too little too late for the Wallabies, who ultimately suffered a 25-17 loss to set up a tantalising series decider in Sydney next weekend.

“We wanted to come out fast,” England captain Courtney Lawes said after the eight-point win.

We had to win it. We set the tone well early. We managed to stick in there.”

Kerevi said: “I think we were our own worst enemies out there. England played outstanding. They played to their strengths. Credit to them.”

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper continued: “It was always going to be a tough one but we wanted to stick out the game. They were throwing punches and coming down our throat pretty well. We managed to stop the bleed and get back into the game. The fight in this team ... was really pleasing.”

Earlier, the Wallabies were showered with praise for singing the Australian national anthem in Yugambeh language in recognition of NAIDOC week.