Rugby’s Fun Police robbed Fiji. Here’s how game should make it up to them

The Wallabies showed enormous resilience to grab a 21-18 win against Fiji in Newcastle, but all thoughts about what it means for the British and Lions series should be suspended for the moment. Instead, the afternoon turned into a celebration of what Fiji offer, on the field and in the stands. The Wallabies were dominated in the second half, and rode their luck when a superb team try finished by Sireli Maqala was ruled out because Harry Potter had a toenail in touch - an infraction that no one spotted in real time or frankly cared about. Astonishingly, that was the sixth try ruled out by rugby’s Fun Police - the TMO - in the Wallabies-Fiji and All Blacks-France Tests across the weekend. As Rugby Australia scrambles to put together a competitive side for the AusNZ Invitational game next weekend, another solution is obvious - Fiji have to be part of the itinerary when the Lions next come to Australasia. They were superb.

Waratahs should inspire the Wallabies

The Waratahs play well with a chip on their shoulder. They did it when they upset the Chiefs in Sydney during Super Rugby and they carried a bagful of chips with them against the Lions on Saturday. They had clearly tapped into what they perceived as disrespectful media coverage about their prospects, and when the Lions opened the door for them with knock-ons to Hugo Keenan and Fin Smith, they took full advantage. Their aggression on defence and ability to put pressure on the Lions’ attacking plays was a clear blueprint for the Wallabies to follow, with one caveat: when the Lions hit the short, flat runner instead of going out the back - Sione Tuipulotu’s lovely little pass for Huw Jones’ early try was the perfect example - they used the Waratahs line speed against them.

Wet one … Andy Farrell, right, talks to Waratahs assistant coach Mike Catt after the match.Credit: Getty Images

Pull the other one Andy

Lions coach Andy Farrell’s insinuation that the Waratahs had watered the pitch on Saturday was a mix of classic coaching paranoia with some stereotyping thrown in. There are two big myths about Australian rugby often perpetuated by visitors. First, Australian players grow up playing AFL and therefore have a natural ability under the high ball; and second, the game is always played on fast, dry tracks. The Waratahs effectively played the Brumbies in a swimming pool in Sydney last year and are no stranger to tricky conditions, while up in Brisbane this season the Reds had to play wet weather footy all year. To be fair to Farrell, he did pay credit to the Waratahs’ defensive starch after the match - he should have just left it at that.

Wilson puts his hand up

The Waratahs coaches clearly have an enormous amount of faith in halfback Teddy Wilson. They’ve built a little loop play that maximises his pace, and the Waratahs even used it deep in their own territory in the first half against the Lions. The No 9 is also a born competitor with plenty of pace who can spark things himself. There was a lot of talk about Brumbies No 9 Ryan Lonergan being unlucky when he missed out on the Wallabies squad, which was entirely justifiable. But Wilson won’t be far away himself.

It’s tough being Taniela

Prop Taniela Tupou must feel like everyone is picking on him at the moment - referee Paul Williams seemed to be refereeing the game and then refereeing Tupou alone when it came to the scrums. But, as has been well established by now, the perception that Tupou is scrummaging illegally now appears to be embedded in the minds of referees - at least the ones from Super Rugby Pacific. It is going to be difficult to change that perception, and his role in the Wallabies’ three-Test series could be a minor one.

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.