Joe Schmidt defends Carlo Tizzano after online abuse

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has revealed that flanker Carlo Tizzano has been the target of online abuse following the controversial final moments of the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.

The match, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last Saturday, saw the Lions mount their greatest-ever comeback to win 29-23. Tizzano was cleared out by Jac Morgan during the decisive final ruck, a move that sparked debate over whether he exaggerated the contact.

Schmidt clarified that Tizzano had endured significant physical impact during the ruck.

“He’s had a really tough week,” Schmidt said. “He’s copped a lot of online abuse. But just over 54Gs of direct force went through his neck, along with nearly 2,200 revolutions of rotational force.

"That kind of force can cause serious injury, even if not to someone as well-conditioned as Carlo.”

Using a physics analogy, Schmidt said, “We’re all aware of Newton’s third law—every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

"When that force hits him and the speed of his head collapsing down is considered, he recoiled out the back of the ruck. I don’t think he wanted to recoil like that. It was just the force reacting as it does.”

Schmidt confirmed Tizzano would not be involved in the upcoming Test, although he had not suffered a concussion.

He was replaced in the squad by prop Zane Nonggorr. “He was still pretty sore on Tuesday, but he was back to his usual self today,” said Schmidt.

The coach advised Tizzano to avoid the media and social commentary. “We’ve tried to deal with facts—what forces occurred—and let him know we support him and have faith in him. That will continue,” Schmidt concluded.