AUSTRALIA v IRELAND AUSSIES CRY FOL

Wallabies blast Irish tactics at high ball and at the breakdown and plan urgent talks with officials

AUSTRALIA are considering lodging a complaint against what they consider Ireland’s illegal blocking tactics on Israel Folau, according to Wallabies attack coach Stephen Larkham.

Ireland edged the second test 26-21 in Melbourne on Saturday to set up a decider in the three-match series but their treatment of Folau and slowing down of Australia’s ball at the breakdown have infuriated the hosts.

“It’s in our hands, it’s something that we have to sit down with the referees and discuss,” attack coach Stephen Larkham said.

“They might have a different opinion and every team in world rugby uses it and every team in Super Rugby uses it as well.

“But for us I think it’s two-fold. It’s one, getting the kicks accurate so that our chasers aren’t running between two or three guys, and then to bring it to the referees’ attention just to make sure that everything is legal there.

“I think Ireland did a fantastic job at slowing the ball down and again you’ve got to look at their tactics and say: is it something we need to bring up with the referee?”

Larkham admitted Australia’s kicking was particularly poor in Melbourne but was confident the side would improve for the series decider in Sydney on Saturday.

“There’s putting the ball out, there’s execution and accuracy of our kicks, and then looking at our chase line and how we can fix that,” he said.

Meanwhile, New South Wales Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon has joined the squad in place of Will Genia, who will miss six weeks with a broken arm.

HIGH STAKES Israel Folau is used as a weapon by Australia under the high ball