'Most controversial call ever': Tizzano no-call lingers over Lions series win

The British & Irish Lions wrapped up the series in Australia with a 29-26 win as Irish fullback Hugo Keenan scored in the final minute of regular play.

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The heroic moment came to snatch the victory after they trailed for 76 minutes of the game, only leading for a mere two minutes.

However, the last try went to a review as a cleanout by Jac Morgan left Wallabies openside Carlo Tizzano floored.

The referees judged that no foul play had occurred, allowing the Lions to celebrate their unassailable 2-0 series lead.

Reactions to the call were divided as many weighed into the call on X, with some feeling that Australia was hard done by and Morgan “lucky”.

🦁 Morgan so lucky there. Will go down as one of the most controversial calls ever. If that happens at any other minute, it's probably a pen. — RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) July 26, 2025

Lions fan here. You were cheated out of the win there. That should have been an Australian penalty. — JimBobSquarePants 🇺🇦 (@James_M_South) July 26, 2025

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As controversial as it is, if Jac Morgan can’t clear out that ruck, the game is gone. Very tough call but there really isn’t much he could’ve done to avoid Tizzano’s neck with the way he positioned himself #Lions2025 — Matthew Phillips (@Mattphillips060) July 26, 2025

There were two very clear camps, with many Lions fans praising the non-call and some going as far as saying Tizzano should face a ban.

Morgan’s cleanout was “as low as he could go” as Tizzano’s “soccer” theatrics went uncalled.

What are you going on about. He’s as low as he can possibly go what’s he meant to do just let Tizzano get the clear out. Don’t think the most ardent Aussie supporter would be hugely upset with that. It’s a rugby collision play on — Evdnc Sport (@EvdncSports) July 26, 2025

What a disgrace Tizzano is to the game of Rugby Union with his soccer like theatrics in attempting to win a penalty like that. Shameful but thankfully the officials went through the process and didn’t agree. — Andrew Williamson (@UlsterCyclist) July 26, 2025

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No it wasn’t. He wraps, can’t get any lower. Tizzano milks it because it’s desperate. — andy mufc (@AndrewFearn95) July 26, 2025

Great decision from Andrea Piardi that, there’s nowhere else that Jack Morgan can clean Tizzano out there. — Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) July 26, 2025

Tizzano with a dive straight out of a Brazilian football league. Get in! #Lions — Jamie (@JLHutton91) July 26, 2025

Tizzano should be facing a ban for that Shameful behaviour, diving and rolling around like a toddler — Dan Rainbow (@A_Dan_Rainbow) July 26, 2025

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt told Stan Sport that another day “it might be a different decision” as “we could all see contact with the neck”.

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