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'Maybe we have to move Australia to the northern hemisphere' - Cheika's furious response to Farrell shoulder charge decision
By Peter Hanson
Michael Cheika was unable to hide his displeasure that Australia were denied a penalty try for an apparent shoulder charge by Owen Farrell in Saturday's 37-18 defeat to England.
England earned a record sixth straight win over the Wallabies thanks to tries from Jonny May, Elliot Daly, Joe Cokanasiga and Farrell.
But Australia were in the ascendancy as the first half came to an end and were harshly not awarded the penalty try when Farrell seemed to unfairly challenge powerful lock Izack Rodda just shy of the try line.
That denied Australia the chance to lead at the break and Cheika says the incident was more blatant than Farrell's last-gasp shoulder charge on Andre Esterhuizen in England's contentious opening November international win over South Africa.
"Look, you can't definitively say that [the game changed at that moment] can you?" He told Sky Sports.
"But we had three disallowed tries because I'm counting that as one, and not even one referral back?
"Maybe we have to move Australia to the northern hemisphere, because after [Farrell's] shoulder charge [against South Africa] we went to a meeting with the referees and the refs categorically told us it's a penalty, so if that's a penalty then that's three penalties.
"To say he [Rodda] also dropped his shoulder is ludicrous."
Opposite number Eddie Jones was asked for his view, with the England coach jokingly replying: "The TMO is the most popular man in World Rugby! We'll leave it at that."
Cheika, though, conceded his side were soundly beaten.
"We needed to attack more, we gave too much ball away by kicking," he said.
"Maybe to try and get some field position, but let's just get on and play some footie."
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Latest Comments
If Razor picked jaded players, where is the role of a squad? Where is the anticipated innovation from this group? The season has been a big disappointment considering the talent available (but left sitting on the sideline). Was ready for a fresh approach after the frustration of the Foster era but we only got more of the same and a timid coaching group.
Go to commentsWatching the game now I get a sense of things to come. Ref puts his flag up when Patricks legs go over the line ages after he has released the ball. That is not out in touch.
Then Tele'a has a brain fade and tries to jump into touch, slapping the ball back, when he should know and be trained in running from outside touch and jumping into the field of play with it. If he had of done that simple fix of altering his approach angle there's noway anyone is getting to him to stop the try.
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