Advertisement

Wallabies caught in illegal move during shock loss to Fiji at Rugby World Cup

The Wallabies hooker has caused a stir with rival fans pointing out the incident.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read
Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki throwing the ball in for a lineout.
Rugby union fans have called out Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki (pictured) after he appeared to push the rules at the lineout during Australia's loss to Fiji. (Images: Twitter)

Rival rugby union fans have hit out in frustration after Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki appeared to be standing well inside the touchline for his lineout throw in Australia's World Cup loss to Fiji. The Wallabies' World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after Fiji produced one of their best ever performances to defeat Australia 22-15.

Eddie Jones came under fire for the performance with the Wallabies only winning one of the seven games since he has taken charge. However, amid all the drama, rugby fans have noticed a bizarre tactic hooker Porecki got away with during the Fiji clash.

QUESTION: Why is Hooper in a TV studio instead of with the Wallabies?

'TRAVESTY': Fans in uproar over anthem farce at World Cup

In the first half, Porecki was lining-up for a lineout and appeared to be standing well in front of the touchline. This is despite the touch judge having a perfect view right behind him.

Rugby Union law 18.22 reads: "The player throwing in the ball stands on the mark of touch with both feet outside the field of play. The thrower must not step into the field of play until the ball has been thrown."

The touchline is out in rugby union. And there appeared to be a gap between Porecki's boot and the touchline, which showed he was standing well within the field of play.

And while many hookers may attempt some gamesmanship to give their team an advantage, rugby union fans became perplexed to how Porecki was not being pulled up. Referees in rugby union, whether viewed as a good or bad move, strenuously enforce the laws of the international game.

Dave Porecki sings the national anthem.
Dave Porecki (pictured left) captained the Wallabies against Fiji. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

And rival fans couldn't believe this specific case was going unnoticed from the referee and touch judge against Fiji. Rugby World Cup viewers called for hookers to be held accountable moving forward with fans claiming plenty of nations appear to push the boundaries when it comes to lineouts.

Eddie Jones under fire after Wallabies loss

The Wallabies were at their best in the lineouts against Fiji with the Pacific Island nation dominating the breakdown, which cost Australia the game. Australia were outplayed and lacked punch through the middle after losing captain Will Skelton (calf) and spearhead prop Taniela Tupou (hamstring) through injury.

Coach Jones was left frustrated after the match with Australia facing the possibility of failing to qualify for the knockout stages of a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history. "Thoroughly deserved victory for Fiji, they outplayed us," Jones said in his post-match interview.

Jones admitted Australia were a 'poor version' of themselves and the team needed to do some 'soul-searching' ahead of two must-win clashes. "When you're not on the front foot it's quite easy to give away penalties," Jones said. "So I'm not worried about our discipline, I'm worried about not getting on the front foot because if you can't you're battling."

Jones was jeered when shown on the big screen during an interview with Australian fans less than impressed with the team's direction since he took over. The Wallabies are now third in their pool after two games, with Wales in first on 10 points, Fiji second on six and Australia also on six.

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.