A frustrated Michael Cheika has demanded a meeting with World Rugby referees boss Alain Rolland after watching the Wallabies' grand slam dream shattered by a three‑point loss to Ireland in Dublin.
The Wallabies went down 27‑24 in a thrilling contest at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night, but Cheika was furious at the lopsided penalty count which finished 13‑3 in the home side's favour.
Despite copping the worst of the French referee Jerome Garces' whistle, Australia mounted a stirring second‑half comeback to recover from trailing 17‑0 in the 39th minute to owning the lead 18 minutes later.
Australia scored three straight tries to hold an unlikely lead with 20 minutes remaining ‑ before Ireland's Keith Earls scored the match‑winning try in the 66th minute and the home side defended grimly for the win.
But Cheika remained aggrieved at the refereeing performance and insisted it had taken too much out of his side.
Cheika made it clear he would be taking his concerns through the official channels before this week's season‑ending Test against England at Twickenham.
The Wallabies were unimpressed with Ireland's second try, where centre Garry Ringrose split the defence and was rewarded with a five‑pointer despite hints of obstruction.
Source: Radio NZ
