The Wallabies have filed an official complaint to World Rugby’s integrity unit over a meeting between All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and referee Romain Poite, held on the eve of the second Bledisloe Cup Test without Australian knowledge or invitation.
It comes after coach Michael Cheika said he was left “bitterly disappointed” by Frenchman Poite’s control of Saturday night’s 29-9 defeat at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, ensuring the Bledisloe Cup would remain in New Zealand for a 14th consecutive year.
Cheika blasted Poite for “absolutely ignoring” approaches from Australian captain Stephen Moore to seek clarification on decisions, and said the referee failed to stop the game when David Pocock was down and needed a concussion test.