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'We can’t argue with the ref' | Eddie Jones addresses controversial calls following Wales loss

Eddie Jones refused to be brought into an argument over refereeing decisions following their loss...



Eddie Jones refused to be brought into an argument over refereeing decisions following their loss to Wales in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday evening. 

Wayne Pivac's side beat the reigning champions 40-24 in Cardiff to claim their 22nd Triple Crown.

The win also moves them up to the top of the championship's table and a Grand Slam for them now really looks on the cards.

Wales only had a three-point lead at half-time.

They went in at the break 17-14 up thanks to tries from Josh Adams and Liam Williams.

The first try came in the 17th minute. The scores were level at 3-3 after Dan Biggar and Owen Farrell had exchanged early penalties when Wales were awarded another penalty inside the England 22.

Farrell had conceded that penalty and asked referee Pascal Gauzere for time to talk to his players, who he gathered in a huddle under the posts.

Referee Pascal Gaüzère blew for time off and as soon as he restarted play, Biggar kicked cross-field and Josh Adams gathered the ball to score.

Farrell approached Gaüzère as soon as Adams had touched down to appeal the decision to award the try, to which the referee replied “I allowed you time to give the message and after that it was play on.”

Then after half-an-hour there was another controversial call as the TMO ruled what looked like a knock-on in the build-up to Williams' try to be legal.

Welsh tries came from scrum-halves Kieran Hardy and Ben Youngs in the second-half and Penalties from Owen Farrell kept them alive and it was 24-all heading into the final quarter.

Welsh fly-half Callum Sheedy then landed three kicks, before Cory Hill finished things off with a late try as Wales secured a bonus point.

England head coach Eddie Jones was gracious when asked about the call for the first try when speaking to BBC Sport at full-time.

“It is what it is, we can’t argue with the ref.

"They were tough calls but we’ve got to be better to get over that and we weren’t good enough on the day.

"Wales were worthy winners, and  [I] was really pleased we brought it to 24-all but this was a difficult game and we have to adapt better to the referees and other disruptions.”

Naturally, Wayne Pivac was in better form after the game, with his side looking like they can not only win the championship but do so unbeaten.

“Pretty happy with the bonus point try and the end and I’m really pleased for the players.

"Luck was on our side, but you have to put yourself in the position to take advantage of what comes your way.

"Time together has made us better than the Autumn, hopefully, we can continue and press on further.”

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Cardiff Eddie Jones England Guinness Six Nations Wales