It came after one of the most contentious moments of the year and caused a real stir
09:53, 08 Nov 2025
Wales captain Jac Morgan(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Carlo Tizzano has spoken publicly for the first time about the moment Wales captain Jac Morgan sought him out after one of the most controversial flashpoints of the Lions series, describing the kind gesture as one he will never forget.
The Wallabies flanker was thrust into the spotlight after being cleaned out at a ruck by Morgan during the second Test in Melbourne, a collision he says left him with nerve pain in his neck and forced him off the field. The Wallabies were leading at the time, and the incident came just moments before the Lions scored the decisive try to seal the match and ultimately the series.
What followed was a wave of online abuse and criticism from some pundits, who accused Tizzano of exaggerating the impact in an attempt to win a penalty.
Former England forward James Haskell even claimed Tizzano should have been punished for “diving”, while others took to social media to mock the back-rower.
Explaining his version of events, Tizzano told the Sydney Morning Herald: “Obviously, it was contact to the back of my head or neck. I wasn’t necessarily super balanced and Jac’s a tough dude, he’s a powerful athlete. Having nerve damage in my neck previously, it’s like boiling water getting poured through from your neck all the way down your trap and your arm.”
The match-defining incident involving Jac Morgan (Image: CBS Sports )
He says he held his head because of the nerve shock, not to influence the officials.
“I can’t change the past,” he said. “Move on, it’s water under the bridge. Honestly, I haven’t even thought about it since that week, and it’s all gone now.”
For Tizzano, the criticism hit harder when it came from those who had once played the game at the highest level. “I thought maybe those guys who played previously, the pundits, would be a bit more considerate,” he added.
“Because they’ve been there, done it. Spectators haven’t done it. They haven’t played Test rugby.”
Carlo Tizzano of the Wallabies receives medical attention(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
But while some rushed to judge him, Morgan’s reaction could not have been more different. Tizzano was ruled out of the third Test and watched on from the sidelines as the series concluded.
After the final whistle, Morgan made a point of finding him.
“Full credit to Jac Morgan,” Tizzano said. “After the third Test, he came up to me straight away and actually spoke to me. He said, ‘Mate, I hope you’re good. I thought you had an awesome tour and you’re a great player.’
“I really appreciated him. He didn’t have to do that. But he’s the No.7, he gets it. He gets the weekly grind of what you have to put your body through, even just when you’re training. If anyone knows how hard it is to back up every week, it’s other sevens!”
He also stressed that he harbours no resentment towards Morgan for the clear-out itself. “Jac’s a tough dude. He plays hard. I would have done the same in that situation. I genuinely have no issue with it.”
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