Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has accepted a written warning from World Rugby, issuing an apology regarding his comments about the referee after their loss to Wales.
Rennie believed a number of decisions went against their way during the 29-28 defeat, calling out the match officials in the post-match broadcast and press conference.
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This drew the ire of World Rugby, who condemned the criticism in a statement.
"World Rugby can confirm that it has issued a written warning to Rugby Australia and Rugby Australia’s men’s 15s head coach Dave Rennie for comments made immediately after Australia’s final Autumn Nations Series match against Wales in Cardiff on 20 November," they said.
"Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game.
"World Rugby condemns any public criticism of their selection, performance or integrity which undermines or threatens their role, the trust-based coach-officials feedback process, and more importantly, the values that are at the heart of the sport and must be upheld.
"While the comments made by Rennie in the post-match broadcast and media conference environments immediately after the Wales game are clearly not aligned with these values, the prompt, proactive and meaningful apology by Rennie and Rugby Australia is welcomed."
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Rennie and Rugby Australia accepted the formal written warning, issuing an apology late Friday evening in conjunction with World Rugby's statement.
"Dave Rennie wishes to apologise to the match officials and to World Rugby for the choice of language used in post-match media commitments following the Wallabies Test match against Wales in Cardiff," they added.
"The choice of language and its timing did not meet the standards required from a coach or official in upholding Rugby’s core values of discipline, integrity and respect.
"Rugby Australia and Dave Rennie accept the formal warning issued by World Rugby.”
