Brian Moore demands harsh punishment for Argentina after ugly Angus Gardner incident
Rugby NewsMonday, 20 July 2026 at 14:48
Brian Moore has called on World Rugby to issue meaningful sanctions against Argentina if allegations surrounding the treatment of referee Angus Gardner are upheld.
Writing in his Telegraph column, Moore praised England's resilience in hostile conditions but warned that the events following the final whistle crossed a line that rugby cannot afford to ignore.
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Moore: "Players should never be allowed to lay a hand on officials"
Moore's strongest criticism centred on the alleged abuse directed at Australian referee Angus Gardner after he ruled out Argentina's last-gasp try following a TMO review.
Reports emerged that Gardner was subjected to abuse as he left the field, with footage appearing to show an object thrown in his direction while supporters shouted at the officials.
Moore also criticised Argentina fly-half Tomas Albornoz after he appeared to make contact with Gardner during the heated aftermath.
He wrote:
"World Rugby has a duty to fully investigate these reports and, if there is any truth to them, sanction Argentina in a meaningful way."
Moore added:
"Players should never be allowed to lay a hand on officials."
The former England international warned that failing to take strong action would only make it more difficult to recruit and retain referees.
"Rugby cannot afford to have its officials made vulnerable when they are doing their best to referee difficult games."
World Rugby urged not to ignore allegations
Moore believes the governing body now faces a major test.
"I have a feeling that World Rugby will want to make light of these claims but if it does so, it will further discourage people from wanting to participate in officiating and it will be abrogating its responsibilities."
He added that attracting match officials is already becoming increasingly difficult and protecting referees must become a priority.
England praised despite discipline concerns
Away from the controversy, Moore insisted England deserved significant credit for winning in one of rugby's toughest environments.
He described Argentina as a notoriously difficult place to tour and argued England would have secured an even more convincing victory had they avoided repeated disciplinary lapses.
Moore wrote:
"Winning in Argentina is not easy, as even the best of sides have found out in recent years."
However, he also pointed to England's disciplinary record, noting Steve Borthwick's side have now collected 15 yellow cards and one red card in eight matches during 2026.
He argued that while England showed genuine progress, "any progress... is necessarily constrained by England's indiscipline."
Feyi-Waboso and England's forwards impress
Moore reserved special praise for several England players, highlighting the impact of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
"England can look at the perpetual threat offered by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso who looked unstoppable at times."
He also singled out Alex Coles, Ollie Chessum and George Martin, writing that:
"Their work in the tight and loose phases of the game was exemplary, as were their tackle counts."
Argentina's Maradona-inspired kit questioned
Moore also questioned why Argentina were allowed to wear a shirt inspired by the nation's iconic 1986 football World Cup strip.
He described the decision as:
"A needless provocative gesture."
EDITORS PICKS:
England Nations Championship tournament ratings: Every player from best to worst
Using RUCK's player ratings from all three matches, we've ranked every England player from best to worst based on their average rating across the tournament.
Only players who received ratings in at least two matches have been included.
1. Fin Smith – 8.17
Ratings: South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 9 | Argentina 8
England's standout performer across the three Tests. Smith controlled games with maturity beyond his years, starred in the rout of Fiji and finished the tour with another composed display in Argentina. He has cemented himself as Steve Borthwick's first-choice fly-half.
2. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – 7.67
Ratings: South Africa 7 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 9
After two solid performances, Feyi-Waboso exploded into life against Argentina with one of the displays of the summer. Powerful carrying, excellent finishing and almost impossible to stop one-on-one.
3. Ben Earl – 7.67
Ratings: South Africa 8 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 8
England's best forward throughout the campaign. Earl carried relentlessly against the Springboks before scoring twice against Argentina to finish another outstanding international window.
SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA - JULY 18: Ben Earl of England runs with the ball while under pressure from Marcos Kremer of Argentina during the 2026 Nations Championship match between Argentina and England at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on July 18, 2026 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Nations Championship/Getty Images)
4. Jack van Poortvliet – 7.50
Ratings: South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 8
Quietly enjoyed an excellent series. His service improved with every game and he looked far more balanced in Argentina, despite picking up the first yellow card of his Test career.
5. Ellis Genge – 7.50
Ratings: South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 8 | Argentina 7
Led from the front all summer. Strong in the scrum, aggressive in the loose and one of England's most reliable senior players across the three Tests.
6. Marcus Smith – 7.17
Ratings: South Africa 7.5 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7
Played virtually everywhere in the backline during the tour. His versatility proved invaluable and he finished with tries against both Fiji and Argentina.
7. Joe Heyes – 7.00
Ratings: South Africa 6 | Fiji 8 | Argentina 7
Recovered brilliantly after a difficult afternoon against the Springboks. His scrummaging against Fiji was outstanding before another industrious display in Argentina.
SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA - JULY 18: Joe Heyes of England is tackled by Gonzalo Garcia of Argentina during the 2026 Nations Championship match between Argentina and England at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on July 18, 2026 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Nations Championship/Getty Images)
8. Jamie George – 6.83
Ratings: South Africa 6.5 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7
The captain produced exactly what England needed: dependable leadership, accurate lineout throwing and plenty of defensive work.
SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARGENTINA - JULY 18: Jamie George of England speaks to the media in a post match press interview after the 2026 Nations Championship match between Argentina and England at Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on July 18, 2026 in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. (Photo by Nations Championship/Getty Images)
9. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6.83
Ratings: South Africa 6 | Fiji 7.5 | Argentina 7
Made a big impact from the bench against Fiji, scoring quickly after coming on, before backing it up with another energetic display in Argentina.
10. Seb Atkinson – 6.67
Ratings: South Africa 6 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7
Grew into the tour nicely. Improved defensively after South Africa and looked increasingly comfortable at Test level.
11. Henry Slade – 6.67
Ratings: South Africa 6 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7
A much stronger finish than start. Slade's experience proved valuable in Argentina, including the superb tackle that denied Bautista Delguy at the death.
12. Ollie Chessum – 6.67
Ratings: South Africa 6 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7
Not quite at his destructive best but still delivered two solid performances after the opening defeat.
13. Alex Coles – 6.50
Ratings: South Africa 6.5 | Fiji 5 | Argentina 8
His Argentina performance rescued his average. Coles was immense defensively, finishing with a remarkable tackle count after a quieter display against Fiji.
14. George Martin – 6.33
Ratings: South Africa 7 | Fiji 5 | Argentina 7
Started the tour strongly, dipped against Fiji and bounced back well in Argentina with another physical display.
15. Guy Pepper – 6.33
Ratings: South Africa 5 | Fiji 7 | Argentina 7
Recovered impressively after a difficult debut against South Africa. His work-rate and tackling stood out during England's final two victories.
16. Tom Curry – 6.33
Ratings: South Africa 7 | Fiji 6 | Argentina 6
Limited minutes prevented Curry from climbing higher, but he remained his typically reliable self whenever called upon.
17. Asher Opoku-Fordjour – 6.25
Ratings: South Africa 6.5 | Fiji 6
The young prop handled himself well in his opportunities before concussion ruled him out of the Argentina Test.
18. Henry Pollock – 6.17
Ratings: South Africa 5 | Fiji 8.5 | Argentina 5
The definition of a rollercoaster tour. Pollock followed a quiet debut with a hat-trick against Fiji before disciplinary problems overshadowed his performance in Argentina.
19. Tommy Freeman – 6.00
Ratings: South Africa 5 | Fiji 6 | Argentina 7
Finished the summer strongly after a difficult opening two matches. His early try in Argentina was reward for another tireless performance.
20. George Kloska – 6.00
Ratings: Fiji 6 | Argentina 6
Two solid cameos from the Leicester Tigers prop. Nothing spectacular, but equally very little went wrong whenever he entered the game.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Argentina star facing lengthy ban after heated clash with Angus Gardner at full-time
- Nations Championship team of the week: Round 3
- New footage shows the disgraceful abuse Angus Gardner received after full-time
- Argentina fans demand replay after last-minute try is ‘criminally’ disallowed against England
- Henry Pollock at centre of drama as Argentina head coach storms out over England celebrations
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