Referee Craig Joubert’s World Cup mistake lingers

I first met Craig Joubert when he started refereeing Currie Cup matches in 2003 and I was working on SABC Sport’s rugby coverage. The SABC had to take whichever Currie Cup game SuperSport didn’t want to broadcast, and it was usually the Falcons versus whoever. For such a lowly game, a junior referee would be appointed to officiate, and it was usually a toss-up between James Sherriff and Craig Joubert. Sherriff always said Joubert was the better referee because he had a better temperament. He grew in stature over the years, culminating in refereeing the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. He developed a reputation for being one of the friendliest, most knowledgeable, amenable, approachable referees in the business. But sadly he will always be remembered for a controversial penalty in the dying minutes of last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final which allowed Australia to beat a gallant Scotland side. What is not remembered is that Scotland’s coach Vern Cotter phoned Joubert days after the game to say he understood the difficulties Joubert faced in those dramatic moments. What is also not remembered is that Scotland’s captain Greig Laidlaw had drinks with him during the Six Nations tournament. The Scotland players have forgiven the mistake. It’s about time the fans and the media did as well. – David O’Sullivan

From Sport24

Cape Town – More than eight months have passed, but South African referee Craig Joubert is still being made to discuss his role in last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Australia and Scotland.

Australia won the match 35-34 thanks to last minute Bernard Foley penalty that had come in controversial fashion.

Rugby Union - Australia v Scotland - IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 Quarter Final - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 18/10/15 Scotland's Greig Laidlaw shouts at referee Craig Joubert after he awarded a penalty to Australia in the last minute of the game Reuters / Eddie Keogh
Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw shouts at referee Craig Joubert after he awarded a penalty to Australia in the last minute of the game. Reuters / Eddie Keogh

After the ball had bounced of Scotland forward Josh Strauss’s shoulder it was gathered by another Scottish player and Joubert ruled a deliberate offside, giving Australia and Foley a chance to win the match with a shot at goal.

But replays later revealed that the ball had brushed an Australian hand after Strauss had knocked it forward, and the correct decision should have been a scrum.

Joubert famously ran off the pitch at the final whistle to a chorus of Scottish boos.

Now, in a video posted on World Rugby’s Youtube channel, Joubert has opened up on the decision.

“In so many ways it was a great advertisement for our game,” Joubert said of the eight-try thriller at Twickenham.

“Unfortunately I get that to many it will only be remembered for one moment.

“In real-time it seemed like a clear-cut decision.

“It’s only much later that evening when I’m able to actually sit and review the incident and I have the benefit of slow motion replays … from different angles that I can see the slightest of touches from (Nick) Phipps of Australia.”

Joubert added that referring the decision to the TMO was not an option.

 

“I simply wasn’t entitled to refer it to the TMO. This incident fell outside of what TMO protocol allowed us to refer,” he said.

“It was simply a decision that I had to make in real-time.

“This led to this moment obviously being a very difficult moment for me and the fallout from this moment made for a very difficult time in my career.”

Joubert did not referee again at the tournament. – Sport24

Source: http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/craig-joubert-on-that-rwc-penalty-20160628

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