World Rugby admits Craig Joubert was WRONG to award Australia late penalty that sent Scotland crashing out of Rugby World Cup 

  • Scotland suffered a cruel Rugby World Cup quarter final defeat by Australia 
  • Referee Craig Joubert awarded the Wallabies a late controversial penalty that saw them win 35-34
  • Scotland repeatedly asked the official to consult the TMO, but rules prevented him from doing so
  • Bernard Foley converted the penalty to win the match and set up a semi-final clash with Argentina
  • Governing body World Rugby has admitted that the official was wrong to award the penalty
  • Joubert will not referee in either of the World cup semi finals 
  • Rugby World Cup 2015: See the latest RWC news, results and highlights

By Nik Simon for MailOnline

Published: 13:40 EST, 19 October 2015 | Updated: 05:21 EST, 20 October 2015

Referee Craig Joubert should not have awarded the late penalty that cost Scotland a famous quarter-final victory over Australia, admitted World Rugby.

Scotland lost 35-34 after Wallaby No 10 Bernard Foley scored the 79th-minute penalty, but a post-match review confirmed Joubert made the wrong decision in the closing stages at Twickenham.

Shortly after releasing their findings, rugby’s governing body revealed the 37-year-old will not be included in the match-official line-up for this weekend’s semi-finals. 

Referee Craig Joubert awards a late controversial penalty to to Australia, allowing them to snatch a last-gasp win against Scotland

Referee Craig Joubert awards a late controversial penalty to to Australia, allowing them to snatch a last-gasp win against Scotland

Joubert was implored by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw (9) to consult the Television Match Official after his decision

Joubert was implored by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw (9) to consult the Television Match Official after his decision

Joubert looked up at the screen, but rules prevented him from consulting his colleague for a penalty decision

Joubert looked up at the screen, but rules prevented him from consulting his colleague for a penalty decision

The heavily criticised official ran off the pitch after blowing the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final

The heavily criticised official ran off the pitch after blowing the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final

The review found that Joubert incorrectly judged Scottish prop Jon Welsh to be in an offside position when catching the ball, gifting Foley the result-defining kick at goal.

Australia scrum-half Nick Phipps had intentionally played the ball before Welsh caught it — a moment missed by Joubert — rendering the penalty decision incorrect.

World Rugby’s statement confirmed Welsh was onside and Joubert should have awarded only a scrum to Australia for an earlier knock-on by Scotland flanker John Hardie.

Joubert couldn't ask the Television Match Official (TMO) for a review, because referrals can only be sought when awarding a try or assessing acts of foul play.

The admission by the game's governing body that one of their most respected referees effectively cost Scotland a place in the semi-finals will provide scant consolation to Vern Cotter's men.

The Scots were magnificent as they fought back to establish a 34-32 lead in one of the World Cup's greatest knockout matches, only to be robbed of a famous victory by Joubert's pivotal late call that provoked a furious response from former players of all nationalities.  

WHAT THE RULES SAY: 

The TMO can be used only in the following circumstances:

  • Determining the grounding of the ball in-goal for a try or touchdown and/or whether players were in touch or touch in goal before grounding
  • Determining whether a kick at goal has been successful
  • Confirm if an infringement has occurred in the build-up to a try or prevention of a try (infringement must be within two phases of the try or touchdown)
  • Considering acts of possible foul play

World Rugby failed to explain why Joubert sprinted down the tunnel after blowing the final whistle, but it is understood that the official wanted to avoid any heated discussions on the pitch with devastated Scottish players.

The refereeing appointments for this weekend's semi-finals  has been announced and Joubert is unsurprisingly not one of the two officials chosen.

World Rugby's statement explained the sequence of events that denied Scotland a last four appointment with Argentina at Twickenham on Sunday.

'The selection committee confirms that Joubert applied World Rugby Law 11.7 penalising Scotland's Jon Welsh, who had played the ball following a knock-on by a team-mate, resulting in an offside,' the statement read.

'On review of all available angles, it is clear that after the knock-on, the ball was touched by Australia's Nick Phipps and Law 11.3(c) states that a player can be put on-side by an opponent who intentionally plays the ball.

'It is important to clarify that, under the protocols, the referee could not refer to the television match official in this case and therefore had to rely on what he saw in real time.

'In this case, Law 11.3(c) should have been applied, putting Welsh onside. The appropriate decision, therefore, should have been a scrum to Australia for the original knock-on.

'Overall, it is widely recognised that the standard of officiating at Rugby World Cup 2015 has been very high across 44 compelling and competitive matches to date.' 

The penalty came from a Scottish knock-on, but there was a question over whether an Australian then played it

The penalty came from a Scottish knock-on, but there was a question over whether an Australian then played it

With just a minute remaining the ball was knocked forward via an Australian arm with Joubert perfectly positioned to view the incident

With just a minute remaining the ball was knocked forward via an Australian arm with Joubert perfectly positioned to view the incident

Australia's Bernard Foley (right) converted the subsequent penalty in the 79th minute to win the game by one point

Australia's Bernard Foley (right) converted the subsequent penalty in the 79th minute to win the game by one point

Scotland captain Laidlaw (centre) leaves the field after his side is eliminated from the Rugby World Cup

Scotland captain Laidlaw (centre) leaves the field after his side is eliminated from the Rugby World Cup

Scotland were left devastated at the final whistle, having led going into the final minute of the last-eight clash

Scotland were left devastated at the final whistle, having led going into the final minute of the last-eight clash

WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL REFEREES 

South Africa vs New Zealand – Jerome Garces

Argentina vs Australia – Wayne Barnes

Scotland great Gavin Hastings viewed Joubert's action in dashing off as 'despicable', former captain Andy Nicol branded the South African a 'coward' and retired England scrum-half Matt Dawson tweeted 'Craig Joubert you are a disgrace and should never referee again!!'

However, a groundswell of support was building for Joubert led by former South Africa captain Bob Skinstad.

'I know Craig very well. He has a man of unquestionable integrity and is a fantastic referee,' Skinstad said.

'Craig is a very tough guy and a good guy. His background is a lot more complex than people realise.

'His father Des was an outstanding referee and made a decision from a young age to take up refereeing full time. He made such an impact on so many schoolkids' lives and he was bit of a legend in the Kwazule-Natal area.

'Des passed away from cancer and Craig has dedicated his refereeing career to the memory of his father.

'Craig is a quality individual and all the stuff around the decision has been blown out of all proportion.

'I'd feel really sad if any of this has got to him as a person given he has given so much to the game.' 

It was a cruel defeat for Scotland, who put up a terrific fight despite being heavy underdogs in the match at Twickenham

It was a cruel defeat for Scotland, who put up a terrific fight despite being heavy underdogs in the match at Twickenham

Joubert also previously gave Sean Maitland 10 minutes in the sin bin despite Laidlaw's protests after consulting with the TMO

Joubert also previously gave Sean Maitland 10 minutes in the sin bin despite Laidlaw's protests after consulting with the TMO

Australia coach Michael Cheika (right), pictured celebrating with Stephen Moore, has leapt to the defence of Joubert

Australia coach Michael Cheika (right), pictured celebrating with Stephen Moore, has leapt to the defence of Joubert

Australia coach Michael Cheika also came to the defence of the beleaguered Joubert.

'No one's congratulating Joubert for picking up the tiniest knock-on before we scored the try in the corner and going back to the TMO. Some decisions you'll get and some decisions you won't,' Cheika said.

'Someone threw a bottle at him when he was leaving, didn't they? I'd be racing off too if I saw a bottle coming. I don't think anything of him going off quickly.

'I don't like the way that people are making something out of the way he ran off the field.'

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