Poor old Craig Joubert, when it rains it really pours.

World Rugby (that would be the game’s governing body) has really hung him out to dry with their latest announcement, confirming the suspicions of millions of Scots when they declared Joubert was incorrect in awarding THAT final penalty.

Scotland were leading 34-32 with two minutes to play when Joubert awarded Australia the controversial game decider. Here’s BBC:

The governing body said that, because Australia’s Nick Phipps touched the ball, “the appropriate decision should have been a scrum to Australia for the original knock-on”…

The statement added that South African Joubert “could not refer to the television match official (TMO) in this case and therefore had to rely on what he saw in real time”…

World Rugby regulations only permit the TMO to rule on foul play or whether tries or kicks at goal are legitimate.

Well at least they supported him in the decision not to head up to the TMO, something that referees have been far too eager to do throughout the tournament.

Joubert also drew criticism after he sprinted off the field after blowing the final whistle, not hanging around to shake hands with the players. Some joked he might have needed the toilet, some said he had a bottle thrown in his direction and others just took the piss…

For full effect please be sure to read that above tweet in character.

Joubert will not ref either of the semi-finals and you have to think he might be taking a little time away from the game until the furore dies down. That being said, after sticking in the knife World Rugby did soften the blow just a little with a disclaimer at the end:

World Rugby high performance match official manager Joel Jutge said: “Despite this experience, Craig has been and remains a world-class referee and an important member of our team.”

One has to feel the whole thing is over the top, Joubert having had a long and successful career that includes a World Cup final. Perhaps more should be made of Ozzie Nick Phipps’ insistence that his team should have the penalty, despite obviously being aware that he laid hands on the ball.

Either way it can’t be fun being Craig Joubert right about now. Perhaps he can take some tips from Bryce Lawrence on how to deal with the wrath of a nation, Bryce having handed the 2011 quarter-final to the Ozzies as South Africa raged.

[source:bbc]