Tue 28 Jun 2016 | 04:22
Craig Joubert breaks silence on THAT decision against Scotland in the 2015 World Cup

6
Comments

Referee Craig Joubert has spoken about the infamous decision that effectively cost Scotland a place in the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi finals, saying that he made an honest mistake, but under protocol he had no way of referring to the TMO for help.

It was heartbreaking to watch at the time, even for neutrals, as Joubert made a crucial penalty decision in very tricky conditions, without the help of the 'available' technology.

It meant that Australia had a chance of taking the lead in the match and advancing to the semi final, which they did via a successful Bernard Foley kick.

As the Wallabies celebrated the dramatic 35-34 victory at the final whistle, Joubert made matters worse as he ran from the field, engraging Scottish players and fans. That led to an investigation.

In April of this year Joubert spoke to the Telegraph to explain his reasoning, stating that he wanted to avoid any possible ugly confrontation on the field, in full view of the public.

Despite the protocols that prevented him from checking with the TMO being theirs, World Rugby took the quite unprecedented step of publicly stating that Joubert got the decision wrong.

Now eight months after that extremely unfortunate night, Joubert is still being asked about it, this time by the same people that hung him out to dry post match, his employers.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup final referee - another story altogether - has now opened up, saying that the entire incident led to a 'very difficult time in my career'.

It will be scant consolation for Scottish fans though, who will never forget what could have been a famous day in their history. Instead, what was actually a classic knockout match, was remembered for it's unsavoury ending. Hit play below to see what Joubert had to say about it.

6 Comments

  • drg
    4:16 PM 30/06/2016

    As mentioned above, I know this video is about that incident, but I think most people are shocked at how Joubert high tailed it.....

  • benny
    1:30 PM 30/06/2016

    I guess everyone has a ref that burned them at the world cup. The saffers have BL, we NZers have WB and the Samoans have Peyper who didn't review the knock-on two seconds before the match-winning try that the Scots scored to get to the QF that Joubert reffed

  • drg
    11:04 PM 28/06/2016

    To add though, if he did need a wee then fair enough, but you'd imagine he'd in someways have returned, or quickly told a captain "Sorry lads, I'll be back, I'm bursting for a piss"

  • drg
    11:01 PM 28/06/2016

    That's exactly my thoughts, I don't think a lot of people give a hoot about the decision itself - I mean granted there are probably a lot of upset Scots, but I'm sure even the least rational Scotsman could accept that Joubert cannot use the TMO and that it wasn't possible for him to review the decision, quick bit of action etc etc. Joubert; as you said, can be forgiven for the decision - referees make numerous 'wrong' decisions during games and the reality is, that is the nature of the game that we love.

    But as you said, him running off the pitch is actually what I remember the game for, not the decision itself...

  • canafrikaaner
    9:00 PM 28/06/2016

    He can come ref in Canadian third div! We are very open minded

  • welshosprey
    6:49 PM 28/06/2016

    Can't blame him for the decision, it was so close to being 50/50. You can blame him for running off the pitch like a weasel though.