Before someone pings me for being pro/anti anyone, let me just say up front that Australia did deserve to win this game on the basis of clearly being more penetrative at scoring tries etc..., and it was a positive result for the semi-finals as I don't think Scotland would compete as effectively. However, Australia had themselves to blame being 32-34 down with 2 minutes left; and, from that position, Scotland got hung up to dry by a very bad refereeing decision.
I'd be rather surprised to see Craig Joubert refereeing another game in this World Cup. I felt his management of literally everything was abysmal. Scrums; award penalties based on whoever touches the ground first. Breakdown; allowing players to infringe off their feet for far too long, slow down the ball, etc... The 'deliberate knockdown' from Maitland? Did anyone else hear him talking to the TMO? He was potentially considering a penalty try (then talked himself out of it) ffs.
And then the bit that will be chewed over by most of us. THAT penalty. What the literal F guy? Take another look; its going to decide the game, and possibly the entire competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jx1I_tRXNU
This isn't the best footage, but there is clear evidence of Australian hands/shoulders/etc... on the ball before it lands in the Scottish hands.
Scotland, well tried. You were lucky to get that close, unlucky to have the chance taken away at the last minute (literally).
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Before someone pings me for being pro/anti anyone, let me just say up front that Australia did deserve to win this game on the basis of clearly being more penetrative at scoring tries etc..., and it was a positive result for the semi-finals as I don't think Scotland would compete as effectively. However, Australia had themselves to blame being 32-34 down with 2 minutes left; and, from that position, Scotland got hung up to dry by a very bad refereeing decision.
I'd be rather surprised to see Craig Joubert refereeing another game in this World Cup. I felt his management of literally everything was abysmal. Scrums; award penalties based on whoever touches the ground first. Breakdown; allowing players to infringe off their feet for far too long, slow down the ball, etc... The 'deliberate knockdown' from Maitland? Did anyone else hear him talking to the TMO? He was potentially considering a penalty try (then talked himself out of it) ffs.
And then the bit that will be chewed over by most of us. THAT penalty. What the literal F guy? Take another look; its going to decide the game, and possibly the entire competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jx1I_tRXNU
This isn't the best footage, but there is clear evidence of Australian hands/shoulders/etc... on the ball before it lands in the Scottish hands.
Scotland, well tried. You were lucky to get that close, unlucky to have the chance taken away at the last minute (literally).