Scotland set for a Craig Joubert reunion in Dublin
ByThe Courier Reporter
Craig Joubert has been appointed assistant referee for Scotland’s final RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland in Dublin on March 19.
The South African infuriated the Scots when he awarded a last-minute penalty to Australia, which allowed the Wallabies to take the lead in their World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham.
The 38-year-old will return to Twickenham to take charge of England’s clash with Wales on March 12 in his only other Six Nations appointment.
World Rugby later admitted Joubert was wrong to award the decisive penalty, which Bernard Foley converted to seal a 35-34 victory.
The governing body confirmed that the award – which penalised a knock-on by Jon Welsh – should have in fact been a scrum for Australia because the ball was touched by Wallaby Nick Phipps.
Joubert further enraged Scotland by sprinting off the pitch without shaking hands as soon as he blew the full-time whistle.
Scotland great Gavin Hastings branded his actions “despicable” and former captain Andy Nicol called him a “coward”.
Scotland set for a Craig Joubert reunion in Dublin