Joubert under the microscope

CEO Brett Gosper says World Rugby could communicate certain facts of its findings after a review of Craig Joubert’s quarter-final performance.

The South African referee has come under fire after awarding a controversial penalty that enabled flyhalf Bernard Foley to secure a one-point win for the Wallabies over Scotland at Twickenham.

On Monday, World Rugby issued a statement to clarify the role of the TMO at the World Cup, effectively outlining that Joubert could not have referred the decision to the television official as per the protocol set out.

However, as is the case after every match, Gosper said a full review of the match official’s performance would be conducted, and in light of the controversy around Joubert’s penalty decision, World Rugby may well publicise aspects of that review.

‘The match officials are assessed by a match assessor, by each team and Joel Jutge, the head of our match officials. We have not had that report back so I can't comment on the specifics of that situation at the moment. Hopefully some time today [Monday] we will have a little more fact and will communicate that.’

Joubert also courted angered by running from the field immediately after the final whistle, and Gosper said they’d seek clarity on that matter.

‘The referee has not explained to me why he did that. Craig is one of our top referees, a good man and he will have had his reasons. We don't know what was in his head. We are in the process of working that through.’

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