World Cup storm over controversial Australia penalty

A last-minute Bernard Foley penalty completed the first ever Southern Hemisphere clean sweep of World Cup semi-final places and set off a storm of controversy as Australia headed off a Scotland upset. Television replays indicated referee Craig Joubert made a mistake in awarding the penalty that saw the Australians overtake for a 35-34 win on Sunday. The South African official sprinted off the field to boos and jeers from Scottish supporters at Twickenham after he blew the final whistle. But Australia celebrated setting up a semi-final against Argentina - who thrashed Ireland 43-20. New Zealand will play South Africa in the other semi-final next weekend after they beat France and Wales, respectively, on Saturday. With Scotland leading Australia 34-32 amid a rainstorm, Joubert hit trouble by ruling that Scottish replacement prop Jon Welsh had strayed offside. Australia scrum-half Nick Phipps appeared to touch the ball before Welsh was left in an offside position. Wallaby fly-half Foley expertly scored the winning points. Phipps later said he had deliberately attempted to win the loose ball which ought to have stopped a penalty from being awarded. Scotland rugby great Gavin Hastings - commentating on the match for television - led criticism of the referee. “If I see referee Craig Joubert again, I am going to tell him how disgusted I am. It was disgraceful that he ran straight off the pitch at the end like that,” Hastings said. Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson, a World Cup-winner in 2003, said on Twitter: “Craig Joubert you are a disgrace and should never referee again!! How dare you sprint off the pitch after that decision!!!” Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw questioned afterwards why Joubert had not called for replay assistance. But World Rugby said the television match official could only be called upon to rule on the build-up to scoring a try or an act of foul play. “It’s a penalty and that’s the way it works. You know they work both ways in all games and that’s life,” commented grateful Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. NAMPA/AFP