I have been wondering where Craig Joubert had gone since the 2015 Rugby World Cup controversy that saw him run from the field after the quarter-final between the Wallabies and Scotland.
Well, I found him.
I’m happy to say he has popped up in Dubai at the first round of the World Sevens series. I have no idea where he went, but I would have run and hid until the heat subsided too.
The northern hemisphere media was particularly scathing of his performance, as was his employer, World Rugby. No one could blame him for hiding away for a while.
I posted my opinion of the poor treatment he received from World Rugby here on The Roar.
They threw him out with the bath water when we all know how hard it is to referee under the immense pressure of the international stage. It was a strange move from World Rugby given that it’s hard to attract people to the refereeing ranks. It didn’t set the best example of the support officials need.
Whether or not Joubert’s call against Scotland was right or wrong – much of the analysis points to the latter – his subsequent treatment was the only negative moment of an otherwise amazing tournament.
Previously I have been critical of Joubert’s style and rigid letter of the law officiating. However since the World Cup, and thinking much more on it, I have become more understanding towards our friends with the whistle.
So where has Joubert been?
He hadn’t shown up refereeing in any of the European competitions in Ireland, England or France. That is not that unusual for southern hemisphere referees, however.
Listening closely to the grape vine as always, the mail was he would be refereeing matches at the Six Nations next year. This would make sense, particularly since he is one of top referees in the game. It had also been mentioned that since the World Cup he might not referee that tournament for fear of northern hemisphere wrath. We will wait and see.
There have been no international rugby Tests since the World Cup so the best guess is he was enjoying a well-earned holiday. What better place to end your holiday than in Dubai during the first round of the World Sevens Series.
Officiating his 107th Rugby Sevens match, Joubert controlled his first match in his typical style. It’s very obvious when Sevens rugby is over-officiated as it exists to allow free running rugby. There was no such thing going on in this game.
The most interesting note of Joubert’s re-emergence on the public scene was the team he would be officiating. The humour of random allocation was obviously at play with Scotland running out onto the field. The 15-a-side and seven-a-side squads are mostly made up of different players but the collective hearts of Scotland had been attacked by Joubert at the World Cup.
A tight and even affair ensued much like most good Sevens rugby I’ve seen. The game came right down to the last play where Scotland received a short-arm penalty at a scrum after full-time in Russia’s half.
Some scrambled cut-out passes and sideways and backwards running eventually ended in a wide pass and a winning try – not really to the letter of the previous match Joubert officiated for Scotland.
I’m happy Joubert is back on the wagon refereeing international rugby, even if it is at the sport’s little brother. Sevens may well be the best place to keep the heat off and take advantage of the next possibility for Joubert and for international rugby.
The coming year is one of change and growth for rugby. They say things happen for a reason. Maybe a gold medal final match at the Rio Olympic Games was Joubert’s goal all along?
Scotland got up against Russia 17-14.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Contributions from yes men are accepted. Critiques from skilled observers are not
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Owens was near perfect. It was Australia who had a bad game.
Fill O'dd
Guest
If the situation was reversed we would have been Philthy that we let in 5 tries and had 2 others disallowed. We wouldn't have been overly concerned given other decisions had favoured us but just annoyed at the poor performance. Thankfully we weren't Scotland and, despite an average performance we were to strong for the Scots at their best.
Phil O'Donovan
Guest
Not much of a medium if the only if the only opinions you wish to hear as those that are in agreement with yours.
Ken Cathpole's Other Leg
Guest
T'man and Jokeman - you won the cup. Can you guys have a Christmas break or something from your amateur roles as Aussie-Correctors?. ,It is astounding how much energy you can find to 'set Aussies right' about referees, and that ONE decision in particular. NZ has never had any 'luck' with a ref?!? Please editors.... isn't there something you can do about this agenda driven prejudice? The Roar is meant to be an opinion site for the exchange of ideas, not a platform for repetitive baiting by a few regular spoilers.
Phil O'Donovan
Guest
There is no doubt that Joubert made the wrong decision.This article,the Australian coach and indeed the majority of the Australian press were and still are tragically santimonious over the whole issue.If the situation was reverse you would be still screaming about the glaring injustice of the decision.
taylorman
Guest
...I guess for some the decision being correct or not is based on whatever makes them sleep better... :-)
Zero Gain
Guest
Yes, exactly, the decision was correct and WR were wrong.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well there's that as well. The thinking around the issue became blurred for some, depending on your preferred outcome.
Shop
Guest
"Some just need to harden up I say. It happened. Get over it" Exactly, but this comment should be directed at the Gavin Hasting's of the world, not CJ defenders. "people like me" if you think I'm one of a few that thinks CJ was "hung out to dry" (a term I actually didn't use) you should read some of the other comments. Meanwhile, try picking up a whistle, it will give you a much better perspective from CJ's point of view.
Jokerman
Guest
The issue, TM is Jouberts blunder got Australia through to the semi. Simply they didn't deserve to be in the semi. That is a little hard to take for them, so they take the stance, on this ocassion that you can never dis a ref. In a way to protect themselves from the truth. But then they get clearly beaten by the All Blacks in the final. Who's fault then? The ref. Arh yes just how the ego runs...the All Blacks were awesome though eh?!
Jokerman
Guest
You got to love the authers new love for refs...nothing to do with Jouberts blunder getting you into the semi?
taylorman
Roar Guru
It is people like you that are making the connection between The ruling body's comment on the ruling and 'hanging Joubert out to try'. It made a ruling because serious questions were asked. The ruling and comment found that Joubert made an incorrect decision in terms of his application of the rules, and the matter highlight the flaw in Refs not being able to make correct decisions if they don't have all the information, in this case, the replays. That is what happened. Your interpretation of 'hanging him out to dry' is yours, it's not mine. Players make mistakes and they also get criticised by the ruling body...they are called tribunals. Are they also hanging them out to dry? No, their making a ruling on a players action or decision. By doing this some good may come out of it, I.e. Something might be done to avoid putting Joubert in that position again. Those who think this is a decision like any other are dreaming. It was one that in the specific circumstances and time in the match demanded a comment. Some just need to harden up I say. It happened. Get over it.
puff
Guest
The handling of the Craig Joubert incident by bureaucratic authorities is a sad reflection of the old school tie syndrome. Ref’s, make decisions in real time, millisecond and as in this case using the concurrence of the linesman. They don’t always have the luxury of countless replays and if that were true, he may have viewed the play differently. We all recognize the fact Scotland’s opportunity fell on ill fate; remember most sports have an element of good fortune and chance. The Scots had both but lacked experience at the critical moment. The most disturbing issue was the slow response by authorities and the demoralizing rhetoric they used. This, allowed an unwarranted media assault by NH journalistic experts and armchair purists, whose comments were extremely unprofessional. In my opinion there are only about five foremost ref’s blowing whistles and CJ is one. Of equal importance there are only a few NH ref’s who can read a game style and allow the play to flow accordingly. We all enjoy watching, motivated, highly skilled participants, with athletic ability but some N/of the equator ref’s failed to deliver that sort of spectacle. Joubert made mistakes, particularly after the match but the controversy and character assassination was poorly handled and addressed. His return is a blessing and displays his strength of temperament and desire to move forward. May he continue to adjudicate at the highest level?
cuw
Guest
so what ur basically saying is the IRB comment that Joubert was wrong is wrong ?? :) go watch the match again if u will. there was a previous incident where the same thing happened (if i recall correct it was the scotland fly half who played the ball) and it was deemed accidental offside. no one said that decision shud have been a penalty for OZ !!!
Brisbans Boys
Guest
I agree with all of you points and I am a scottish supporter and Gavin Hastings was my favourite scottish player growing up. I don't think Owens had a great game in the RWC cup final but I have moved on so should any supporter of the game.
Shop
Guest
TM, I asked you before if you've ever reffed and didn't get a response. I assume not. It doesn't matter how much reaction a particular decision gets, WR should stand by it's officials. If you feel this was the only important decision to have impacted a game during the WC then perhaps you should ask what the Samoans thought about the missed knock on before Scotland scored their last try...? Also, every decision DOES impact the result!
Scrum
Guest
Cuw--if fact Joubert was not inconsistent. If you read the Law Book there are 2 options for the Referee. If by playing the ball the offside player stops the opposition gaining possession the sanction is a Penalty Kick. This was the case as perceived by CJ in the controversial incident. The Referee will rule a scrum if the offside player has not prevented the opposition from gaining possession i.e. someone must be in close proximity to gain possession
taylorman
Guest
Not as important as that one. No other single decision directly impacted a match more than that one. It was a decision that got massive reaction and comment so World rugby clarified its position. What would be the point of commenting on a whole bunch of decisons that in themselves didnt obviously impact the result.
Darth Vadar
Guest
Very poor treatment of Joubert by World Rugby.