Referee Craig Joubert fall-out: Why Scotland have only themselves to blame

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Greig Laidlaw of Scotland looks dejected after the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between Australia and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on October 18, 2015 in L

Scotland have themselves to blame - not errant referee Craig Joubert - for losing the dramatic Rugby World Cup quarterfinal to Australia this morning.

Joubert is copping it from many sides, including over his failure to use the video referee.

From my reading of what are clear rules around use of the video referee, he was correct in bypassing the man upstairs to make the match-deciding decision.

Scotland were the architects of their demise. Their use of a long throw for the final lineout, in heavy rain, was the first crucial mistake. Their failure to secure the ball cleanly was the second big error.

Yes, Joubert's offside penalty call against Scotland was harsh, and I would say wrong.

A screenshot of the incident looks to show the ball hitting Nick Phipps' arm. Photo / Sky Television

There is no clear evidence that Scotland knocked the ball forward to a player in an offside position, not enough for Joubert to let this incident give Australia a winning shot at goal.

Scottish legend Gavin Hastings is among those saying Joubert should have gone to the TMO. But the rules don't allow it.

The official World Cup guideline states the TMO can be used only in the following circumstances:

1) Determining the grounding of the ball in-goal for a try or touchdown and/or whether players were in touch or touch in goal before grounding.

2) Determining whether a kick at goal has been successful.

3) Confirm if an infringement has occurred in the build-up to a try or prevention of a try (infringement must be within two phases of the try or touchdown).

4) Considering acts of possible foul play.

Joubert would have been acting well outside the rules if he had used the TMO.

Scotland's captain Greig Laidlaw wipes his face as he stands on the field. Photo / AP

Rugby is full of what can only be described as subjective decisions and unfortunately they often decide big matches. The later they occur in a game, the more they hurt because there is a lack of time for the injured party to come up with a response.

There was also a very debatable scrum free kick decision against Australia moments before the now infamous lineout, when the Wallabies were on attack.

Rugby would grind to even more of a standstill if the TMO was used for every debatable decision, but maybe the game could look at greater use of replays in the final minutes.

This is something for the future, however.

Scotland, who played way beyond their reputation, needed to take out the variables and this included minimising the referee's influence. They had the winning of this game in their own hands. They blew it.