COLD LIGHT OF DAY
As the Scots cry into their Irn-Bru and munch on a consolatory deep-fried Mars bar, another view of the refereeing decision that shafted them is emerging. Turns out, according to utterly unbiased Aussie broadcaster Fox News, Craig Joubert was correct both in not going to the TMO and in his ruling that a Scotsman was accidently offside following a botched lineout. Joubert could only have gone to the TMO for four things: ball grounding; to see if a goal kick went over; an infringement leading up to a try; or foul play. Commentators and players who called for the use of the TMO - such as Michael "I don't understand why he didn't do it" Lynagh - didn't know the rules. Lynagh later accepted Joubert could not have gone upstairs.
COLD LIGHT OF DAY 2
Joubert may well have got the call spot-on, even without the TMO assistance he wasn't allowed to call upon. According to rule 11.9 accidental offside would still have occurred even if - as replays appeared to show - Nick Phipps had touched the ball in between it being knocked forward by a Scotsman and ending up in Jon Welsh's hands. While Joubert had been subjected to demands to quit the tournament immediately and never ref again, little attention seems to have been paid to the Scottish players who completely cocked up the most important lineout in their nation's history. Funny old game.