THE TERRIBLE SHAME OF AN UNJUST SCOTTISH DEFEAT

IT was a magnificent game of rugby that will never be forgotten.

But it is such a terrible shame that one of the reasons it will live long in the memory is the desperate heartbreak of Scotland’s unjust loss in those dying moments.

As I commentated for radio, like all those gripped by the action, my heart rose and fell as the drama against Australia unfolded at Twickenham.

In those last two minutes, we were in the lead and victory was tantalisingly close. But it was not to be – and in my 35 years of being involved in rugby, I have never seen anything like it.

The penalty in question should not have been given and I am pleased that World Rugby has come out and said referee Craig Joubert was wrong to do so. But it also said it was not within protocol for Joubert to watch the play again on TV – and I feel this is also wrong.

Lessons need to be learned here. This was not a friendly; this was the World Cup quarter final in its final breaths and when something is not clear, efforts should be made to establish the exact circumstances.

At the very least, the Television Match Official should have had a word in the refe- ree’s ear to clarify things. It would have been the simplest thing to do and it has happened in the past. Even if it was a breach of protocol, ultimately the most important thing is getting the right outcome.

No one could believe it when Joubert then just disrespectfully ran off the pitch. There was booing at the end and I suppose it is possible he may have felt, ‘I didn’t get that decision right, I need to get off the pitch’ – but I have never felt an intimidating atmosphere at a game.

For a nation that doesn’t have a lot of sporting success, the loss is compounded. We were so close to the semi-final, my heart just sank as I realised we weren’t going to make it.

The players gave their all. It’s such a shame that, rather than a fair final result, we are left wondering why things ended like this.