RED CARD CHANGED MY ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME

TOO often it seems that rugby games today are decided by a referee’s decision or an interpretation of the rules that swings the momentum — or the scoreboard — to one side or the other. I don’t doubt that, for as long as people have chased odd shaped balls around a rugby field, refs have added drama and sometimes controversy. But just as the excitement was building for the second half, Sekope Kepu was red-carded, changing the complexion, and my enjoyment of the game. The referee made the right call based on the rule book and I agree with the emphasis on player safety. However, I wonder if laws which tie referees’ hands and don’t allow them to use their judgment are good for the game. A one-man advantage is huge and in fairness to Australia, they played some excellent rugby, following the red card. But the result was never in doubt from the 37th minute. I believe Scotland would have won comfortably had the Australians kept 15 men on the field but now there will be the asterisk against the result. Scotland put a marker down this autumn series and will look forward to the Six Nations knowing that they have a group of players able to win any Test match. There is more to come from this team as they grow together and learn what Gregor Townsend expects from them. Gregor now faces the rarest of problems for a Scotland coach — an embarrassment of riches and a selection headache fit for one of the top teams in the world.