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Craig Joubert on THAT RWC penalty

Cape Town - More than eight months have passed, but South African referee Craig Joubert is still being made to discuss his role in last year's Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Australia and Scotland. 

Australia won the match 35-34 thanks to last minute Bernard Foley penalty that had come in controversial fashion. 

After the ball had bounced of Scotland forward Josh Strauss's shoulder it was gathered by another Scottish player and Joubert ruled a deliberate offside, giving Australia and Foley a chance to win the match with a shot at goal. 

But replays later revealed that the ball had brushed an Australian hand after Strauss had knocked it forward, and the correct decision should have been a scrum. 

Joubert famously ran off the pitch at the final whistle to a chorus of Scottish boos. 

Now, in a video posted on World Rugby's Youtube channel, Joubert has opened up on the decision.

"In so many ways it was a great advertisement for our game," Joubert said of the eight-try thriller at Twickenham. 

"Unfortunately I get that to many it will only be remembered for one moment.

"In real-time it seemed like a clear-cut decision.

"It's only much later that evening when I'm able to actually sit and review the incident and I have the benefit of slow motion replays ... from different angles that I can see the slightest of touches from (Nick) Phipps of Australia."

Joubert added that referring the decision to the TMO was not an option. 

"I simply wasn't entitled to refer it to the TMO. This incident fell outside of what TMO protocol allowed us to refer," he said.

"It was simply a decision that I had to make in real-time.

"This led to this moment obviously being a very difficult moment for me and the fallout from this moment made for a very difficult time in my career."

Joubert did not referee again at the tournament.

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