Craig Joubert under fire after Sydney Sevens blunder

THE referee whose wrong penalty decision helped cost Scotland a place in the World Cup semi-finals last year is being investigated by World Rugby for allowing eight players on the pitch for a team in a sevens tournament.

Craig Joubert is facing an investigation after allowing an extra man on the New Zealand Sevens team. Picture: Getty Images

Craig Joubert officiated the Pool A game between Australia and New Zealand at last weekend’s Sydney Sevens in the world series, when the Kiwis scored a match-levelling try while having eight players on the field. The game ended in a draw, which prevented the hosts from topping the pool.

The sport’s governing body says it is looking into the South African and his assistants for not noticing the extra man, but said the result will stand.

New Zealand went on to win the tournament.

Joubert was criticised by World Rugby for wrongly awarding a late penalty instead of a scrum to Australia in the closing minutes of the World Cup quarter-final against Scotland at Twickenham in October.

The Scots were leading 34-32 at the time but Bernard Foley slotted the kick to seal a dramatic win.

Joubert is due to run the line in Scotland’s final Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin.