ROVING REPORT: AUSTRALIA V SCOTLAND

Roving OATH reporter Alistair "Gutted" Buckle

Scotland fans hearts had just recovered from the last gasp win against Samoa so yesterday's cliffhanger against Australia was not good for the health. Having read all the press comment and let the emotion die down a wee bit, it is clear that the ref Craig Joubert made an error, but it was also clear that Australia, having scored five tries (with a two further disallowed), were the better team and deserved the win. Yes, as a Scots fan I would have loved to have watched them play in a RWC semi-final just down the road from where I live, but had they sneaked a win it would have been daylight robbery.

Scotland were magnificent, and refused to lie down, despite being behind on the scoreboard most of the game, but they stuck in there and never let Australia get ore than two scores ahead. Bernard McFoley, who had a shocker (apart from that last great kick), helped their cause by missing three conversions, and having a kick charged down by Russell for Scotland's second try. Their front five was immense, especially in the first half where Nel and Dickinson destroyed their Australian counterparts (who had dominated England and Wales up front). The back row, especially Cowan and Denton, competed with the great Hooper and Fardy at the breakdown, and got Scotland on the front foot. The Scottish backs, especially Bennett looked sharp and got over the gainline continually, and Laidlaw, again kicked his goals and showed strong leadership and cool temperament under pressure. The ref was harsh on them, from the card for Maitland for the attempted intercept, to the lack of card for the Australian Fardy for cynically killing the ball five metres out (is it any less of an offence early in the game?), and for Drew Mitchell for shoulder charging Hogg late in the game.

However, Australia always looked dangerous with ball in hand, with Giteau, Beale and Ashley-Cooper a constant threat, forcing Scotland to make 117 tackles. Scotland's inability to catch the ball from kick offs put them under constant pressure, especially after their last try (which indirectly contributed to the infamous penalty). They conceded five tries, with two further disallowed, although Kuridrani's effort looked a double movement. And in the last 10 minutes, they tried to play too much rugby in their own half, rather than kicking it deep into Australian territory to relieve pressure and nullify the opportunity for a match winning penalty or drop goal. Last but not least, they failed to catch the last lineout cleanly, leaving the ball to inevitably bounce off a few players, and the controversial penalty for accidental offside (when it apparently came off Phipps). It appears Joubert could not consult the TMO, but he could have watched it himself on the big screen a few times with the assistance of his touch judges, but he chose not to do so. Unfortunately, controversy follows him, as he was very harsh on France in the RWC 2011 final, and more recently, on the NSA Waratahs in the Super 15 final against the Highlanders. He won't be getting any Xmas tablet from north of the border, that is for sure. I was there, I booed him, but would never have thrown a bottle at him as he ran off the pitch. I did throw my empty cup high into the South stand, when Bennett went over under the posts with five minutes to go. I hope it didn't hit anyone, and that they got the pound back.

Ref makes final decision before changing identity and heading off to Bolivia

Great game, great occasion and great advert for the game...even some cynical English neutrals found themselves cheering quietly for their Northern hemisphere colleagues.