Michael Cheika Blasts World Rugby’s Public Review Of Craig Joubert

Michael Cheika has let it be known of his dismay at the unfair and personal way in which World Rugby has thrown referee Craig Joubert to the wolves in the wake of Australia’s World Cup win over Scotland.

In an unusual move World Rugby yesterday publicly admitted that the South African official had indeed made the wrong decision in the game, that he should have instead awarded a scrum.

Wallabies coach Cheika is disappointed with the way Joubert has been singled out.

I genuinely feel for the referee,” the former Leinster boss is quoted in the Irish Times. “It’s so unfair. No other referee has had his stuff put out there like that. Craig Joubert is a very good referee.

I’d like my mates to back me up a bit more on the odd occasion.

It’s a bit surprising because no other decision has been reviewed, has it? Genuinely, I’ve never seen that before. I’m not sure why that decision had to be publicly reviewed. I really hope his fellow referees stand by him.