THE Rugby World Cup clash between Scotland and Australia has captured the headlines. I cannot let the comments of your correspondents, Paul Cochrane and Peter Wands (Letters, October 20), pass without responding.

Rugby benefits greatly from the introduction of the Television Match Official (TMO) despite the fact that current regulations allow usage on a somewhat limited scale . The last-minute incident when Referee Joubert made a wrong decision clearly indicates that its use must be extended to assist in fairness to both teams.

The live radio comments of both Gavin Hastings and Ian Robertson were a spontaneous reaction to a tense onfield situation and the subsequent hasty departure of the referee at the final whistle.

Bullying and intimidation of the maligned official is not something any true supporter would condone. In this instance, Mr Joubert made a mistake that was officially recognised. It was a costly error which in all probability cost Scotland a place in the semi final. This is not the first occasion that his performances have come under criticism from a variety of sources. Our small nation produced a superb team performance of grit, determination and skill. We are rightly proud of this and rightly regret advancement was snatched from us in such a way.

This is some way off a whingeing response, as has clearly been displayed over the last few days.

Colin Mayall,

5a East High Street, Crieff.

COMPLAINING about a blatantly wrong refereeing decision is not “whingeing” as suggested by Peter, especially when it was obviously the deciding factor in such an important match in the World Cup. For many of the Scottish players, it was probably their only chance to compete at this level, and they have every right to feel aggrieved and disillusioned.

Referee Joubert must have been aware that awarding a penalty to Australia was likely to change the result, and it makes no sense not to make use of instant television replay to double-check in such a tight situation. If the current rules do not permit such a referral it is high time they were changed. Some viewers find the few seconds delay irritating, but they do add to the tension and, more importantly, ensure that the referee makes the right call.

However Mr Wands is right to point out that, in the wet weather conditions, the safer throw should have been to the front of the lineout. The catch would have been safer and the Scots could have formed a rolling maul, taking up precious time and moving the play further away from kicking distance. I don’t know who made the line-out call, but the captain Greig Laidlaw should have been aware of the situation and taken control.

Mr Joubert’s final act in running off the field immediately after the final whistle was unacceptable. This is the same referee who was conned by the Welsh pack into giving a world record total of penalties against Scotland in their Six Nations match at Murrayfield two years ago. I do not think he is a world-class referee, and he should not be given charge of remaining matches in this World Cup.

Iain AD Mann,

7 Kelvin Court, Glasgow.