It's easy to say Australia should thank the ref for their place in the Semi-Finals of the World Cup but Scotland should thank;
1) Foley for being terrible today, including his stupid kick that got charged down.
2) Slipper playing a moronic pass in the key pivot position which led to the intercept try. Why are Australian even putting a replacement prop in that position?
3) The non-existent defending at the ruck that led to the other Scottish try. Australia appeared to try their best to give Scotland some tries today.
Having said that it was a hell of a gritty, brave performance from Scotland, but once again they can't see the game out. Of course Joubert should have gone to the TMO, and the right decision may or may not have been reached. But that's life. Scotland have a good platform to build from after that performance. This young side need to put their disappointment behind them and learn from their mistakes.
Australia were the better side today when they weren't gifting points to the Scottish, and severely missed Folau as well as the one of the world's best players David Pocock. The Aussies got lucky today, had they put in this performance against Wales or England they would have been well and truly punished. There are still big question marks over Scotland's defending, Seymour's missed tackle early on was abhorrent, whilst they struggled massively with the maul off of the Australian line out. There are many areas that need to be improved upon before they can compete with a Southern Hemisphere side that actually turns up and plays well.
Scotland were gifted about 25 points through poor Australian play and Foley's poor boot, and whilst it was a great effort, and a very passionate performance, they are a long way off earning a victory against a fully-fit Rugby Championship side that doesn't try and commit rugby suicide on the pitch.
But like I said, still, well-played to the Scots who left everything out on that pitch, and came the closes of any NH side to the Semi-Finals.
