Craig Joubert

Craig Paul Joubert (born 8 November 1977) is a South African professional rugby union referee and a Referee Talent Development Coach at World Rugby.

Craig Joubert
Joubert in 2016
Birth nameCraig Paul Joubert
Date of birth (1977-11-08) 8 November 1977
Place of birthDurban, South Africa
SchoolMaritzburg College
UniversityUniversity of Natal
Rugby union career
Refereeing career
Years Competition Apps
2011
2005–2016
2005–2016
2003–2016
2016–		 2011 RWC Final
Tests
Super Rugby
Currie Cup
World Sevens Series		 1
69
103
80
Correct as of 7 December 2016

Joubert officiated in domestic first class matches in South Africa since 2003, in matches in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions. He refereed on the World Rugby Sevens circuit in 2003–04. He has been included in the Super Rugby refereeing panel since 2005 and has also refereed international test matches since 2005, making his debut in a match between the United States and Wales.

Joubert took charge of Super Rugby finals in 2010, 2013 and 2014 and has officiated in Tri-Nations / Rugby Championship matches since 2009, refereeing matches between Australia and New Zealand in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. In the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Joubert refereed four pool games, a quarter final, a semi-final and the final. He refereed the deciding Six Nations match in 2012 and one of the British and Irish Lions games on their tour to Australia in 2013.

He took part in four pool games at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the quarter final match between Scotland and Australia. During that quarter final, he was criticised for incorrectly awarding a penalty to Australia in the final minutes, which Australia converted to win the match 35–34, and for rushing off the field at the end of the match.

He retired from refereeing 15-a-side matches at the end of 2016 to take up a role as a Referee Talent Development Coach at World Rugby.

Early career

Joubert was born in 1977 and attended Maritzburg College and then the University of Natal to study business finance.[1] Joubert took up refereeing in 1995 as a teenager, when he was encouraged to do so by his father Des, who was also a referee at provincial level.[2] He initially worked in corporate banking for a period of five years,[3] before deciding to take up full-time refereeing, becoming a member of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Rugby Referees' Society.

2003–05

In 2003, Joubert officiated in several first class matches in domestic South African competitions, appearing in the Vodacom Cup[4] and Vodacom Shield[5] at the start of the year before taking charge of matches in the Currie Cup qualifying rounds,[6] the First Division[7] and eventually in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup when he took charge of the match between the Griquas and the Pumas in Kimberley.[8]

After the domestic season, Joubert joined the 2003–04 World Sevens Series circuit. He returned to domestic action for the 2004 Vodacom Cup and 2004 Currie Cup competitions and was named on the South African refereeing panel for the 2005 Super 12 season. He officiated at his first Super 12 match in Sydney when the New South Wales Waratahs beat the Chiefs 25–7 in the opening round of the competition.[9] Two more appearances followed – again in Sydney as the Waratahs faced the Crusaders[10] and in Dunedin where the Highlanders hosted the Waratahs.[11]

He officiated his first test match in June 2005, when he took charge of a match between the United States and Wales in Connecticut, before again officiating in the South African domestic Currie Cup competition, where he refereed the First Division final between the Falcons and the Pumas.[12]

2006–11

He refereed a further five matches in the 2006 Super 14 season – which included his first appointment to a match played in South Africa in the trans-Jukskei derby between the Bulls and the Cats[13] – and in domestic action in the 2006 Currie Cup Premier Division. He refereed in both those competitions throughout 2007 and 2008, and also took charge of the promotion/relegation play-off match between the Boland Cavaliers and the Griffons.[14]

After taking charge of seven matches in the 2009 Super 14 season, he refereed the British and Irish Lions' match against the Golden Lions during their tour of South Africa.[15] He took charge of both matches between New Zealand and Australia hosted in New Zealand in the 2009 Tri Nations Series,[16][17] as well as the 2009 Currie Cup First Division final between the Pumas and the SWD Eagles.[18]

In 2010, Joubert was in charge of several Super 14 matches including being appointed as the referee for the final between the Bulls and the Stormers in Soweto.[19] He once again took charge of a match between Australia and New Zealand in the 2010 Tri Nations Series[20] and was appointed to officiate the final of the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division between the Sharks and Western Province in Durban.[21]

He refereed several matches during the 2011 Super Rugby season, including the semi-final match between the Stormers and the Crusaders in Cape Town.[22] He also had a further appearance in the 2011 Tri Nations Series, officiating the New Zealand versus Australia match in Auckland.[23]

2011 Rugby World Cup

He was named on the refereeing panel for the 2011 Rugby World Cup,[24] and took charge of four matches during the pool stage of the competition. He also officiated the Quarter Final match between Ireland and Wales,[25] the semi-final between Australia and New Zealand and the final between New Zealand and France,[26][27] in the process becoming the youngest referee ever to officiate a final.[2] Joubert was publicly criticised by French players Dimitri Yachvili,[28] Dimitri Szarzewski and Maxime Mermoz for his performance in the final.[29] Gerry Thornley, writing in The Irish Times, was of the opinion that France was the better team on the night, with Joubert being reluctant to award penalties against New Zealand in the last quarter of the match.[30]. Sir Clive Woodward was of the same opinion [31]

2012–15

In 2012, Joubert took charge of the 2012 Six Nations Championship match – and Grand Slam decider – between Wales and France[32] and was also involved in the very start of the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament, as he officiated the first match between Mexico and Jamaica in the Americas qualification tournament.[33]

He again officiated during the Super Rugby, including taking charge of the semi-final match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders.[34] He made one appearance in the 2012 Rugby Championship in the Argentina versus Australia match in Rosario[35] and took charge of the Currie Cup promotion/relegation play-off match between the Eastern Province Kings and the Free State Cheetahs.[36]

Craig Joubert refereeing the Brumbies vs Bulls 2013 Super Rugby semi-final.

After officiating in seven matches during the 2013 Super Rugby season, Joubert was put in charge of a match between Samoa and Italy in a quadrangular tournament held in South Africa[37] and also the second test match between the British and Irish Lions and Australia during the 2013 tour series.[38] When the Super Rugby season resumed after the international break, Joubert was appointed to referee the semi-final match between the Bulls and the Brumbies[39] and also the final a week later, as the Chiefs hosted the Brumbies in Hamilton.[40] He again took charge of an Australia versus New Zealand clash in the 2013 Rugby Championship[41] and in domestic rugby in the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division, as well as the Currie Cup promotion/relegation play-off match between the Pumas and the Griquas.[42]

He officiated fifteen matches in the 2014 Super Rugby season, which included his second consecutive final as the Waratahs hosted the Crusaders in Sydney,[43] where again he come under criticism for a late penalty he awarded in favour of the Waratahs giving them the win. The following day Joubert contacted both Crusaders Coach Todd Blackadder and Crusaders Captain Richie McCaw to apologise, announcing to both that he got the final call wrong.[44] Joubert officiated the Argentina versus New Zealand match in the 2014 Rugby Championship in La Plata.[45] He refereed several matches in the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division, including the final between Western Province and the Golden Lions.[46]

At the conclusion of the 2015 Super Rugby season, World Rugby announced that Joubert would return to the World Sevens Series for 2015–16, in an attempt to earn a selection to officiate at the rugby sevens event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[47]

2015 Rugby World Cup

He was named on the refereeing panel of the 2015 Rugby World Cup[48] and took charge of four matches during the pool stage of the tournament. He was also appointed to officiate the quarter final between Australia and Scotland, which Australia won 35–34.[49] However, Joubert's decision to award a last minute penalty to Australia "provoked outrage" among Scotland supporters – as well as former players like Andy Nicol and Matt Dawson[50] – after replays showed that Joubert had awarded the penalty erroneously.[51] Scotland wanted Joubert to refer the incident to the television match official (TMO);[52][53] but he was prevented from doing so by TMO protocol.[54] Following a review of the referee's performance, World Rugby stated that Joubert should not have awarded the penalty.[55] However, this public review of Joubert's performance also attracted criticism from figures within the game, such as Australia coach Michael Cheika and former player David Campese.[56][57] In addition, Joubert was also criticised by former Scottish captain Gavin Hastings and former Scotland winger Kenny Logan for rushing from the field immediately after the match ended, rather than shaking hands with the players and fellow officials, as is the tradition.[58]

2016

After his spell officiating in the 2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series, Joubert was included on the list of referees that would take charge in the Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics.[59] He also remained active in the fifteen-man version of the sport, officiating in the 2016 Super Rugby season. In May 2016, he was appointed to officiate the Bulls versus Lions match, his 100th appearance in the competition.[60]

He retired from refereeing 15-a-side matches at the end of 2016 to take up a role as a Referee Talent Development Coach at World Rugby. While the job would mainly consist of developing younger referees, he would continue to referee on the World Rugby Sevens Series.[61]

gollark: You should at least not have blank lines in it.
gollark: Well, just comprehend it.
gollark: Fourthly, why are some lines changed despite seemingly containing exactly the same things?
gollark: Secondly, why did you expand line 116 so much?
gollark: Firstly, please into testing.

References
  1. "Craig Joubert | Rugby Union | Players and Officials". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  2. "Joubert's dream finally realised". IOL Sport. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  3. "Craig Joubert | Rugby Union | Players and Officials". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Boland 21-31 Lions". South African Rugby Union. 27 March 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – @lantic Pumas 35-46 Spoornet Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 15 April 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Griffons 42-40 Leopards". South African Rugby Union. 4 June 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  7. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Spoornet Bulldogs 19-43 Mighty Elephants". South African Rugby Union. 1 August 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  8. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Nashua Griquas 31-22 @lantic Pumas". South African Rugby Union. 3 October 2003. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Waratahs 25-7 Chiefs". South African Rugby Union. 25 February 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Waratahs 27-33 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 2 April 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  11. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Highlanders 20-41 Waratahs". South African Rugby Union. 30 April 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – AMD Valke 16-25 @lantic Pumas". South African Rugby Union. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  13. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Bulls 46-17 Cats". South African Rugby Union. 22 April 2006. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  14. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Boland Kavaliers 42-50 Griffons". South African Rugby Union. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  15. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Xerox Golden Lions 10-74 British & Irish Lions". South African Rugby Union. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  16. "SA Rugby Match Centre – New Zealand 22-16 Australia". South African Rugby Union. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  17. "SA Rugby Match Centre – New Zealand 33-6 Australia". South African Rugby Union. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  18. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Pumas 47-19 SWD". South African Rugby Union. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  19. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Bulls 25-17 Vodacom Stormers". South African Rugby Union. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  20. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Australia 28-49 New Zealand". South African Rugby Union. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  21. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Sharks 30-10 Vodacom Western Province". South African Rugby Union. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  22. "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Stormers 10-29 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 2 July 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  23. "SA Rugby Match Centre – New Zealand 30-14 Australia". South African Rugby Union. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  24. "RWC 2011 Selection" (PDF). International Rugby Board. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
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  26. "Craig Joubert to referee RWC 2011 Final". International Rugby Board. 17 October 2011. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  27. "SA Rugby Match Centre – New Zealand 8-7 France". South African Rugby Union. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  28. "Rugby World Cup final: Dimitri Yachvili points finger at the referee". Guardian. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  29. "Furious French hit out at Joubert". ESPN. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  30. Thornley, Gerry (22 October 2011), Joubert's Indulgence a Huge Factor for All Blacks, The Irish Times, retrieved 21 October 2015
  31. "Clive Woodward: Ref robbed France of 2011 World Cup". nzherald.co.nz. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  32. "Six Nations: Wales 16-9 France". BBC. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  33. "Mexico v Jamaica - Match - 2015 Rugby World Cup Qualifier 2015 - March 24th, 2012". ESPN. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  34. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 20-17 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  35. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Argentina 19-25 Australia". South African Rugby Union. 7 October 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  36. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province Kings 6-16 Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  37. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Samoa 39-10 Italy". South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  38. "Australia vs British and Irish Lions - Match - British and Irish Lions tour 2013 - June 29th, 2013". ESPN. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  39. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Bulls 23-26 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  40. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 27-22 Brumbies". South African Rugby Union. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  41. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Australia 29-47 New Zealand". South African Rugby Union. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  42. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Steval Pumas 33-15 GWK Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  43. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Waratahs 33-32 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  44. "Referee Joubert also apologizes to the Crusaders". RugbyTalk.com. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  45. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Argentina 13-34 New Zealand". South African Rugby Union. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  46. "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Western Province 19-16 Xerox Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
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  48. "Match officials announced for Rugby World Cup 2015". World Rugby. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
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  51. "World Rugby admit that Craig Joubert's decision to award a last minute penalty to Australia was incorrect". The Daily Telegraph. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  52. "Rugby World Cup: Scotland's Greig Laidlaw unhappy with final penalty in quarter-final loss to Wallabies". 19 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  53. Howson, Nick (18 October 2015). "Rugby World Cup 2015: Scotland demanded referee Craig Joubert consult with TMO over offside decision during Australia defeat". International Business Times. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  54. "Australia 35 Scotland 34: World Rugby confirms Craig Joubert right not to consult with TMO". The Daily Telegraph. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  55. "World Rugby Statement: Match officials' performance review (Australia v Scotland)". World Rugby. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  56. "Craig Joubert treatment unfair - Cheika". BBC. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  57. "World Rugby condemned over treatment of blunder ref Craig Joubert". Irish Independent. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  58. "Australia-Scotland: Referee Joubert branded a disgrace". ESPN. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  59. "World Cup referee Craig Joubert heads officials list for Olympic rugby". ESPN. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  60. "Joubert strikes Vodacom Super Rugby 100 mark". South African Rugby Union. 26 May 2016. [{{{archiveurl}}} Archived] Check |archiveurl= value (help) from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  61. "Joubert takes "dream job" with World Rugby" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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