Winner, loser both seek tougher refereeing

Australia coach Eddie Jones says World Cup referees are not being strict enough on players who commit professional fouls.

After the defending champions booked a place in the semi-finals by beating Scotland 33-16, Jones told a news conference the tournament was in danger of being ruined unless stronger action was taken.

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"We've got to make sure the referees referee the laws of the game," he said. "If they don't, we're going to see really slugging finals."

Jones said Scotland were lucky not to get at least one player sent off after the opposition repeatedly gave away penalties at the tackle area when Australia looked like scoring.

New Zealand referee Steve Walsh spoke to a number of Scots during the match and also warned their skipper Bryan Redpath that he would send off persistent offenders. But he did not brandish the yellow card.

Jones did not criticise Walsh's handling of the game, but said he wanted to see referees take a tougher line on players who deliberately infringe at the breakdown.

"If people are intentionally giving away penalties when you are on the attack, it doesn't matter whether it's the first minute of the game or the 80th minute of the game, they should be sent to the sin bin," he said.

"We probably felt they were lucky to have 15 men on the paddock at various stages.

"It's been said that the referees are going to referee the game from the first minute to the 80th minute the same way in terms of cynical fouls and professional fouls, and that doesn't seem to be the case when it gets down to the big time."

Scotland's coach Ian McGeechan responded by calling on referees to take a closer look at Australia's use of decoy runners, saying the issue of where players "cross" remains unclear.

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"I think crossing is a problem," McGeechan said. "I think we have to get it sorted because it looks a too complicated issue on the field for the players and the referee.

"I'm not against it or for it, I think we have to decide if we're going to be against it or allow it.

"[Australia] is not the only side [doing it], but I think they are more adept because they are trying to link up with rugby league."

Questioned by journalists about the legality of his runners, Jones said there was nothing wrong with what they were doing, and accused other teams of obstruction by shielding the ball carrier at the back of the maul.

Jones said the try by Scotland's replacement hooker Rob Russell in the last minute of their quarter-final was a clear case of obstruction.