Gregor Townsend insists Scotland Rugby World Cup opener suffered referee hitch as 'inconsistency' baffles coach

Gregor Townsend insisted refereeing inconsistency robbed Scotland of the chance to get off to a World Cup flier against South Africa.

The dark blues head coach was left baffled by the refusal of Aussie referee Angus Gardner to go to the TMO after Springbok Jesse Kriel's collision with Jack Dempsey's head just 57 seconds. Despite watching his side open their Pool B campaign with an 18-3 to the reigning champions, the quickfire controversy marred the outcome.

It was an incident which mirrored England's Tom Curry saw red for a head on head clash with Argentina's Juan Cruz Malliawho's in the opening seconds of their tournament opener on Saturday. Townsend believes the rule over these contacts appear clouded in uncertainty and he admits the same punishment as Curry received could have been on the cards for Kriel.

He said: "I saw it from two screens away and it did look like it was a head on head collision and I was expecting the TMO to come in to make the referee aware of that. Who knows if it had been a red card? We had a red card on Saturday and it didn't help or change the game in terms of Argentina's favour so who knows?

"Is it frustrating? Yes. We had a promising attacking position outside the 22 and then the TMO came in for a body check which wasn't a traditional tackle and I don't know how that didn't end up being a penalty so yes there are still inconsistencies in seeing these things.

"Whether TMO did see it or not, it was on the replay so there is inconsistency over what is a red card, a yellow card or a penalty so I am frustrated by that but I am more frustrated by our own performance."

Scotland capitulated to the Springboks by conceding two tries in quick succession and Townsend is adamant his side didn't do enough