The Aussie media have decided that today's close shave shows that their team's hope of lifting a third World Cup are toast unless they get David Pocock back in the XV sharpish.

"The fate of the Wallabies' World Cup chances now rest on the condition of David Pocock's calf," say the Sydney Morning Herald., external

They go on. For Scotland. and the rest of the northern hemisphere contenders, the tournament ends here.

Still two mouth-watering semi-finals to look forward to.

See you there.

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Has Kurtley Beale done enough to keep the full-back spot that he borrowed from an injured Israel Folau this afternoon?

Folau has been short of his best in the tournament so far and Beale made more metres (54) and carries (14)  than any other Australian.

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David Denton had a massive game in the loose for Scotland.

The number eight made 58 metres, 15 carries, two clean breaks and beat three defenders - all team-high totals. 

Brian O'Driscoll sums up the heartache for Scotland.

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Scotland prop Alasdair Dickinson, speaking to BBC Sport: "I don't know what to say. It was a heartbreaking game. I honestly thought we had it until the last minute.

"We've not really discussed the referee's decision. It's still very raw. The decision's made and we have to live with it. We're gutted.

"We've laid a platform for the future. Everybody was writing us off for this game, and we felt we could win it. We probably should have edged it today. but it's a fine line in rugby."

John Beattie
Former Scotland international on BBC Radio 5 live

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"I think World Rugby have to tell us why the referee ran off the pitch. Was he being threatened by Scotland players? I don't think so. Was a bottle thrown at him? Well, that's one idiot in the crowd. If he ran off because he got the decision wrong, then that is a disgrace.

"We lost the game, but the referee was a numpty. When you're Scotland, it feels as if we're the little nation, and the big guys get the decisions. But I might be wrong."

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Australia fly-half Bernard Foley, telling BBC Sport about his thoughts before kicking the winning points: "I think I was telling the team I owed them one after giving them the charge down earlier. I don't know if I've got ice-cool nerves. I'd rather not be kicking them right at the death.

"There is a lot of character in this side. Even when we were behind with five minutes to go, we knew we had a chance. But credit goes to Scotland. 

"I haven't seen the replay of the penalty incident. I just take it on the ref's call."

After 44 matches, we have our final four and not a single northern hemisphere team in sight.

To think they shortened the Rugby Championship to make calendar space for this World Cup.

They could have played another round and handed out the Webb Ellis trophy there and then.

Image source, BBC Sport

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Scotland fly-half Greig Laidlaw, speaking to BBC Sport: "I don't know what to say. It's hard to take in that manner, to lose it at the death. We're gutted to lose and to lose in that manner.

"If there was any doubt, going to the TMO would have taken doubt away. But it's something we could have controlled from the line-out. It's the toughest defeat I've ever had to take.

"We've talked about moving the team forward, and I think we've done that."

Wales captain Sam Warburton offers some words of support, after Wales suffered similar heartache yesterday losing 23-19 to South Africa.

It is worth remembering that Drew Mitchell is only able to score his two tries today after the Australian Rugby Union - under a bit of pressure from Michael Chieka - relaxed their ban on overseas-based players.

That paved the way for Mitchell and Matt Giteau's return to the side and their experience came to the fore in that nip-and-tuck quarter-final.

It is one thing for the All Blacks to only pick domestic-based players, but can the northern hemisphere sides continue their embargo? 

It's not gone well at this World Cup.

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Australia wing Drew Mitchell: "I guess there's relief but also pride. We stuck in there and gave ourselves a chance to see it out. I feel for Scotland, it's a tough way to go out.

"There's a tremendous amount of belief in this squad. There were five minutes to go, and we knew if we could get up the other end, we'd have a chance.

On whether Australia's penalty should have been awarded: "Oh mate, that's for the referee to determine. It was about Bernard keeping his nerve to stick it over."

Gavin Hastings
Former Scotland full-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"I've just about calmed down. You just feel so sad. Scotland worked so hard. Every time you thought the game was getting away from them, they found a way back. It's a tragedy for Scotland. It's a bit of a tragedy for rugby."

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Referee Craig Joubert's call on Sean Maitland's yellow card earlier in the second half was as difficult to understand as the final penalty.

He ruled that Maitland's knock-on was deliberate.And that was with the help of the TMO.

Their decision seems to discount any possibility of a player every catching a ball with one hand.

Had that ball stuck to the Scotland wing's palm, he had a decent chance of an interception try.

That surely was in his mind, rather than a cynical slap-down.

Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Rex Features

"I just get frustrated when games are decided by such decisions. I wish Vern Cotter could come out and say I'm angry. I also want some accountability. I want a quote from Craig Joubert or from World Rugby to explain themselves.

"The whole tournament has been incredible. I was hugging Gavin Hastings when Scotland scored a try. If that isn't an incredible moment, I don't know what is. There's no reason why the two semi-finals won't be great."