The decision which proved the turning point in Edinburgh’s last Pro14 outing was described by the Irish television commentator as “a hometown decision” by the Irishman commentating for Premier Sports and it was one that should invite everyone involved in the competition to get hold of a dictionary.
James Johnstone’s sin-binning on the grounds of what was deemed a cynical offence was, at best, a questionable call, not least because there was a strong argument that his attempt to steal the ball at a breakdown was entirely legal.
It is all too easy, however, to criticise referees and instead we need to look much more closely at the support and guidance they are given.
On the afternoon in question Johnstone’s offence was, at worst, borne of instinct under pressure and stood in stark contrast to the repeated infringements throughout the 80 minutes that had clearly been a calculated and wholly understandable part of the gameplan of a team that has found wins very hard to win to come by since joining the Pro14 in 2017.
In those terms, however, we need to reappraise what represents cynicism on the rugby field, since it seems that match officials are being steered towards taking severe action towards perpetrators of individual acts that appear aimed, in the heat of the moment, at preventing scores, while failing to punish properly sustained efforts to prevent teams from playing at tempo and building momentum.
In the meantime, for Johnstone, it may or may not have been a good thing that there was then a three week gap between matches, but having found himself in the relatively unsupported and, at times, dangerously isolated role of winger that day, he will be happy if the chance arise to get back to his more familiar midfield role in the days and weeks ahead.
“That is what I am more familiar with and more comfortable with,” he admitted.
“It was a bit different last time because of the circumstances with availability of other guys. If I am back into the centre, that is good.”
Regardless of the whys and wherefores, there is an understanding within the Edinburgh camp that they must put what might have been behind them, having had, that day in South Africa, a chance to draw clear of the rest of the pack chasing Pro14 Conference B leaders Leinster.
“We definitely missed an opportunity there a couple of weeks ago at the Kings and definitely need to get a reaction to that game, especially with the way the league is looking. We need to make sure the next three games, we are on it and get the right results,” said Johnstone.
The pros and cons of the performances in the first half of the season that have put them in this position are that they are, once again, enjoying the prospect of having something to compete for at this time of year, but have now consistently done so well over a couple of seasons that their squad is being depleted by international calls.
“That is the reason for the squad,” Johnstone said, however. “We have a good deep squad and though we lose a lot of guys to Scotland, which is great for the club, it is a great opportunity for other guys to step up and put a marker down as well. We can still get the right results with the guys we have got, we have a great depth of squad and can use that.”
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