Small Earthquake In Edinburgh - Nobody Hurt

SOMETIMES the more-cerebral approach of rugby is a welcome break from the frantic, frenetic even pace of covering the round-ball game. All that speculation over who will be the next big buy, who is going to replace whom as coach of where, it makes covering football a brain-frazzling occupation.

The calmer waters of rugby coverage, so peaceful.

Imagine if you can the back page furore if WGS was suddenly to be unveiled as overall Director of Football with the SFA. Of course, it will never happen - direction, in Scottish football - you're avin a larff. Entire Scandinavian forests would be felled to cope with the print media frenzy; The Scotsman website would crash with the amount of traffic, putting (naturally) an Old Firm slant on the whole thing. The BBC and Clyde phone-ins would be in melt down; Chick Young would have a fit.

But, the SRU decides to make the big Aussie The Honcho and - small earthquake in Edinburgh, nobody hurt. Even the efforts of some of my rugby-writing colleagues to stir-up interest, by speculating on which of three or four southern hemisphere coaches might succeed Johnston as Scotland Coach faltered after a couple of days.

I wouldn't be averse to Todd Blackadder returning to Edinburgh, but, still feel, somewhere along the line in this protracted game of musical chairs, somebody Scottish has to be given a job as something more than a bag carrier at Murrayfield.

NOT much can be said about the squad for this wee South African jaunt next month. The squad more or less picks itself; but I am a tad disappointed at the absence of big Rob Harley. That said, we do have an embarrassment of back row riches, so, somebody had to stay at home. One hopes this disappointment will give young Rob the impetus to come back stronger and meaner next season.

I would also like to have seen Mark Bennett taken along for the experience, but, his turn will come. Finally - Ally Dickinson, come off it.

I WAS speaking to a hugely-experienced referee this week. This guy is in his mid-sixties, still whippet-thin, runs every day and is fitter than a lot of guys half his age. He's been blowing the whistle for over 30-years, has done his bit at a high level and now operates at the grass roots, as a mentor to young referees, while still officiating at mini and midi games.

He was laughing at an experience he had earlier this month, at a mini tournament, when the coach of a losing Under-15 team refused to shake his hand - because he (the coach) felt, from a distance of six feet, my refereeing friend had missed an incident which he (the coach) had clearly seen from 50-metres away.

This failing by the referee had absolutely and directly cost the coach's side the game - which they had lost by over 30-points.

It is good to know that football attitudes are now crossing the great divide into rugby. If your side loses that heavily, the fault is not with the referee, but, maybe the coach should take a close look in the mirror.