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Hero Hodgey in Heineken, erm, Heroics
Edinburgh: 25 (12) Leinster: 24 (10)
If the current deliberations within the IRB on the laws of the game resulted in the length of rugby matches being reduced to about 30 minutes, Duncan "Hodgey" Hodge would be a shoo in as Scotland's stand off. With many spectators entering into the spirit of the "Monster Mash" promotion of this afternoon's Heineken game at Murrayfield, it was appropriate that, once again, the ghostly playmaker entered the fray with a quarter to go and steered Embra to a vital one point victory, with a nervelessly struck dropped goal in stoppage time. Another "save" for the veteran.
Not only did the great man save Embra's bacon, but he also saved referee Jutge not a little embarrassment, and no doubt some searching questions from whoever is in charge of officiating in this tournament. Had the Hodge drop not sailed between the uprights, Leinster would have won this game thanks to a try that featured one of the most obvious forward passes in the history of the game. So crass was the officials' blunder that, for a full five minutes, Murrayfield echoed to the sound of spectators asking neighbours to pinch them and similarly demonstrate that they had, indeed, seen a try given in these circumstances. Apparently, this Heineken thing is quite an important tournament. It beggars belief, therefore, that a game could be decided by such a clear officiating error as this. And it would not be the first time. A missed forward pass saw Newport come away with a win at Murrayfield two years ago that effectively ended Edinburgh's Heineken campaign.
Leinster brought an impressive travelling support with them, and the team itself did their reputation as city slickers no harm. Brian O'Driscoll warmed up in a pair of black tights that was presumably borrowed from one of the "Rockettes" cheerleaders, who were themselves to risk severely chilled kidneys, strutting their stuff on the sidelines later on. A besuited gentleman, who was presumably a coach of some sort, appeared on the pitch towards the end of the warm up, wearing light tan slip on shoes, a very long scarf jauntily slung over his shoulders and, no doubt, a pair of sunglasses perched in his hair. All that was missing was a cloud of cologne and a mauve pullover round his neck. This column is on record as being very much in favour of eccentric attire on the rugby field, but this was something else. No wonder the rather more agricultural Munster folk have little difficulty in getting motivated for their clashes with the dapper Dubliners.
It was an exciting game, with plenty of adventure and drama to keep the record 5,900 crowd on the edge of their seats throughout. One felt, though, that Edinburgh's game plan was slightly too open. Leinster's pack have a reputation - deserved or undeserved - of being vulnerable to the abrasive approach of the likes of Munster. And Gloucester had, even in defeat, last week mauled the Lions all over the park. With the Embra pack now developing an enviably strong set piece, allied to a traditionally powerful mauling game, one felt that a more limited game plan might have been better for the home side on this occasion. As it was, Leinster's pack dominated the breakdown and won plenty of good quality possession in an open game. As a result, their talented backs always looked dangerous when they had the ball, offloading superbly in the tackle. Only fine home defence kept them out on many occasions. Edinburgh will not be so fortunate again.
Mindful of coach Howells' injunction to play for 80 minutes, Embra got off to a fine start, countering off the opening kick off to reach the enemy 22, where Paterson knocked over his first penalty of the afternoon. Unfortunately, Contepomi returned the favour shortly afterwards.
Both sides were looking to run the ball from everywhere. First Edinburgh threatened in the Leinster 22, then Leinster broke out to put in some phases in the Edinburgh red zone.
With 13 minutes gone, Willis, the latest in a long line of gesticulating Irish scrum halves a la Peter Stringer, persuaded the referee to award a rather dubious free kick at a scrummage on their 22. The try that followed, however, was superb; Girvan Dempsey celebrating his 50th European appearance with a well taken long range touchdown in the left corner, converted well by Contepomi.
Edinburgh came right back, however, and Paterson slotted the easy penalty after Willis' cynical deliberate knock on had foiled an Edinburgh overlap inside the Leinster 22. Three minutes later, Strokosch broke four tackles after a Paterson break on the right to punch a hole deep into the visiting 22. Another professional offence gave Paterson an easy penalty chance.
He had to wait an age to take it, however, as the referee departed with a blood injury and the remaining officials seemed to have no idea what to do. Both skippers engaged in a long and clearly frustrating discussion with these gentlemen, before Jutge returned to the fray and Paterson duly took Edinburgh to within a point with his third penalty.
Edinburgh were looking comfortable in the set piece, but Leinster were both winning good ball at the breakdown and successfully slowing down home ball. One of the reasons for the latter, however, was that they were sailing pretty close to the wind. So it was no surprise when Blaney was carded for a ruck offence with 2 minutes left on the game clock. Paterson again made no mistake with the penalty, to give Edinburgh a 12-10 half time lead. If anything, Leinster were the better team and Embra will have been pleased to go into the changing room ahead.
With Leinster putting Finegan on at half time as a ball carrier, one wondered whether it might signal a change to a tighter game from the visitors. But although the Australian had a few early runs - and put in one of the least convincing tactical injuries that one has seen for some time during the power play - their general approach was still to put a lot of width on the ball.
And from a surge on the left wing, Horgan slipped a pass that was a good three yards forward to replacement Fitzgerald, on for Hickie. With pretty much everyone in the stadium waiting in vain to hear referee Jutge's whistle for the infringement, the threequarter raced over for the try in the corner, well converted by Argentinian stand off Contepomi. It was an outrageous decision, but one can't blame Leinster for taking the try that put them 17-12 ahead.
With the referee suddenly showing some interest in pinging the forward passes that can be a hazard of the sort of exciting offloading game that Leinster play - albeit rather late - Edinburgh began to turn the screw. The sound of creaking joints echoing round the stadium heralded Hodge's appearance with 20 minutes to play and his tactical kicking was to prove crucial. Whereas before, Edinburgh had perhaps tried to force things a little too much, Hodge's experience on the tiller saw them playing the game in the enemy half. On more than one occasion, he made the covering Horgan look awkward in defence, with touchfinders that trundled past and through the big winger en route into touch in the Leinster 22.
And Edinburgh were rewarded as the game went into the final ten minutes. A fine Hodge touch five metres out from the Leinster line saw Blaney botch the throw in. From the ensuing Edinburgh scrum, Rob Dewey powered over the line, carrying several defenders on the way. The referee was unsighted, but the television official confirmed the obvious try, goaled by Paterson to take the lead once again.
Although the vistors hit back with some excellent attacking play, it was Paterson who put Embra further ahead with another penalty as regulation time expired. But immediately, slack Edinburgh work at the short restart saw Dempsey over for his second try of the night. Contepomi's conversion gave the Dubliners a two point lead two minutes into injury time. Such carelessness has hurt Edinburgh badly in the past and is an area of their game that must be addressed if they are to be successful.
But then came the finale. After Hodge had had a long range dropped goal effort charged down, a Webster counter took Embra back into Leinster territory. The ball came back and the veteran made no mistake with his second chance. The referee blew the final whistle and Edinburgh were celebrating a fine win that keeps them very much in the hunt in this group, particularly with Agen's victory in Gloucester yesterday. And it is the brace of games against the men from the West Country in December that will be pivotal in deciding Edinburgh's qualification hopes.
Next week, it's back to Magnersleague business, with Lynn Howells' former charges, Cardiff, coming to Murrayfield. Another must win game.
MAN OF THE MATCH: FELIPE CONTEPOMI was a good choice for the official award. Your correspondent's vote went to DUNCAN HODGE.
BONUS POINT WATCH: No doubt they will be disappointed to lose, but Leinster picked up a valuable bonus point for the close margin of defeat and are probably now the favourites to win the group, following Agen's victory in Gloucester yesterday.
SCORERS:
Edinburgh: Paterson 5P 1C, Dewey 1T, Hodge That DG
Leinster: Contepomi 3C 1P Dempsey 2T, Fitzgerald 1"T"
Edinburgh: Southwell, Paterson, Di Rollo, Dewey, Webster, Godman, Blair, Jacobsen, Hall, Dickinson, Mustchin, Murray, Strokosch, Rennie, Callam.
Leinster: Dempsey, Horgan, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Hickie, Contepomi, Willis, McCormack, Blamey, Green, Hogan, O'Kelly, Keogh, Gleeson, Heaslip.
Referee: Jutge (France)
Attendance: 5,867 (Scottish record)
Martin Bell
