Why SRU’s handling of Hardie case has raised more than a few eyebrows
THE SRU’s handling of the John Hardie affair has, thus far, caused some confusion and no little debate within the rugby community.
It began last Friday, with the game’s governing body releasing a brief, and somewhat mysterious, statement saying that: ‘Scottish Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby confirm Scotland international and Edinburgh forward John Hardie has been suspended from duty pending an internal investigation.
‘As a result the player will not be available for selection for Edinburgh or the Scotland National Team.
‘It is normal practice with such matters that we are unable to comment further given the nature of the investigation.’
The rumour mill went into overdrive, of course.
And yet, beyond the conjecture, it was the timing and necessity of the announcement that also had people talking.
Edinburgh had left for Russia on European Challenge Cup duty, with their game early on Saturday, and few questions had been raised about Hardie’s absence given the need for players to be rested and rotated.
And there would have been little doubt that such news would overshadow Gregor Townsend’s Scotland squad announcement for the autumn Tests, which was due for the Monday but subsequently put back 24 hours.
Perhaps it was intended to get the news out before Hardie’s absence from the national team became apparent.
HowEvER, over the weekend, a report in a Sunday newspaper claimed the investigation was over alleged cocaine use and there was little sign of the story going away. Again, no official comment was forthcoming from either the SRU or Edinburgh.
what can be confirmed is that there is no suggestion Hardie has failed a drugs test. Nor is there any current police involvement in the matter.
The situation certainly had former Scotland star and British and Irish Lion Craig Chalmers scratching his head.
‘I feel for John Hardie and don’t believe his name should have been released or suspended until they have hard evidence of an issue,’ he tweeted.
Former Scotland full-back Rory Lamont went further in a tweet, comparing the naming of Hardie to a ‘public hanging’.
New Edinburgh captain Fraser McKenzie, who has taken over the role this week from the demoted Magnus Bradbury, admitted the players are in the dark over the accusations levelled at their team-mate.
‘we have been told next to nothing, which I think is down to legal issues,’ said McKenzie. ‘John will be supported by the team regardless but there are consequences for everything and they are outwith our hands.’
one wonders what those consequences will be. Hardie, it seems, has been deprived of his privacy to deal with this matter, to say the least.
Another disciplinary issue for fans of Edinburgh to digest has been the stripping of the club’s captaincy from Bradbury.
It seems Richard Cockerill has used a sledgehammer to crack an already bruised nut.
The 22-year-old got drunk on a night out and picked up a head knock.
It was undoubtedly an unsavoury incident but one which a rap on the knuckles to the young player would have sufficed.
Last week, this column argued that Bradbury should retain his role and that remains the case.
Cockerill is determined to improve Edinburgh and that drive has to be admired. However, on this occasion, he has come down far too hard on the youngster and one can only hope he has not done more harm than good.