Edinburgh 2024/25

[BaldiePete]

So, just back home from the match. On the plus side, the forwards generally went well and won a few scrum penalties. Darcy looked as lively as ever when he got the ball (rarely) and Duhan got two tries from, I think a grand total of two passes received in the whole match. Vellacott also looked lively when he came on and made a super break to setup Scott’s try to give us the losing BP at the end. Tuipolotu was OK but he’s no Sione.

On the negative side, the lineout went to shit when Ashman came on (very worrying for Scotland). The backs are still not offering any creativity at 9/10/12/13. The kicking from both the base of the rucks and from 10 lacked precision. Comparing our quality of kicking to that of Gibson-Park was like night and day.

A final positive, we lost but got two BPs. Last year we’d have stuck on three tries and lost by more than seven points and got no BPs.

Our mid-table mediocrity is likely to continue.

[septic 9]

Looks like quite a game from that scoreline.

Good to hear in Thomson. Price just seems to have lost his way since the Lions?

You’ve misunderstood, I was attempting a joke that Healy would have wanted Thomson to have a poor game and he did. Healy was no better though. It’s a real problem for Edinburgh that they can’t get a 10 who can control a match. Price is a shadow of his former self, Gibson-Park was at 9 for Leinster and he was deservedly man of the match.

Thomson sliced a punt early on but otherwise I thought was fine - created a try from nothing. Healey was just poor. Frankly with hindsight it was a monumentally poor substitution

But worst thing and what probably cost the win was having no lineout, Cherry or Ashman, no matter half a dozen lineouts lost, free possession to Leinster

[Mikey Brown]

Looks like quite a game from that scoreline.

Good to hear in Thomson. Price just seems to have lost his way since the Lions?

You’ve misunderstood, I was attempting a joke that Healy would have wanted Thomson to have a poor game and he did. Healy was no better though. It’s a real problem for Edinburgh that they can’t get a 10 who can control a match. Price is a shadow of his former self, Gibson-Park was at 9 for Leinster and he was deservedly man of the match.

Oh. Lol. Makes sense now I read it back.

I thought maybe this was the making of him. Seems to be talented but maybe not got the temperament to be real top level?

I thought Healy looked like an international quality 10, if a bit conservative, when he first appeared, but seems to have gone backwards.

[Cameo]

Hard to know what to make of that game. I have found Edinburgh so frustrating for so long that I think I am preconditioned to find fault, and there was plenty of it there. But, as BaldiePete says, five tries and two bonus points ain't all that bad. If their kicking game had been better and they could win lineouts they would have probably won too.

Thought Healy was okay when he first came on but those last ten minutes were all over the place. The drop goal attempt was such a low percentage play. Thompson's kicking wasn't great, though not as bad as Price's, but I hope he keeps getting starts.

I thought Tuipolotu looked quite impressive. Looked like he knew how to use his physicality both in attack and defence. More to come from him hopefully.

[BaldiePete]

Playing the Bulls this week in the first of two games in South Africa. One game into the season and both starting centres from last week are out with hamstring injuries and Muncaster is out with a hip injury. Scott and Bennett start in the centre, which was a combination for Scotland in 2015!! Price retained at scrum-half FFS

Wins are difficult in South Africa but Glasgow showed it can be done, although I’m not particularly hopeful (though that’s not unusual for an Edinburgh supporter these days).

The Bulls team includes Acker Van Der Merwe, Duhan’s brother.

Edit
Jaco Van Der Walt playing for the Bulls.

Edinburgh Rugby (versus Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday @ 2pm UK time): W Goosen; D Graham, M Bennett, M Scott, D van der Merwe; R Thompson, A Price; P Schoeman, D Cherry, P Hill, M Sykes, G Gilchrist, J Ritchie, H Watson, M Bradbury. Subs: E Ashman, B Venter, D Rae, J Hodgson, T Dodd, B Vellacott, B Healy, R McCann.

Unavailable: Mosese Tuipulotu (hamstring), Matt Currie (hamstring), Ben Muncaster (hip), Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee).

[septic 9]

its 10 degrees hotter than when Glasgow won in Pretoria.
Today's game, at 5000ft will be played in temperatures of over 30C.

This was not supposed to happen when the first SA teams joined the pro14. There was a good reason.

[BaldiePete]

22-16 to the Bulls, so Edinburgh get a losing BP. It was a scrappy, crappy game. Edinburgh could maybe have won but showed all the usual failings. White line fever from the forwards, no creativity in the backs and a dodgy lineout (on our own throw). Darcy seems to be off his game, perhaps not surprising given the amount of time he’s been out injured. Plus point, scrums went well, Paul Hill has been a good signing.

[Cameo]

22-16 to the Bulls, so Edinburgh get a losing BP. It was a scrappy, crappy game. Edinburgh could maybe have won but showed all the usual failings. White line fever from the forwards, no creativity in the backs and a dodgy lineout (on our own throw). Darcy seems to be off his game, perhaps not surprising given the amount of time he’s been out injured. Plus point, scrums went well, Paul Hill has been a good signing.

Yeah, scrappy game and usual failings but probably a respectable effort and outcome taking into account the heat and altitude (and Edinburgh's level). Agree with you re Darcy, a couple of silly mistakes the last two weeks. Maybe trying a bit hard but I'm sure he'll be back on it soon. That breakaway sparked by his intereception would have been quite something if they had scored.

Do we think Thompson's established as first choice? No doubt there'll be plenty of chances for both him and Healy but thought he played quite well.

[BaldiePete]

I thought Thomson had a decent game this week and wasn’t replaced by Healy till quite late in the game. I think they’re giving him a shot at being first choice and seeing how it goes.

They’ve now got Lions next weekend and then the Stormers at home the following week. There is a significant possibility that they are going to lose the first four games of the season which would screw the entire season for them when it has hardly started.

[septic 9]

22-16 to the Bulls, so Edinburgh get a losing BP. It was a scrappy, crappy game. Edinburgh could maybe have won but showed all the usual failings. White line fever from the forwards, no creativity in the backs and a dodgy lineout (on our own throw). Darcy seems to be off his game, perhaps not surprising given the amount of time he’s been out injured. Plus point, scrums went well, Paul Hill has been a good signing.

Yeah, scrappy game and usual failings but probably a respectable effort and outcome taking into account the heat and altitude (and Edinburgh's level). Agree with you re Darcy, a couple of silly mistakes the last two weeks. Maybe trying a bit hard but I'm sure he'll be back on it soon. That breakaway sparked by his intereception would have been quite something if they had scored.

Do we think Thompson's established as first choice? No doubt there'll be plenty of chances for both him and Healy but thought he played quite well.

yep, poor quality from both teams.
Healey can do stuff bar kick, but has rarely shown it for Edinburgh so far. Thompson seems to run the back line more fluently and unfortunately can kick well from hand and tee. I think he is currently and rightly first choice.

Graham was poor - the lack of pace after the intercept stunned me. Watson anonymous, fuck knows what Boyle etc have to do to get a chance instead of yesterday's man. And Richie back to stupid back chat getting on wrong side of the ref

[Cameo]

Ritchie was good otherwise I thought.

[BaldiePete]

Edinburgh seem to be running out of centres already with McCann starting at outside centre but Tuipolotu on the bench? If Tuipolotu is fit to be on the bench he should be fit to start, so play him and keep McCann as the emergency backup. Cherry is injured so Ashman starts. He needs a decent game at the lineouts, he’s been dreadfully wonky so far and I’m sure the Lions will target the Edinburgh throw. Complete change at 9 and 10 with Vellacott and Healey starting. Hopefully Vellacott will speed up the game but I’m not sure he’s a great combination with Healey. No change in the back row. Crosbie and Boyle are both playing for the A team this weekend, I hope they’re putting pressure on Watson for the 7 shirt.




Unavailable: Dave Cherry (ankle), Matt Currie (hamstring), Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffelli (back), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)

[BaldiePete]

48-0 down at half time. Luckily I’m out so have just been checking the score on the BBC rather than actually watching it. There’s something seriously wrong at Edinburgh Rugby when this group of players are playing so disastrously. Everritt’s position is untenable now, he has to go and the sooner the better.

[BaldiePete]

Final score 55-21 to the Lions. Everitt talking bullshit about “winning” the second half. Not good enough, he has to resign or be sacked.

[sharvey44]

An utterly dreadful performance.

Defence was non existent. Attacking line standing so deep and static that after a few phases they ran out of ideas.

The only positive was that Ashman actually managed to hit his jumpers more times than not for a change.

2nd half they managed to score a couple of ok but boring tries and then butchered a chance in the last minute to get a 4T BP by throwing a wild pass into touch.

No passion, no intelligence, no composure, no creativity.

Seem to be in the same place they were in back in the Solomons days. The frustrating thing is it just seems to repeat itself with every coach, Solomons, Hodge, Cockers, Blair.. On paper that squad should be performing way better but they stick on an Edinburgh shirt and turn into clueless muppets.

The coaching staff and the players need a massive boot up the ar$e

[Mikey Brown]

An utterly dreadful performance.

Defence was non existent. Attacking line standing so deep and static that after a few phases they ran out of ideas.

The only positive was that Ashman actually managed to hit his jumpers more times than not for a change.

2nd half they managed to score a couple of ok but boring tries and then butchered a chance in the last minute to get a 4T BP by throwing a wild pass into touch.

No passion, no intelligence, no composure, no creativity.

Seem to be in the same place they were in back in the Solomons days. The frustrating thing is it just seems to repeat itself with every coach, Solomons, Hodge, Cockers, Blair.. On paper that squad should be performing way better but they stick on an Edinburgh shirt and turn into clueless muppets.

The coaching staff and the players need a massive boot up the ar$e

How much have the assisting coaches changed around those head coach appointments. It feels like Edinburgh have tried a bunch of different styles in the last few years, with Blair’s seemingly looking the most promising for a very short period, then going horribly wrong.

It always seems to revert to playing very conservatively in the end.

[Cameo]

That was truly terrible. Some players aren't as good as we think (or at least no longer are) but there is a deeper issue. There was a clear lack of effort once things went wrong. I love Darcy Graham and it is maybe harsh to single him out as he may not be fully fit and he was maybe just the most exposed, but in the ten minutes before halftime his effort in defence was half hearted to say the least. Sure, tackle someone if they are in reach but don't make any effort to get back where you might be helpful.

Only real positive was Harrison, though for all his thoughts I thought Gilchrist stuck at it as well.

Healy has decent enough skills but plays as if he is playing unopposed. For someone who has more impact on a game, that might be a compliment. For him, it just means he does everything slowly and doesn't offer any threat.

I don't know the answer. Sure, sack Everitt, but who are we getting in and when? The squad could do with a bit of a clearout (Watson and Bofelli just the two most obvious ones, harsh on Bofelli given his injuries but Edinburgh have way too much money in that back three) but that's not going to lead to quick results.

[BaldiePete]

Edinburgh attempt to regain some dignity at home to the Stormers on Saturday.

Healey has been completely binned from the 23, he’s playing for the A team against Bath United. Watson also dropped with Muncaster selected at 7. Has he ever played there, I had him as a 6/8? Ashman and Cherry are both injured so Harrison starts with Harri Morris on the bench for what will be his 2nd appearance in 3 years. His previous one was as a back rower. I’d have liked to see what Blyth-Lafferty could do. The centres look stronger with Scott and Tuipolutu back.

In theory it’s a decent team but I would expect Stormers to win, given the situation Edinburgh have got themselves in.

W Goosen; D Graham, M Tuipulotu, M Scott, D van der Merwe; R Thompson, A Price; P Schoeman, P Harrison, P Hill, J Hodgson, G Gilchrist co-©, J Ritchie, B Muncaster, M Bradbury. Subs: H Morris, B Venter, D Rae, M Sykes, L Crosbie, B Vellacott co-©, C Scott, M Currie.

[septic 9]

Stormers have basically left all their big names at home, bar a couple

[BaldiePete]

FFS Edinburgh. Score a try then make a complete cunt of receiving the kick-off.

[BaldiePete]

Somehow they survived that. Currently winning 28-7 with 9 minutes to go. Not even Edinburgh can lose from here.

[BaldiePete]

Much better from Edinburgh. 38-7 with two tries for player of the match Ben Muncaster. I know it wasn’t Stormers best team but neither was Leinster’s team and they lost that match. Darcy perhaps lucky for his try but he’s starting to regain his form.

[septic 9]

Much better from Edinburgh. 38-7 with two tries for player of the match Ben Muncaster. I know it wasn’t Stormers best team but neither was Leinster’s team and they lost that match. Darcy perhaps lucky for his try but he’s starting to regain his form.

don't agree about Graham, still way off where he needs to be

Also worst performance I can remember Stormers in this league, some might be down to Edinburgh pressure but not much.
Still, big win and its amazing what a pair of half backs who can run a game can do for you

[BaldiePete]

Currie and Matt Scott swap starting and bench places but Edinburgh’s misfiring backs otherwise unchanged. Schoeman and Hill dropped to the bench, perhaps just rotation. Certainly Hill has had a decent start for Edinburgh. Harrison getting the nod over Ashman who is returning from a concussion. Nobody is nailing down the starting hooker position which can’t be helping the poor lineout this season. Ritchie is rested so Crosbie returns to the back row with Muncaster retained at openside with Watson on the bench. That’s good to see, Muncaster has played well and deserves the opportunity to cement his place in the team.

Edinburgh Rugby (versus Cardiff at Hive Stadium on Saturday @ 5.15pm UK time): W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, M Tuipulotu, D van der Merwe; R Thompson, A Price; B Venter, P Harrison, D Rae, M Sykes, G Gilchrist co-©, L Crosbie, B Muncaster, M Bradbury.
Subs: E Ashman, P Schoeman, P Hill, J Hodgson, H Watson,  B Vellacott co-©, C Scott, M Scott.


Unavailable for Edinburgh: Mark Bennett (quad), Emiliano Boffelli (back), Connor Boyle (neck), Robin Hislop (knee), James Lang (calf), Jamie Ritchie (rest protocol), Javan Sebastian (shoulder), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Glen Young (pec).

[BaldiePete]

Shock horror, Edinburgh in decent win. 27-8 with a bonus point. Spectacular diving finish from DVDM for the first try and Darcy got a good score after an old-school Watson pinball run and great support from Price. The bonus point try was hilarious, Cardiff hooker on a 5m lineout throws the ball straight to Ashman at the back of the lineout who practically falls over the line for the try. First half was very frustrating (5-3 down at half-time) but they played well in the 2nd half. The lineout even went well for both Harrison and Ashman. Price deservedly player of the match, probably his best game for Edinburgh, he’s finally speeded up like the Price of old.