![]() Scotland v Ireland: Time to move on from Grant Gilchrist disciplinary farrago, says Steve Tandy International.Opinion: Time to get rid of Premiership play-off format Clubland.Peebles win the Borders Semi Junior League for the first time Match Reports.In a few years all these young players are going to be very experienced at European conditions and European playing styles and that is going to make them feared opponents no matter whom they play against. ![]() We talk about going back to the drawing board, and we do that quickly, we adapt quickly. South Africans are very good at adapting quickly. Coaches are innovative and speak to the opposition coaches after the games and to referees. The Bulls are physical and come at you around the corner with their big forwards and, of course, they have a strong kicking game, the Lions’ set piece is a strength, the Stormers focus a lot on offloads to bring their back three into the game and the Sharks are physical and also have flair. “The Stormers, Emirate Lions and Bulls and Cell C Sharks all play to their strengths. The South African teams all struggled initially in their introduction to European rugby through the URC, but Schoeman believes he is now seeing what he always knew would happen – a quick adjustment and adaptation that will soon make the South Africans not only formidable contenders in the URC but, in time, in Europe in the Champions Cup, too. But within that structure we are free to express ourselves and do offloads and things.” Our new coach wants us to play innovative rugby but he is also adamant we must stick to the fundamental of earning the right to go wide. There were some big games we pulled through because of the set-piece emphasis and robustness that was key to Richard’s coaching. “We had some big wins over the last three years, including beating Newcastle twice, Montpellier, Toulon and Wasps. “Mike Blair is an amazing coach and we have been learning so much from him about playing the ball and playing more exciting rugby, but he is also big on the pride that was built up at the club under the previous coach, Richard Cockerill, who is now an assistant coach at England,” says Schoeman. So, the key is to try and not make it too personal as that might make you deviate away from the team goal and plan and rugby is a team game.”Įdinburgh are in the process of trying to embrace an all-encompassing attacking game, and it is has been a big talking point in Scotland, but Schoeman says that does not mean the home forwards will be taking a backward step against the feared Bulls eight. There is a fine balance between being motivated and getting carried away and being too enthusiastic. “There is more motivation for me playing against the Bulls but I have to try and treat it like another game. Rugby is known for the brotherships that are built up, and it will be nice to meet up, but then the next day, as Bakkies would say, you put everything into it. There are a few guys in the team and in the management who I know well, and it will be nice to have a coffee with them on Friday. “The Bulls are coming through on Friday and I am hoping to meet up with some of them. “It is a bit weird to be playing against the Bulls, I keep thinking back to those days where we sat around Loftus after training sessions talking about the next match and our chances,” he said. ![]() Not making it too personal is something that Schoeman is having to work on this week as he prepares for Saturday’s clash with his old team. But it was very competitive on the pitch, and a bit more personal than usual.” I know Warrick Gelant from my time with the Bulls and I also know Evan Roos quite well, and Brok Harris was playing club rugby over here for many years. “While it was all out between the white lines, it was also fun. The guys were all a little bit more excited and nervous than they normally are before a game and many of them admitted afterwards that it was closer to a Test match than a normal PRO14 or URC match. We knew it would be more physical than we are used to, and the Stormers didn’t disappoint in that regard they were physical on defence and on attack, too. “I was so excited to be playing against South African players again and the local boys were, too. ![]() In the meantime, Schoeman is relishing the opportunity to play against teams from South Africa again and says that, in terms of physicality, the game against the DHL Stormers this past weekend was a step up for him and his Edinburgh teammates. ![]()
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