Edinburgh Rugby are eager to bounce back from their narrow Round 1 defeat against Leinster as they prepare to face the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria. Defence coach Michael Todd has highlighted the need for improvement in their defensive performance while acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by the Bulls.
Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s match, Todd emphasised the importance of learning from the mistakes made against Leinster, as the Irish side ran out 31-33 winners in a thriller at Hive Stadium.
“We had five tries at the weekend, which was a good improvement, but we need to shore up in defence,” he said. “It was good to get our start going, and we have a good reference point on where we need to improve.”
Todd acknowledged that there were minor details that needed to be addressed, such as new combinations and physical adjustments. However, he stressed that the team was not panicking, as these tweaks were relatively small.
The Vodacom Bulls present another significant challenge, with last year’s URC finalists known for their physicality and attacking prowess. Todd emphasised the need to stop their powerful pack and their talented backs.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge,” he said. “Anyone playing the Bulls at Loftus does well to have a good game and win.” While the altitude of Pretoria might be a factor, Todd dismissed it as a major concern. “It’s a bit of a shock at first when you experience it, but the bigger you make it, the bigger it is,” he stated.
With Edinburgh Rugby travelling to South Africa with a 29-man squad earlier this week, Todd confirmed that Matt Currie is the only player doubtful for the match having picked up a knock in Friday’s Leinster defeat. However, a final decision would be made later in the week.
Scoring five tries and conceding five in the previous match raised questions about Edinburgh’s balance. Todd, however, insisted that there was no significant imbalance. He attributed some of the defensive errors to new faces and acknowledged that he himself could have done better.
The defence coach also acknowledged individual errors and a potential lack of match sharpness. “You seen that in every game at the weekend with guys falling off tackles,” he said. “It’s a tough tournament, and we need to be better.”
Edinburgh have a decent record against the Bulls in the URC, with two wins at home and a narrow defeat away. While this might inspire confidence, Todd stressed that it’s a new team and a new test. “It’s a new Bulls outfit, and we need to try to put our best foot forward,” he said.
