Everitt hails ‘gutsy’ Edinburgh after Bulls battle secures home Semi-Final

Head Coach Sean Everitt, while acknowledging the Bulls’ formidable threat, praised his side’s resilience and clinical edge in a match that swung dramatically in the second period.

“The Bulls are a dangerous team with the power that they have up front,” Everitt admitted, reflecting on a contest where Edinburgh built a dominant first-half lead before weathering a ferocious Bulls comeback. “Getting a big lead at half-time did help us, obviously.”

The first-half was a real showcase of attacking intent, with Edinburgh’s ruthlessness in the Bulls’ 22 proving decisive. “We took our opportunities in the first half and that’s what you need to do against a team like this because they do have the ability to come back,” Everitt explained.

“We had an 80% completion rate when we got into their 22 and that’s vital. It’s not often that you can peg them in their 22 and when you get there you’ve got to make use of it.”

Everitt highlighted the bravery shown by his team in the opening 40 minutes, a crucial factor against a Bulls side boasting such powerful ball carriers. “Sometimes when you play against these big teams you want to be conservative because you’re concerned about the break-around threat,” he said.

“It was important for us to play and be brave with ball in hand and we certainly were that. I’m just proud of the boys and it’s a massive confidence builder for us.”

The second-half saw the Bulls roar back, with the hosts down to 14 men after Ross McCann’s yellow card, but Edinburgh held firm. “The second half obviously started well and then Ross McCann’s yellow card was a change in momentum, unfortunately,” Everitt conceded.

“In saying that, the Bulls went to what they’re good at and that was their power game. They introduced Canan Moodie and he won a couple of balls out of the air and put us under the pump.”

However, it was Edinburgh’s defensive grit that ultimately secured the victory. “I just thought that the way we kept them out at the end and I think Pierre Schoeman’s turnover on the whistle showed the guts that these guys showed defensively to keep out a very, very good Bulls pack,” Everitt emphasised. “To be honest, I don’t think they can put a better team on the park apart from maybe a Cobus Wiese but that is arguable.”

A key figure in Edinburgh’s attacking prowess has been James Lang, whose form has been a major boost. The centre scored two first-half tries, while linking up excellently with midfield partner Matt Currie.

“It’s been great,” Everitt said of Lang’s recent performances. “James showed similar form in my first year and then he unfortunately had a string of injuries. He’s now got some consistency in his game. His passing game and his play-making ability at the 12 are strengths of his. On top of that, he’s grown his carrying game and is defending unbelievably well. So I’m happy for him. He’s gone through a bit of adversity and it’s good that guys come out on the other side stronger.”

With a home Semi-Final against either Bath or Gloucester secured on the weekend of 2 May, Everitt acknowledged the excitement of being two games away from silverware. “Yes, it is. A lot of rugby to be played before then,” he cautioned, stressing the importance of focusing on the upcoming URC clash with the Sharks.

“We’ve got three South African teams in a row and the guys are labelling it the Biltong Series! We’re two up and we’ve got another one to go so we’ve got to focus. But yes, the semi-final at home is awesome against probably two of the better teams in the Premiership at the moment.”