Challenge Cup: Bulls focus on three areas ahead of Edinburgh clash

Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee believes Edinburgh will make them work hard for the win when the teams clash in their Challenge Cup quarter-final on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm).

The Bulls beat Bayonne 32–22 in the tournament’s last 16 in France last weekend while Edinburgh crushed the Lions 24–12 to host a second playoff game in the competition.

Coetzee, who earned man of the match for his performance against Bayonne, said the Scottish side would test the Bulls in three areas: the breakdown, kicking, and defence.

Head to head: 2–2

The Bulls and Edinburgh have played each other four times – all in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Each side has won twice and won both games at home.

Coetzee said because the clubs have more history than French teams, they will know what to expect a little more than they did against Bayonne.

“But saying that they also [integrate] a lot of things into their game. Those are things we will keep close to our chest.

“But one thing about the Scottish sides, it’s never an easy game going abroad. They make you work hard for it. They are a proud nation and Edinburgh are a proud team as well.

“At the end of the day, we can’t really afford soft moments or let ourselves down with silly mistakes. You have to be accurate at all times against Edinburgh if you want to come out on top.”

He said their opponents are especially good at the breakdown, which will prove a “big contest”.

“They’ve got internationals there. They know how to play smart around the breakdowns. It will be a tough battle for us and we can’t be slow to win those races.”

Bulls focus on defence, kicking against Edinburgh

Coetzee said the attack of Scottish teams, and Edinburgh’s in particular, was “high tempo” with many “mini moves within open play and in general”.

“They’ve got forwards who can put guys in good spaces around them. They can get the passes to the 10s as well.

“They rely on a lot of ruck speed to be quick so they can find those holes, the weakness in the defence. That is something we identified and are working hard towards countering that.

“Defensively we will be up to it. It’s just about being smart and having those connections with the boys around you to make the right decisions at the right times.”

He said he didn’t know whether wind or rain would play a role but they would take that into consideration.

“Our kicking game is also going to be a massive focus point. Making sure we are playing the right areas and to our strengths.”

He said they also need to continue working on their foundations that work for them. That includes the kicking, as Coetzee said Bulls scrumhalf Zak Burger and flyhalf Keagan Johannes controlled the game well in the Bayonne game.