Ospreys v Edinburgh, 21 September

Ospreys v Edinburgh
 
Saturday 21st September 2013, KO 18:30
Liberty Stadium, Landore
 
Referee: Claudio Blessano (FIR, 5th competition game)
Assistant Referees: Gwyn Morris, Greg Morgan (both WRU)
Citing Commissioner: John Charles (WRU)
TMO: Paul Adams (WRU)
 
Live on S4C/BBC Heedrumhodrum
 
A. Teams:
 
1. Ospreys      
15 Richard Fussell
14 Jeff Hassler
13 Andrew Bishop
12 Ashley Beck
11 Eli Walker
10 Dan Biggar
9 Tito Tebaldi

1 Duncan Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
3 Adam Jones
4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
5 Ian Evans
6 Tom Smith
7 Sam Lewis
8 Morgan Allen

REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Baldwin
17 Ryan Bevington
18 Joe Rees
19 Tyler Ardron
20 Justin Tipuric
21 Tom Grabham
22 Matthew Morgan
23 Aisea Natoga
 
2. Edinburgh    
15 Greig Tonks

14 Nikki Walker
13 Dougie Fife
12 Nick De Luca
11 Tim Visser

10 Harry Leonard
9 Sean Kennedy

1 Alasdair Dickinson
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Geoff Cross
4 Grant Gilchrist
5 Izak van der Westhuizen
6 Dimitri Basilaia
7 Roddy Grant CAPTAIN
8 David Denton

Substitutes

16 James Hilterbrand
17 Wicus Blaauw
18 WP Nel
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Hamish Watson
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Michael Tait
23 Jack Cuthbert
 
B. Form - head to head:
 
Ospreys/Edinburgh
 
22 Played 22
12 Wins 9
9 Losses 12
1 Draws 1
49 Tries 49
30 Conversions 36
64 Penalties 42
4 Drop Goals 1
509 Points 446
26 Avg. Age 25
 
C. Form - last season:
 
Friday 23 November 2012, 19:05: Murrayfield
Edinburgh Rugby 23 - 13 Ospreys
 
Friday 22 February 2013, 20:00: Liberty Stadium
Ospreys 24 - 7 Edinburgh Rugby

remarkably close stats!

This will be the game where we see if Edinburgh have found some stability!

Will be interesting to see if the players have taken confidence from the win at the weekend and are able to build upon it.

Looking forward to the game.

tigertattie wrote:remarkably close stats!

This will be the game where we see if Edinburgh have found some stability!

Well I know Dragons Scrummage isn't the best in the league, even at this early stage but Edinburgh did a number on them.

Ospreys are bring out all their best lads for this match, our first at home of the season.

Yeh looks like all the Ospreys lions will be available. I'll def start them..

I see that Alex Blair has been asked back to Edinburgh on a trial basis given the stand-off crisis - a sensible move

Don't think Grandpappy Solomons will mess much with a winning formula so it should be something like:
 
15 Greig Tonks
14 Nikki Walker
13 Dougie Fife
12 Nick de Luca
11 Tim Visser
10 Harry Leonard
09 Sean Kennedy
 
01 Wicus Blaauw
02 Ross Ford
03 WP Nel
04 Grant Gilchrist
05 Izak van der Westhuizen
06 Dimitri Basilaia
07 Roddy Grant
08 David Denton
 
Edinburgh surely now officially have a stand off crisis. Hunter out for 9 months with an ACL Fecking (technical medical term), Piers nursing not only a silly name but an ankle knock and Laidlaw still out with radio silence on when he might return.
 
I noticed in the news today that FES' latest heart throb Alex Blair has been invited back to take his chin off his chest and train with the squad. Fine, but not as good as throwing money at Heathcote or Toomua.

The Edinburgh scrum has been the shining light so far this season, in both pre-season games and both Rabbo games. It will get a stern test from the O's but Dickinson and Nel are proving to be top level Rabbo scrummagers, and Blaauw looks a strong scrummager too. Maybe the new rules are helping them - they aren't the biggest props but are pretty compact.

As for the game, I know Solomons says it will take months for the team to take shape, but this will be the 5th game now and I suspect the team will be similar to the one that has taken the field from the start of the season. We really need to be seeing some signs that the team is going in the right direction.

Like the Munster game I would settle for a good performance and LBP. Unfortunately we got neither against Munster!

The Scotsman said Scott and Laidlaw were in a race against time to be fit for the HK opener.

RDW_Scotland wrote:The Edinburgh scrum has been the shining light so far this season, in both pre-season games and both Rabbo games.  It will get a stern test from the O's but Dickinson and Nel are proving to be top level Rabbo scrummagers, and Blaauw looks a strong scrummager too.  Maybe the new rules are helping them - they aren't the biggest props but are pretty compact.

As for the game, I know Solomons says it will take months for the team to take shape, but this will be the 5th game now and I suspect the team will be similar to the one that has taken the field from the start of the season.  We really need to be seeing some signs that the team is going in the right direction.

Like the Munster game I would settle for a good performance and LBP.  Unfortunately we got neither against Munster!

Sure to be interesting in the scrum, we did a good job on Leinster who look like they need Healy and Ross urgently. Scarlets are the emerging scrummaging force, Sampson Lee has been quite the performer.

I imagine that the Ospreys will start with a first choice front row.

Dickinson a "top level RABO scrummager"

I sincerely hope they're not rushing to get Laidlaw and Scott back in time for HC, both are too important long-term for both club and country. Is there an ETA on Rennie?

Hopefully Leonard can get a run of games, always been impressed with his attacking play and game-management only comes with experience.

Can anyone shed more light on the Dragons game, write-ups have been sparse and the BBC highlights brief?

Just seen the story about Blair returning to Edinburgh on a part time trial basis. Blair is a very talented player and out of the 3 brothers Alex looks the most natural skillful player.
He has played most of his rugby at 10 and has obviously been brought to Edinburgh to cover that position but I have always felt he would be better suited to full back. He is very quick and very good at counter attacking when he has played at full back before. His tactical kicking isn't the greatest from what I have seen but his punting from deep is pretty good.

People still whitter on about Rory Hutton and how he should be at Edinburgh which i totally disagree with, the stand off Edinburgh should have brought in the summer was Lee Millar who has ended up at London Scottish. Very very good player who can really mix it up between running and kicking rugby. If he had gone to Edinburgh I think he would have been 1st choice by the end of the season!

tigertattie wrote:Dickinson a "top level RABO scrummager"

He stood up well in the summer tour and has started well for Edinburgh. As long as he's not played at tighthead his scrummaging at this level is pretty good.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Dickinson a "top level RABO scrummager"

He stood up well in the summer tour and has started well for Edinburgh. As long as he's not played at tighthead his scrummaging at this level is pretty good.

I agree, Dickinson has always been a good scrummager when played at loosehead. He did really well for Edinburgh first time around and then at Gloucester where he was first choice. For Scotland he has never really been allowed to show that until this summer as he was often used at tighthead. Keep him at loosehead and he will do a great job.
There is a slight resembelance in style to Tom Smith. similar size and like Tom Smith he likes to get down low in the scrum and underneath the tighthead to make it as difficult as possible for him,.

I'm definitely not saying he's a world beater, but I think it's fair to class him as a 'good' rabbo loosehead

Need RuggerRadge to comment! He'll know

I've never seen Dickinson as a good scrummager (at loose) He is good in open play, kinda like a chunky flanker, but never rated his scrummaging powers.

If he has worked on this and improved, then fair play to him and good luck.  We could do with him!

tigertattie wrote:Need RuggerRadge to comment! He'll know

I've never seen Dickinson as a good scrummager (at loose) He is good in open play, kinda like a chunky flanker, but never rated his scrummaging powers.

If he has worked on this and improved, then fair play to him and good luck.  We could do with him!

Certainly he's not an international scrummager of note, and as tattie rightly says, is normally credited for his play around the field - however, perhaps with the advent of the new scrummaging laws, they suit him?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Need RuggerRadge to comment! He'll know

I've never seen Dickinson as a good scrummager (at loose) He is good in open play, kinda like a chunky flanker, but never rated his scrummaging powers.

If he has worked on this and improved, then fair play to him and good luck.  We could do with him!

Certainly he's not an international scrummager of note, and as tattie rightly says, is normally credited for his play around the field - however, perhaps with the advent of the new scrummaging laws, they suit him?

He'll have a good work out vs Adam Jones and Joe Rees

Ospreys fans - what's your team likely to be? Reckon your Lions will be match fit? I'm assuming they were given the same amount of time of as Faletau - that's far too much IMO.

The Ospreys Coaches are promising all thir Lions will be available for this first home match. Here is a link to Gruff Rees' prematch preview.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30776

From BBC

Ryan Jones could be joined by a host of returning British and Irish Lions in the starting line-up, with prop Adam Jones, locks Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans, hooker Richard Hibbard and flanker Justin Tipuric all available to start.

I heard a rumour that Richard Hibbard smells strongly of ranch dressing.

maestegmafia wrote:The Ospreys Coaches are promising all thir Lions will be available for this first home match. Here is a link to Gruff Rees' prematch preview.

http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/30776

From BBC

Ryan Jones could be joined by a host of returning British and Irish Lions in the starting line-up, with prop Adam Jones, locks Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans, hooker Richard Hibbard and flanker Justin Tipuric all available to start.

Look-out Edinburgh.
This is going to be a hiding at its best.

Just read that Edinburgh have brought in a 26 year old un-capped Argentinian centre on a 2 week trial.

Would it be too much for the sru to think about just bringing John Houston back from the 7s squad?? He is a good solid squad player to have.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just read that Edinburgh have brought in a 26 year old un-capped Argentinian centre on a 2 week trial.

Would it be too much for the sru to think about just bringing John Houston back from the 7s squad?? He is a good solid squad player to have.

Oh feck me hard. Grove? Taylor? Fergusson? Quite a few good SQ options there. I came so close to automatically tapping out 'Ansbro' there.

I can only hope they are targeting grove and Taylor for next season since they are tied to their clubs.

What's Ritchie Rees's mum doing back ?

In other news Bill Lothian reckons we're going to sign Finn Russell on loan, that seems to make sense assuming Weir is almost fit. Nothing from ER yet though, so it might be Bill making up stuff again.

George Carlin wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just read that Edinburgh have brought in a 26 year old un-capped Argentinian centre on a 2 week trial.

Would it be too much for the sru to think about just bringing John Houston back from the 7s squad?? He is a good solid squad player to have.

Oh feck me hard. Grove? Taylor? Fergusson? Quite a few good SQ options there. I came so close to automatically tapping out 'Ansbro' there.

I keep forgetting he's retired as well, such a shame, was one of my favourite Scotland players. Wonder what he is up to now?

I hear a rumour that Embra have picked up Cornell du Preez, number 8 from the Kings

As have I. highlights reel well worth a watch on YouTube.

So no other whispers on Finn moving East, or was that just Bill Lothian?

PS don't tell Biltong about Du Preez, he will (rightly) get grumpy again about the number of young Saffers being poached by NH teams.

highland_scot wrote:I hear a rumour that Embra have picked up Cornell du Preez, number 8 from the Kings

I'd rather they had signed Jacques Engelbrecht but that would still be fairly awesome as du Preez was a first team regular with the Kings and can also cover lock. From what I can tell, he has also played a lot at 6 which is the reason Edinburgh will be signing him.
 
I'd rather lose Wight to the exfoliated side of the country than Finn but similarly from a Scotland perspective, I want Russell to kick on and get as much game time as possible to show what he can do. Can we have some of Edinburgh's female students to walk around Glasgow city centre in exchange?

I'm hoping du preez will have a Strauss like influence on Edinburgh - if he's a regular starter for a super XV team he will be a good player. His strengths seem to be ball carrying and contact so he will hopefully take some of the load of Denton over the season.

I'm assuming it's not been announced cause the currie cup is on? When does that finish?

Looks interesting from his highlights reel. Seems to have a bit less bulk (and beard) than Strauss but is taller and more athletic. Should be a good addition, though I imagine like Nel and VDW it'll take him a while to get up to speed having played a full S15, the Currie Cup, then going on to the Pro 12.

With the return of Alex Blair, can anyone shed some light on whether he is any good? The usual faces in the Hootsmon are complaining that it's not Rory Hutton. Was he really worth shouting about? I get the impression he'd been a fantastic playmaker but terrible at game management?

Regarding other 10s that Edinburgh don't have... Any work on how Lee Millar is faring at London Scottish?

Onto the Ospreys match. Unless one of the other 9s has been repaired, I'm envisage SH-C to get a bit of time in this game. He's had a good showing (admittedly against fatigued legs) in the last couple of games and I'm given to understand from my sources that Grandpappy Solomons really rates him quite highly.

I've liked the grit Edinburgh have shown so far this season, just need to start playing well as well as having determination

Hutton made a brilliant break to set up a try on his debut a few years ago but his passing and kicking was woeful - barely prem 1 standard. Yes these things could be coached but having a good break isn't enough for a pro 10.

Alex Blair is a much better all round player, but had had serious injury issues. Word on the street is that he's been playing very well in prem 1 this season - lets just hope his body hold itself together and he can become a decent option at 10 for us.

highland_scot wrote:Looks interesting from his highlights reel. Seems to have a bit less bulk (and beard) than Strauss but is taller and more athletic. Should be a good addition, though I imagine like Nel and VDW it'll take him a while to get up to speed having played a full S15, the Currie Cup, then going on to the Pro 12.

With the return of Alex Blair, can anyone shed some light on whether he is any good? The usual faces in the Hootsmon are complaining that it's not Rory Hutton. Was he really worth shouting about? I get the impression he'd been a fantastic playmaker but terrible at game management?

Regarding other 10s that Edinburgh don't have... Any work on how Lee Millar is faring at London Scottish?

Onto the Ospreys match. Unless one of the other 9s has been repaired, I'm envisage SH-C to get a bit of time in this game. He's had a good showing (admittedly against fatigued legs) in the last couple of games and I'm given to understand from my sources that Grandpappy Solomons really rates him quite highly.

I've liked the grit Edinburgh have shown so far this season, just need to start playing well as well as having determination

Alex Blair is a cracking player - guided Scotland A when they won the IRB Nations Cup a few seasons ago; had a serious back injury after going pro unfortunately, but will still have the talent

RDW_Scotland wrote:Hutton made a brilliant break to set up a try on his debut a few years ago but his passing and kicking was woeful - barely prem 1 standard. Yes these things could be coached but having a good break isn't enough for a pro 10.

Alex Blair is a much better all round player, but had had serious injury issues. Word on the street is that he's been playing very well in prem 1 this season - lets just hope his body hold itself together and he can become a decent option at 10 for us.

Totally - Hutton's kicking from hand was some of the worst I've ever seen for a 10. Or for a prop, come to that. The joke at the time was that if it wasn't for gravity, he would miss the ground.

highland_scot wrote:I hear a rumour that Embra have picked up Cornell du Preez, number 8 from the Kings

@EdinburghRugby
BREAKING NEWS: @EdinburghRugby to announce Super Rugby signing later this morning.

That'll be du preez then! Edinburgh obviously saw we had got wind of it first...

Pat_Mustard wrote:

highland_scot wrote:I hear a rumour that Embra have picked up Cornell du Preez, number 8 from the Kings

@EdinburghRugby
BREAKING NEWS: @EdinburghRugby to announce Super Rugby signing later this morning.

06 du Preez
07 Rennie
08 Denton
 
Looks better.

I think they realised Basilaia doesn't really cut the mustard, and can only be used as an impact subs, unfortunately.

That said Edinburgh are starting to build a very good pack, that was some impressive scrummaging from Nel after 80 min of play in that last scrum vs the Dragons.

RDW_Scotland wrote:As have I. highlights reel well worth a watch on YouTube.

Watched it before reading his profile and thought he looked a bit lightweight. As he's only just 22 I think give him a year or two to bulk up and he looks pretty handy.

madmaccas wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:As have I. highlights reel well worth a watch on YouTube.

Watched it before reading his profile and thought he looked a bit lightweight. As he's only just 22 I think give him a year or two to bulk up and he looks pretty handy.

He seemed to do OK in his highlights, and bearing in mind they were all Super XV games that suggests his physicality will not be an issue!

Saying that Wiki has his weight as 16st 10 so unless he has bulked up a bit since then he could do with putting on half a stone or so.

As you say though, he is only 22!

highland_scot wrote:Looks interesting from his highlights reel. Seems to have a bit less bulk (and beard) than Strauss but is taller and more athletic. Should be a good addition, though I imagine like Nel and VDW it'll take him a while to get up to speed having played a full S15, the Currie Cup, then going on to the Pro 12.

With the return of Alex Blair, can anyone shed some light on whether he is any good? The usual faces in the Hootsmon are complaining that it's not Rory Hutton. Was he really worth shouting about? I get the impression he'd been a fantastic playmaker but terrible at game management?

Regarding other 10s that Edinburgh don't have... Any work on how Lee Millar is faring at London Scottish?

Onto the Ospreys match. Unless one of the other 9s has been repaired, I'm envisage SH-C to get a bit of time in this game. He's had a good showing (admittedly against fatigued legs) in the last couple of games and I'm given to understand from my sources that Grandpappy Solomons really rates him quite highly.

I've liked the grit Edinburgh have shown so far this season, just need to start playing well as well as having determination

If t is Du Preez we have signed than that is a great signing. Was superb in the super 15 this year. Think his overall stats were in the top 5 back rowers in the competition for metres gained and tackles. Seems very physical when i have seen him play and definitely likes to make yards with the ball so exactly the type of player edinburgh need.

In regards to Hutton and is he worth a spot at Edinburgh then NO he is not. His kicking is atrocious. Yes he does have a spark about his game from time to time but he drifts in and out of games. Played against him a couple of times about 3 years ago and I have played against far better stand offs. From what i hear he is not a good trainer either and regularly turned up late for training sessions or didn't turn up at all.

Alex Blair definitely has more potential than Hutton as do a few other 10s playing in the Scottish premiership.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just read that Edinburgh have brought in a 26 year old un-capped Argentinian centre on a 2 week trial.

 
From EastCoastJessies.com:
 

Argentine centre Joaquin Dominguez has joined Edinburgh Rugby on a two-week trial from San Isidiro (SIC) in Buenos Aires.

The 26-year-old former age-grade internationalist arrived this morning and, after passing a medical assessment, began training this afternoon.

Joaquin Dominguez (26), centre

Born: 13 March 1987

Height: 6'3" (192cm), weight: 16st 3lb (103kg)

Previous clubs: San Isidiro (SIC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina under-19 (2006 World Championship in Dubai)

 
In keeping with Edinburgh's signing policy of bringing in slender, young, nippy midfield players.

I like the direction Edinburgh are heading this season. If we can continue to improve in the scrummaging department it will make a huge difference.

Edinburgh team that lost against Glasgow in first 1872 cup fixture 2012...

Tonks, Jones, Scott, King, T. Visser, Francis, Laidlaw, Yapp, Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, van der Westhuizen, Denton, Grant, McInally. Replacements : Hislop for Yapp (79), Titterrell for Ford (10), Cox for van der Westhuizen (16). Not Used: Cross, Talei, Rees, Atiga, Fife.

This year, assuming injuries are not an issue...

Blauw
Ford
Nel
Gchrist
VDV
Denton
Rennie
Du Preez
Laidlaw
Leonard
Visser
Scott
NDL
Walker
Tonks

That side could beat Glasgow, definitely!

bsando wrote:I like the direction Edinburgh are heading this season. If we can continue to improve in the scrummaging department it will make a huge difference.

Edinburgh team that lost against Glasgow in first 1872 cup fixture 2012...

Tonks, Jones, Scott, King, T. Visser, Francis, Laidlaw, Yapp, Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, van der Westhuizen, Denton, Grant, McInally. Replacements : Hislop for Yapp (79), Titterrell for Ford (10), Cox for van der Westhuizen (16). Not Used: Cross, Talei, Rees, Atiga, Fife.

This year, assuming injuries are not an issue...

Blauw
Ford
Nel
Gchrist
VDV
Denton
Rennie
Du Preez
Laidlaw
Leonard
Visser
Scott
NDL
Walker
Tonks

That side could beat Glasgow, definitely!

At tiddlywinks, perhaps!

Confirmed - Cornell Du Preez

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

bsando wrote:

That side could beat Glasgow, definitely!

At tiddlywinks, perhaps!

I wasn't aware Glasgow had the mental capability to play tiddlywinks

great news for edinburgh to get Du Preez. Didn't realise he was only 22!