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Van der Merwe makes Edinburgh return as part of 'ridiculous' back three
Scotland international and British & Irish Lion Duhan van der Merwe is set to make his ‘second debut’ for Edinburgh against Benetton at DAM Health Stadium.
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It will be the first time he’s played for Edinburgh since 2021, having left for the now-defunct Worcester Warriors last year.
Van der Merwe quickly became a cult hero in the Scottish capital after scoring 32 tries in 67 appearances for Edinburgh in his first stint at the club. He will be part of a truly mouth-watering Edinburgh back three which includes Argentine international Emiliano Boffelli at full-back and current URC top-try scorer Darcy Graham.
What a dream back 3 that would be ? pic.twitter.com/H13F3UctwK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2022
Scotland cap Mark Bennett returns from injury to start at outside centre alongside James Lang. Blair Kinghorn and Henry Pyrgos make up a familiar half-back combo.
“We were obviously disappointed with last weekend’s result but, after further review, there were a lot many positives to take into this week’s training and the squad have reacted brilliantly,” said head coach Mike Blair. “We’ve had a really strong week of training and the guys have been switched on and fully focussed, ready take the field again this Saturday night where’ll face a Benetton side full of confidence.
Edinburgh unleash Duhan van der Merwe against Benetton in a frankly ridiculous back-three. Mark Bennett back too.
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne starts for Benetton (who are docked points in the commentators championship for naming their team by video).
Join us tomorrow @PremierSportsTV pic.twitter.com/vbdFTX3zB9
— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) October 14, 2022
“We’re delighted to name Duhan [van der Merwe] in the starting line-up and he’ll no doubt get an excellent reception from our supporters who’ll be excited to see him back in Edinburgh colours.
“The squad are eager to get back to winning ways and the crowd at DAM Health Stadium will have a huge part to play in driving us forward for the full 80 minutes.”
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EDINBURGH:
15. Emiliano Boffelli
14. Darcy Graham
13. Mark Bennett
12. James Lang
11. Duhan van der Merwe
10. Blair Kinghorn
9. Henry Pyrgos
1. Pierre Schoeman
2. David Cherry
3. WP Nel
4. Sam Skinner
5. Grant Gilchrist
6. Nick Haining
7. Luke Crosbie
8. Viliame Mata
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Adam McBurney
17. Boan Venter
18. Luan de Bruin
19. Jamie Hodgson
20. Ben Muncaster
21. Charlie Shiel
22. Charlie Savala
23. Chris Dean
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments