Everitt wary of 'embarrassed' Lions
Yesterday at 07:29 AM
Edinburgh coach Sean Everitt isn’t reading too much into the Lions’ heavy loss to Glasgow ahead of the teams’ round-of-16 Challenge Cup playoff on Friday night.
The Lions were smashed 42-0 by the Warriors in windy conditions at Scotstoun Stadium last weekend.
However, coach Cash van Rooyen’s men will take heart from the fact that they kept Glasgow scoreless in the second half, and beat Edinburgh 55-21 at Ellis Park last October, having led 48-0 at half time.
Everitt certainly hasn’t forgotten that Highveld hammering.
"I think we learned valuable lessons there in the first half against the Lions," he said. "We saw Glasgow blitz them as well in the first 40 minutes in really difficult conditions."
Everitt, who was head coach of the Sharks from 2019 to 2023, expects a far better performance from the Joburg-based franchise at Hive Stadium.
"I know the Lions really well and I know the individuals there, they're fighters,” he said. “They've been good in the URC up until that game so you can't judge them on that game. They're a good all-round team.
"The defence was strong and they showed that in the second half against Glasgow and they've got some X-factor players there that can turn the game around very quickly which we found out in Johannesburg,” he added.
"It's a difficult team to play against and at the same time I'm sure they're going to be looking to bounce back because they probably feel a bit embarrassed about that result. Like I said, it's not because they're the Lions but they take a lot of pride in their effort."
MORE: Lions take a 'hard look' at themselves
While the Lions have dropped to 14th in the Vodacom URC, Everitt said a four-match home run could see them shoot up the log.
“They're a team on the up. They're a bunch of youngsters. They don't have any fear and they're willing to mix it with everyone.
“I think everyone is probably surprised by how well they've done so far in the URC. In the URC they've got a lot to play for. They're going home post-EPCR and they've got four home games. So they'll probably be looking at a top four if results go their way.”
STATE OF THE EURO CUPS: Trio lead SA's challenge
Everitt said Edinburgh already had a playoff mentality going into Friday’s match due to their current situation in the URC (eighth on the log with just two wins from their last five matches).
"We're in a knockout week, every week, so we're in the same situation as we were last year," he added.
Photo: Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images
The post Everitt wary of ’embarrassed’ Lions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
