WALT DISNAE BELIEVE IT
Gunners star pinching himself that his big move has paid off so quickly
JACO VAN DER WALT last night admitted he didn’t expect such quick success when he joined Edinburgh.
The playmaker arrived from his native South Africa early in the Pro14 campaign.
And now he is preparing to face mighty Munster in the quarter-finals.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash in Limerick, van der Walt said: “I’m so excited.
“I didn’t think for a minute that I would be figuring in a quarter-final so soon. Reaching the knockout stages is a tremendous achievement for the team – and me. It’s a really big deal for all of us.”
The stand-off said: “To be honest I’d never even heard of Edinburgh before I signed for them. It has turned into a fantastic journey for me.
“I’m playing with a great bunch of guys and developed great friendships here.
“I knew all about Munster because my old defensive coach at the Golden Lions, JP Ferreira, is there now. It is going to be a really tough task for us but all the boys are ready.”
Van der Walt revealed he and compatriot Duhan van der Merwe want to use the Gunners as a stepping stone to Scotland qualification.
He said: “I want to do that 100 per cent and I will give my all during the three-year residency period.
“If I get the chance to wear that blue jersey one day I will BY DAVID KELSO be so proud. It will definitely be my new country then.”
Gunners reached the play-offs for the first time with victory over Glasgow Warriors last week in the 1872 Cup.
And former skipper Magnus Bradbury reckons the impact that coach Richard Cockerill has had on a team – that had finished no higher than eighth in the PRO14 era – should not be undersold.
He said: “Cockerill has brought a huge amount.
“He’s a very experienced guy, who’s had that taste of success, whether it’s with Leicester or other teams he has coached.
“He knows how to win, and has brought that in. We have won a lot of games under him and we are hungry for more.”
Former Scotland and Edinburgh star Ally Hogg will retire at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old, who won the last of his 48 caps in 2009, has played an instrumental part in helping the Newcastle Falcons reach the play-offs.
His match-winning try at Leicester last week proved decisive in securing a semi-final spot for the first time.
He said: ”I’ve had a good run. Things didn’t go so well when I joined but progression across all the competitions this season makes it obvious that it’s time to bow out on a high.”
I’d never even heard of Edinburgh before I signed for them JACO VAN DER WALT