Lack of bonus points not a major concern for Edinburgh, says Currie
EDINBURGH’S attacking game has not been a source of frustration, insists centre Matt Currie, despite the club’s lack of try bonus points meaning they remain in a scrap for the play-offs.
Edinburgh have the fewest bonus points of any team in the BKT United Rugby Championship having accumulated just three all season.
They host Zebre at Hive Stadium tomorrow night knowing they need to win, ideally with a bonus point, to stay in contention.
Currie said: “It’s definitely something that we’ve worked on a fair amount. I wouldn’t say we’re overly frustrated, because we know it can click.
“I think at times we’ve maybe not been as clinical as we want to be, but I think we’ve shown aspects of flair and what we can do as a team throughout the season.
“Towards the end of the season hopefully we can show a bit more of what we’re about in terms of our attack.”
Currie said the team want to show people, including their own supporters, what they can deliver.
The 23-year-old added: “You want to show people what you’re about, and I suppose people have maybe seen the non-clinical side of us at times, but I think we’ve definitely got it and we’ve definitely improved, in training anyway.
“We’ve worked hard on it, and as I say, hopefully towards the end of the season we’ll show that improvement.”
This season has been a breakthrough campaign for Currie, who has made 19 appearances this season including 18 as a starter.
Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt has put his faith in the young centre and Currie said the South African has helped improve his game.
Currie added: “He’s big on his game management, which is probably something that personally I wanted to improve on, and I could improve on, just the way I see the game.
“I think he’s definitely helped with that side of things, and as I say he’s played me on both centres and wing, so I think for my development it’s been huge, for my skill set and my understanding of the game.”
If Edinburgh do negotiate their final three matches of the regular season successfully, there is a chance they could meet Glasgow Warriors in a quarter-final.
Despite the Warriors’ unbeaten home record in the URC this season, Currie said a trip to Scotstoun wouldn’t be the worst outcome for the capital club.
“Going through to Scotstoun might not be the worst thing,” he added. “South Africa would be a tough one to go away again after just being there, but as I say, we’ll just take it one step at a time, and you’re going to have to beat some good teams either way.”
After touring with Scotland and featuring in the non-cap ‘A’ match against Chile two years ago, and given his good form, Currie should be preparing for another trip to the Americas this summer.
A maiden Test cap surely awaits the former Merchiston School pupil, but he insists his focus remains on the URC season.
He added: “I’d relish the opportunity to go away again, but the URC and the end of the season is probably my focus at the moment.
“I’ve got a decent way to go in my game and a lot I want to improve on, so if I can keep focusing on that, and if the opportunity does come about, I’d be hugely excited about that.”