Rain will help Bully Boys
19 May 2006
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie believes the Bulls can pull of a shock victory against the Crusaders in the second Vodacom Super 14 semi-final if the weather is bad.
The ‘Tahs lost 26-17 to the Bulls at Loftus and 17-11 to the Crusaders in Chritchurch, so McKenzie is more qualified than most to make a prediction.
“I think the Bulls-Crusaders game is going to be very interesting,” said the coach. “If it were wet, that might change the circumstances. You could see in that Crusaders game against the Brumbies last week … it was a level pegging game until the last eight minutes and the Bulls, with their forward pack in wet conditions, could put a bit of pressure on.
“I don’t think anything is a given these days. But certainly the Crusaders deserve to be the favourites because they’ve been the best team all year.”
24 Comments
19 May 2006, 15:41 pm
Im on fir today!
19 May 2006, 15:41 pm
fire…
19 May 2006, 15:44 pm
Vinnie you look it in your portrait!!!
19 May 2006, 15:46 pm
No chance. The Bulls’ game plan needs the ball to be dry. They struggled playing at night at home because it wasn’t dry enough, never mind raining. If they had a good technical kicking gameplan it might pay off, but they don’t, they have a “bang it up with our big forwards” game plan. With a wet ball that just means more knocks, and even less posession for the Bulls.
19 May 2006, 15:52 pm
agree die barry…
we cant play in wet weather
19 May 2006, 16:11 pm
Agree, McKenzie is hallucinating – wet weather will fit the Kiwi’s much more than the bulls.
19 May 2006, 16:26 pm
Bulls will win tomorrow. Prepare for the Canes vs Bulls rematch to settle that try. Bulls to win first S14. Print these words and stick it on your fridge.
19 May 2006, 16:39 pm
The Bulls will be rolled over like usual. Their game plan is so out dated 10 man rugby is so predictable.
19 May 2006, 16:43 pm
Braithwaite what is even more predicatable is the amount of people who keep on saying “Their gameplan is so out dated 10 man rugby” If this is the case then please frankly anwser why they finished 4th out of 14?
Do the other 10 teams have an even more predictable game plan?
19 May 2006, 16:44 pm
even if it rain, mckenzie just provided the saders with ammo.
19 May 2006, 17:22 pm
GO SADERS
19 May 2006, 17:47 pm
Sies Vinnie.
Dowanna hear of your hairy experiences.
19 May 2006, 18:11 pm
its not gameplan, it is called style. and yes the bulls have a kind of bash-it-up style, but i don’t see anything wrong with that. Every team need to bash it up a bit to get the offensive structure right. and the gameplan? Neither team will have the perfect gameplan. If it really rains than we might see a typical stick-to-the-ball attitude, and i really do hope the bulls won’t be losing it so often at the breakdowns like the earlier saders match at loftus. If it won’t rain but will be quite wet and slippery, than expect plenty of kicks and punts, because the danger of a saders counterattack will be a lot smaller. That’s the area where saders might choke a bit.
And i know most of you wouldn’t agree, but McCaw might be a bit of a vulnerablity for them. Leo’o and Latimer were incredibly effective against a disrupted bulls loose trio, but with mcCaw there won’t be that same surprise factor. No doubt McCaw will be targeted which can break the morale of their loosies.
19 May 2006, 18:22 pm
I do not think our rain and can be compared to that in nz. Apparently there’s is freezing, colder than swimming in the cape sea.
Would hope it does not rain as nz is colder than sa as it is without cold-rain
19 May 2006, 19:08 pm
It better rain, it will be a close game if it does..
The Crusaders won’t be able to use their backs fully, a slow game plays into the hands of 3 Habana intercepts:)
20 May 2006, 00:19 am
You had better not target Macaw or they might sub him and unlease the mighty Latimer on you again…remember those 2 tries Bully boys!!
20 May 2006, 00:21 am
the weather is christchurch is pretty dam cold, and the reason the rain is chilly is because its probably snowing somewhere nearby.
even if it doesnt rain, the field will be damp throughout, lots of dew etc. the weather wont effect the saders game plan, they will play tight for first half and loosen it up with tries second half.
bulls will throw the kitchen sink at them, but i dont think they will break the line often enough.
agree DieBarry. bulls wil attack all over the field but their strengths are obviously close to the pack. the saders defensive system is very capable of defending any tactic.
habana will need to play similar game as tiquiri did last nite but for 80min for bulls to have a chance.
20 May 2006, 01:25 am
I do not necessarily agree with the premise anyway, but it is going to be a fine day in CHCH, which means that there will likely be a frost/dew on the ground (according to the weather prophets).
In other words, conditions are pretty much as good as your going to get in CHCH this time of year, except if there was a Nor-wester blowing.
20 May 2006, 07:55 am
does anyone know if an english radio station i can listen live to the game?
20 May 2006, 07:58 am
Naada, log onto newstalkzb.co.nz
they give a good commentary
good morning saffas, and good luck to the Bulls
20 May 2006, 08:07 am
Bulls can do it!!!!! We got the players and we got the exp this is second semi-final in 2 years. Bulls can do it!!!
20 May 2006, 08:49 am
thanks ricane, i will try it
20 May 2006, 08:53 am
Naada, I just tried and there is some reaally aweful music at the moment but they usually broadcast all home (NZ) games, so you might want to email and ask them.
20 May 2006, 09:12 am
Ricane – will have to try something else, they currently have a show on that will last for a couple of hours more. Thanks anyway
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