Ryan up for second row scrap

Ryan up for second row scrap

22 Mar 2007

Highlanders lock James Ryan is wary of the threat posed by Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

Statistically the Bulls are the Super 14’s leading side in terms of lineout wins and lineout turnovers, due in no small part to Matfield’s potency in these facets of play. Ryan lauded both him and Botha saying that he is braced for “a huge challenge”.

“They are two of the best locks in the world and it is a great challenge. Playing them, you don’t ever have to struggle to get up for the game,” Ryan told the NZPA.

“Victor is such a good lineout man because he facilitates the lineout so well. One thing he does is control it and makes sure everything is going smoothly around him. That is a big factor in lineout success.

“He has good people around him, and his props are probably as tall as me. He also has a great ability to read what the opposition is doing in lineouts,” he said.

“Bakkies Botha is more confrontational. He gets around the field and does damage in that way.”

The Bulls were poor in their 32-10 loss to the Crusaders last week, and face another stern challenge this weekend at a ground they’ve only won at twice in Super Rugby history. Ryan however stressed that they were not complacent going into the match.

“The fact the Crusaders beat them has not helped us. We know they are a big pack and that we will have to muscle up at times, and we won’t shy away from that.”


7 Comments

  • 1.chch: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 06:18 am

    Go the Highlanders

  • 2.horiman: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 07:44 am

    Chch, what James Ryan is really trying to say is, “I dont really care for their reputaions, this is my last big chance to impress GH”

  • 3.Bagel: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 07:45 am

    Bulls should win this one on paper. Just gotta sort themselves out mentally after that beating…

  • 4.wls1: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 07:49 am

    Bulls i think will rock up missing mommy to much.
    this will result in another powder puff balls up.
    why dont they just pay for their Folks to go on tour with them?

  • 5.Namblack: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 08:07 am

    Highlanders have been playing good rugby their last few matches.Should be an interesting contest.

  • 6.cane: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 11:20 am

    Ryan on Ryan. Good Article.

  • 7.Bruiser: Reply to this comment
    22 Mar 2007, 11:23 am

    Bulls all the way, Ryan is over-rated anyway, should be illegal for such a big unit to be so uninvloved

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