Bulls try to banish breakdown blues
20 Feb 2012
Frans Ludeke says much of the Bulls’ fortunes will depend on their ability to remedy their breakdown ill-discipline.
Officiating at the breakdown has come into greater focus in recent years with a number of amendments to the laws governing that facet of play. Trends reflect that officials have progressed from heavily favouring the attacking team to shifting to a more balanced approach.
The Bulls’ defensive success in Super Rugby has rested largely on a strong tackle point and breakdown contest. They struggled in this area last season, conceding more breakdown penalties than any other franchise. Culprit in chief was openside flank Deon Stegmann, who, having been excellent in their 2009 and 2010 campaigns, was decidedly mediocre in 2011. For those reasons it was no surprise that they conceded more points and tries than any of the elite franchises.
Ludeke said this was deeply concerning for them and that much emphasis was placed on addressing their shortcomings.
‘There has been a directive from the IRB to clamp down on stifling play at the breakdown, but I think there will be an even greater balance between continuity and contest this season,’ Ludeke said.
‘Last year was poor for us from a breakdown perspective. We were the most disciplined side in 2009 and 2010 when we won it. To drop from being the best to being the worst is unacceptable. To be in the play-offs you have to excel at the breakdown. Your discipline has to be very, very good, especially against the top sides, who will punish you heavily if it isn’t.’
The Bulls open their campaign against the Sharks on Friday and Ludeke said he is prepared for a forward onslaught that will be a stern test of his stated objectives.
‘They have a dynamic and powerful pack and always look to take us on up front,’ he said. ‘They’ll want to play through many phases but our coaching staff was happy with the way we defended for multiple phases in our warm-up matches. Obviously those matches didn’t replicate match intensity in Super Rugby but structurally we’re pleased with how we’ve done.
‘It’s a South African derby on the opening weekend. I don’t have to tell you that it will be brutally physical. Standing strong at the tackle point will be important if we are going to achieve our goals at the breakdown.’
The Bulls were hard hit by a mass exodus of senior players at the end of 2011 and their cause has been further undermined by injuries to key men Wynand Olivier (hand) and Dewald Potgieter (cut tendons in his arm). There are also a number of fringe players nursing injuries of varying severity. Their depth will be tested but Ludeke proclaimed faith in his young bucks.
‘I have complete confidence in the players who will get their opportunities in the coming weeks. Their mettle will be tested in Super Rugby. Technically I have few concerns and mentally we try to build players of the highest calibre. I believe they’ll tick both boxes.’
By Ryan Vrede
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25 Comments
20 Feb 2012, 07:44 am
Im cautiously optimistic.
Cant see us winning it. But hoping we’ll do better than I initially expected.
20 Feb 2012, 07:56 am
this game really could go either way at this point imo.
20 Feb 2012, 08:02 am
Reyhan this is not the morning to irritate me with alliteration.
20 Feb 2012, 08:17 am
Stegman a breakdown liability?
Sorry, I didn’t get that, can you speak up please?
20 Feb 2012, 08:44 am
Happy 41st birthday, Joost.
Do hope there are many more in store for you.
20 Feb 2012, 08:48 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-3:
or in other words: the bulls really, really do not want to feel like the stormers do..its not nice…
20 Feb 2012, 09:00 am
First game of the season… Bulls at home… 50/50… Bulls favourites to win…
20 Feb 2012, 09:42 am
breakdown really was a problem last year…couldn’t work the ball through phases long enough before turning it over or losing it in contact.
ironically this area of play followed through to the boks.
and then when you get a kiwi twat reffing you……?!?
who won the cricket yesterday by the way?
20 Feb 2012, 09:43 am
what’s that kiwi quicks name….southbee or something?
not so chipper yesterday? Where was the grootbek sledging?
20 Feb 2012, 09:49 am
This is the umpteenth “banish breakdown blues” headline we’ve had from you. Consider it banned until further notice.
20 Feb 2012, 09:50 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-9: That was wonderful to watch.
20 Feb 2012, 10:46 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-11: This laatie opening the game with Amla is going to become an overnight millionairre with the IPL just 2 months away. Waht an innings! 13 sixes, fastest 100 and top score in a T20 International…
20 Feb 2012, 11:15 am
The bulls biggest problems is the style that they play, the do not play very wide and often bash it up with the forwards by creating pods near the ruck, but this is where they lose the ball the most. Teams no longer really need to jump into the ruck, the teams that has been the most successful are teams that have a good tackle technique and that are patient. The crusaders and All Blacks are the masters at counter rucking and knowing when to put numbers at the breakdown. They probably have the best ruck technique at the moment.
As for players such as Deon Stegmann, under the old laws he would have gotten away with quite a lot, Players such as Peacock and Brussouw are class players and there aren’t that many players that can do what they do.
My biggest concern for the bulls will be Stegmann and Flip vd Merwe. Flip gave away to many yellow cards by cynical play where as Stegman tries to hard to get to the ball rather than just making sure his tackle hit is right.
20 Feb 2012, 12:19 pm
I envisage that the bulls will be heading down the ladder this year with them challenging for the wooden spoon next year!!
20 Feb 2012, 12:49 pm
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-14: I reckon that you mother should have stuck with sheep….
You okes will never challange for a semi-spot, if it was not for this stupid conference system, so I will keep my mouth firmly shut, if I were you…
20 Feb 2012, 13:14 pm
I envisage the Bulls finishing higher then;
Brumbies
Force
Rebels
Waratahs
The Reds leading the Aus cause again…
20 Feb 2012, 14:20 pm
@kingcorn(kingcorn)-13:
In addition to what you have suggested, iam also worried about the Bulls fly-halve depth, Fouche seems to be Steyns deputy at the moment, no doubt talented,but its risky to say the least. We also look thin at hooker with WW behind Chilliboy after Gary’s departure.In terms of the tackle and ruck contest, i believe Steggies will improve, but with loosies such as Tecklenburg, possibly Stander ( Spies WILL be 8) and Arno Botha along with newish signing Potgieter, we should be more than competitive.
20 Feb 2012, 14:43 pm
@Blue Label(Blue Label)-15:
You sure about what you saying….no need to guard my words!! look at RSA in the try nations and world cup…it shows how they finished up in the super comp.
In Super competition Oz sides have won more title than your little boys!!
We will leave a semi spot for you guys so you guys can think we need you in super rugby…then the big boys from Oz and NZ will then move onto the finals!!!
20 Feb 2012, 14:44 pm
@Pot Blou Gevaar(Pot Blou Gevaar)-16:
Will the reds do well….they look good! I reckon the rebels will have a saffa big scalp this year.
20 Feb 2012, 14:46 pm
@Pot Blou Gevaar(Pot Blou Gevaar)-16:
Sure the bulls may finish higher than them but then one of those teams will donner them in the super six play off! that won’t be the reds as they will be resting for the semis.
20 Feb 2012, 14:56 pm
reds and wobblies will get found out this year.
20 Feb 2012, 14:57 pm
As of1996 , Oz sides have won 3 Super-rugby titles and SA have won 3 Super-rugby titles y@wallabie.(wallabie.)-19:
As of of 1996, Oz sides have won 3 Super-rugby titles, and SA sides have won 3 Super-rugby titles you waste of poef!
20 Feb 2012, 17:53 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-9: yes.. Southie has a mouthful on Friday! Pity he did not bowl too many over at Levi…
20 Feb 2012, 22:59 pm
Stegmann was not mediocre in 2011, the Bulls team was mediocre in 2011.
Steggies happened to be the best forward for the Bulls, among all the big names the Bulls have, and will continue to set workrate records annually and be Brussow’s worst nightmare (as seen 2 weekends ago and every other time they meet on the field).
Ja whatever, every year the same thing: this babble about the breakdown, and refs easing up.
21 Feb 2012, 02:00 am
Stegmann is very ordinary. He won’t come anywhere a Bok jersey even with HM in charge.
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