Super Rugby elite to test Bulls’ credentials
19 Mar 2012
RYAN VREDE writes the Bulls can lay down a marker with victories against three of last year’s semi-finalists in the next three weeks.
The schedule hasn’t been kind to the Bulls, pitting them against the defending champion Reds and seven-time winners Crusaders at Loftus, with a trip to the Stormers sandwiched in between.
The Bulls started the season well with wins against the Sharks and Cheetahs, but come off a defeat to the Blues, a side they were widely expected to beat. The manner of that loss disappointed them. Coach Frans Ludeke and captain Pierre Spies lamented their lack of composure under the pressure the Blues created with their structured and largely dominant defence, as well as their ill-discipline which allowed flyhalf Gareth Anscombe to keep the Blues out of reach.
The Blues profited from two errors to score their two tries, but their ability to successfully suppress their natural expansive instinct in favour of a more conservative, territory-based game was key. They also matched the Bulls physically and at the set phases, which compromised their host’s cause to settle into their suffocating pattern.
The Reds, Stormers and Crusaders will pose superior threats in this regard. The Reds capitulated in the face of an inspired second half performance from the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday, but they again showed their ability to mix it in the heavies and indeed to play a pragmatic brand when the opposition demands it. Certainly their threat will be reduced if Mike Harris fails to recover from a hamstring injury sustained against the Sharks. Harris is among the tournament’s most accurate goal-kickers and will be central to any victory at Loftus.
On the derby at Newlands, the Bulls have in the recent past felt the Stormers were vulnerable to the tactic of kicking deep and waiting for them to succumb to the temptation of running the ball back. They would back their chasing line to dominate and/or isolate ball carriers, at which time they would force the penalty or turnover.
However, the Stormers have reconstructed their attacking approach to something that closely resembles the one the Bulls have implemented successfully against them. Furthermore they are no longer a soft touch in the set phases. Indeed a strong case can be made that they are superior to the Pretoria franchise. They have the capacity, through their excellent and disciplined defence, to turn the tables on their great rivals, forcing them to revert to an expansive brand they are not as adept at.
Likewise, the Crusaders have often forced the Bulls to veer from their trusted method, and while the absence of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw dilutes their potency, they remain formidable opponents with the ability to stifle the Bulls in the same manner the Stormers can. They do, however, possess the added threat of superior ball-in-hand attack, particularly in their back division.
Ludeke explained to this site that the matches leading up to last week’s bye as ‘phase one’ of their campaign. The second phase will be the most testing of the tournament’s pool phase. Home wins are crucial if they hope to top the conference. They dropped four games in Pretoria in 2011. Ludeke has continually stressed the importance of solidity on their patch. That starts with a victory over the Reds on Saturday.
Losses in the next three weeks won’t be terminal to their ambitions but it will certainly have a destabilising effect, particularly with a testing tour on the horizon. Victories, first prize being three of them on the bounce, would instil an invaluable measure of self-belief.
61 Comments
19 Mar 2012, 05:17 am
Rather the Refs and Saders at home than away. You have to aim to beat everybody in this comp. Bulls are still looking pretty good this year.
19 Mar 2012, 07:04 am
bulls to beat reds and crusaders…dark horse is the stormers.
nice win by the sharks, lots of new respect…
19 Mar 2012, 07:36 am
Bulle – come out strong!
19 Mar 2012, 08:09 am
I think the Bulls will beat the Reds…
19 Mar 2012, 08:12 am
According to this site, the Bulls are Playing Twice this weekend!
23 March 2012
Bulls vs Hurricanes
Auckland 8:35am – 10:35am (SAST)
24 March 2012
Bulls vs Reds
Pretoria 5:05pm – 7:05pm (SAST)
19 Mar 2012, 08:12 am
According to this site, the Bulls are Playing Twice this weekend!
23 March 2012
Bulls vs Hurricanes
Auckland 8:35am – 10:35am (SAST)
24 March 2012
Bulls vs Reds
Pretoria 5:05pm – 7:05pm (SAST)
19 Mar 2012, 08:14 am
The Bulls had a shocking opening ten minutes against the Blues that derailed their momentum. They became more and more frantic rather trying to run their way out of trouble. Granted the ref was a very big liability at the breakdown, but their composure was a big issue. You have to put that down to inexperience. Regardless of the outcome of the next three weeks, the Bulls will end this season stronger than expected. In the context of this season though, the next three will be make or break in my opinion. Such a young side, they will need to build their confidence before playing away from home. That said, they are every bit good enough to defeat all three.
The Reds are severely lacking Cooper, they base so much of their pay off of him and have lost that variation that made them so lethal last year. The Bull’s target will be to dominate the set-pieces, dominate the breakdown and the Reds will crumble.
I haven’t been impressed by the Saders so far. They will however challenge the Bulls physicality, this will be the key for the away side. If the Bulls do not front up physically then it can get ugly.
The Stormers are a mixed bag. I’m still not overly impressed by this side as a team though they have great individuals. Beat them up up-front keep them in their own half. It will be the hardest of the three in my opinion.
19 Mar 2012, 08:17 am
@Mauvis(notabullbutashark)-6:
well, it seems many things are said twice on this site…!!
19 Mar 2012, 08:23 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-7: The Bulls need a captain and Spies aint it… He should’ve been able to regroup after their poor start, but they didn’t.
I agree with the rest of your comments. Saders don’t look like themselves this year. Reds have lost their fizz without Cooper and Stormers seem to be winning, but winning ugly.
The competition seems very wide open this year with no team really showing any form of dominance.
19 Mar 2012, 08:49 am
@ufo(ufo)-8:
19 Mar 2012, 09:01 am
Elite?? Not this weekend they wont be, not saying they not capable though, just obvious Reds will be missing more than just QC this weekend, should be an interesting game, Bulls will be happy sharks beat them.
19 Mar 2012, 09:03 am
@ufo(ufo)-8: hahahaha was going to post that until I saw your reply.
Congratulations to the Bulls on their 4 pointer this weekend.
I hope there are no serious injuries,
Maybe a sprained wrist from an unfortunate “lather rinse repeat” accident by Wynand Olivier perhaps……
19 Mar 2012, 09:05 am
@welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-2:
Stormers are top of SA Conf.. How can they be the dark hours?? I reckon Sharks are the dark hours, very ominous but extremely capable of “Winning”
any team.
19 Mar 2012, 09:11 am
What was so evident in the first 10-20 of the previous Bulls/Blues & Sharks/Reds was the reminder how quick the Auz & Kiwi backs can score tries.. Think back to the Tri-Nations etc..
What was also so evident in Sharks/Reds & Bulls/Cheetahs is when or if the SA backs step up and Mach the Kiwi/Wallabies the SA teams ar devastating and near impossible to stop with the forward dominance/pressure.. Works for any team really.. Solid Defence Solid attack, best line of defence is a solid line of attack..
19 Mar 2012, 09:13 am
Horse*** FFS auto-Text damn u!!!
How “GroooOoling”..
19 Mar 2012, 09:18 am
@Guns(Guns)-13:
what i mean is that of the three teams the bulls face next its the stormers who pose the most serious threat to the bulls, that’s all.
barring injury they look like the hardest team to beat (at home too), whereas the reds have injuries & suspended players + the sharks have shown how it can be done, also the crusaders are looking competitive but ordinary (missing players too).
19 Mar 2012, 09:19 am
The Bulls to stampede the Cruz and Reds…
I reckon the gonna rub the Cruz and Reds faces in a whole pile of Bulls poo-patties…!!
But hope the Stormers have a lucky day at the office when the Bulls play us…!!
19 Mar 2012, 09:29 am
Anybody got some spare tickets for the Stormers/Bulls game?
19 Mar 2012, 09:43 am
@ufo(ufo)-17:
You are bleating like grantie.
Hardenthefuckup.
19 Mar 2012, 09:50 am
FYI
Carter is back for Saders – starting off the bench this weekend.
19 Mar 2012, 09:52 am
@welcome to my life, hugh…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-16: I Agree!
19 Mar 2012, 09:53 am
Guns you are kuk funny.
19 Mar 2012, 09:53 am
if the proper bulls pitch, the reds will take 50 next weekend.
19 Mar 2012, 09:55 am
on another note, chuffed that the sharks klapped the reds and big Up’s to the Cheetahs for wrecking the rebels.
19 Mar 2012, 09:57 am
Yes taahirah zar1000 each
19 Mar 2012, 09:58 am
M.Steyn had a week off to find his navigation and Hougie will be back so Bulls should take care of Reds and Crusaders.
19 Mar 2012, 10:00 am
Easy peasy
Where is Tacitus
19 Mar 2012, 10:17 am
Easy win for the Bulls this weekend. Reds are down to there 4th flyhalf, and still without Fainga in midfield and now also without dangerman Ioane. Next week against Stormers will be difficult, but the Bulls have the mental adge over us, for years now….
The Crusdaders are always difficult, even without Carter and Makkou!!
19 Mar 2012, 10:27 am
I don’t understand how the writer can say the schedule is unkind to the Bulls.
Sharks, Blues, Reds, Crusaders all at home? Surely you’d rather play them at home than away? On the contrary, I reckon it’s a pretty kind schedule. You could have had to play your two main local rivals away first two games up and be scooting on your 4 game away tour now.
19 Mar 2012, 10:35 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-29:
there are a lot of things you don’t understand my child.
19 Mar 2012, 10:38 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-30: Lol, how condescending. Please enlighten me then how this is an “unkind” schedule. You may wish to compare to the schedule of other teams in your answer, say, Cheetahs and Sharks.
Thanks, in anticipation.
19 Mar 2012, 10:51 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-24:
yip, i have a new found respect for the sharkies after their gutsy win.
only problem is their farking supporters on this site and those booing basturds at kings park are coming close to undoing it.
19 Mar 2012, 10:52 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-31:
you seem very bitter.
always moaning.
were you denied the breast as a baby?
19 Mar 2012, 11:00 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-33: Who’s moaning? Just pointing out a rather inaccurate statement. Of course, you’d rather us all believe your Bulls are up against it, that way if they slip up at home you can shake your head and tut and point to the obviously “unkind” schedule?
Nail on the head?
19 Mar 2012, 11:02 am
Oh and I am unashamedly anti Bulls and anti Stormers, so it’s pleasing to me that you read it as “bitterness”. It has the desired effect then! Go Sharks!
19 Mar 2012, 11:03 am
Still waiting for your answer btw. How is it an unkind schedule?
19 Mar 2012, 11:11 am
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-35:
of course it’s bitterness, you are the biggest crybaby here.
you make skopbollocks look like a well-adjusted, easygoing individual.
get yourself a pint of half and half and put a teat on the top.
19 Mar 2012, 11:39 am
The Bulls have a new team, which will take time to develop as a unit.
It is therefore not ideal for them to have as their first 6 games the Sharks, Blues, Reds and Crusaders at home as well as the Stormers and Cheetahs away.
It is a baptism of fire for the youngsters and could easily have seen the newlook Bulls team with 0 from 6 at that point. The fact that they are 2 from 3 right now is a huge boost, and if they can win 2 from the next 3 and be 4 from 6 before they go on tour they will be looking good all things considered.
19 Mar 2012, 11:43 am
Morning.
19 Mar 2012, 11:52 am
@lepel(lepel)-9: I tend to agree with you. I was never convinced that he was the right man for the job. Given that Chiliboy has actually been playing very well, and has leadership experience, I am very surprised that he was not given the job. Perhaps something that I don’t know behind the scenes? Either way, Spies needs to get it together. Having been in the company of Victor for so long means there are no excuses.
19 Mar 2012, 11:57 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-38: I agree there is a lot to be optimistic about. That win over the Cheetahs is to date the most complete showing by any side in the competition! And against a quality side that can hurt you. They will have their blips, but to recover from the loss of three legends (Bakkies, Du Preez, Matfield) and the loss of two world class player (Gurthro, Danie) is nothing short of extraordinary! I can’t think of any side that could do that.
19 Mar 2012, 13:20 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-19:
hahaha…
you sound like someone who didn’t get any this weekend… gives you the ghrils hey…?
seems you need to thicken up your hide man…
“the minute you let it under your skin…
then you begin…
to ma-ake it badder….”
19 Mar 2012, 14:58 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-41:
The Bulls look good.
But calling a win against a Cheetahs side that lost against the 3 out of 4 and who just managed to beat the Rebels “the most complete showing by any side” is a bit far fetched.
19 Mar 2012, 15:01 pm
The Vodacom Bulls were given a massive boost on returning to Loftus Versfeld from their enforced bye with the news that both midfielder Johann Sadie and lock Flip van der Merwe have been cleared of injury.
The Bulls face the defending champion Queensland Reds, a side they desperately want to beat in this year’s competition, and look set to be able to field a fully-fit side if things go well.
Sadie injured his shoulder in the opening game of Vodacom Super Rugby this season against the Sharks, and has been on the sideline for three weeks now. His return to training on Monday was probably the most positive aspect of the session, which also saw halfback Francois Hougaard back in action.
Hougaard has served his one match ban and is set to return to the No 9 spot against Wallaby halfback Will Genia in a battle that is mouth-watering on its own.
Van der Merwe, meanwhile, is back from his ankle injury, sustained in the loss against the Blues and while there were fears that it might be more serious, a week off has done wonders for the big lock and he is set to return to action.
The only real worry at the moment is Bok flanker Deon Stegmann, who withdrew from the Bulls team on the eve of the Blues game with a hamstring injury, and while he was one of the few who didn’t take the field Monday at training, it is seem more as a precaution than anything else.
Stegmann will know on Tuesday what his fate will be and whether he will be part of the Bulls squad for the Reds match.
The Bulls are sure to take all factors into account with Stegmann as the lack of a fetcher was one of their problems at the breakdown against the Blues, who fielded two and were rewarded for their adventure.
Sadie’s return is likely to mean a drop to the bench for youngster Francois Venter as Wynand Olivier and the former Stormers player will link up in the midfield.
19 Mar 2012, 15:57 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-44:
there’s going to be some major blood on the dancefloor imo….
good, very good.
19 Mar 2012, 16:25 pm
this
19 Mar 2012, 16:26 pm
is
19 Mar 2012, 16:27 pm
for
19 Mar 2012, 16:28 pm
the
19 Mar 2012, 16:29 pm
bulls!
.
.
50….
19 Mar 2012, 16:30 pm
98 more to go….
19 Mar 2012, 16:44 pm
Saders to mark their territory again at Loftus – cant wait !
19 Mar 2012, 17:14 pm
@stew(stew)-52: saders last won @ Moftus in 2008, that’s a long time ago
blackadder is winless there.
19 Mar 2012, 18:56 pm
Bulls will be competitive at home. I have a feeling they will struggle on tour though.
19 Mar 2012, 20:10 pm
Come on….the reds have won it , the Saders have won it and the Bulls have won it in recent years. They are Super Rugby Elite.
The stormpies are still the wannabees. They have won nada and have been found wanting every year.
19 Mar 2012, 22:03 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-37: you know, for a self professed funny man, you’re not very funny!
ufo beat me to it, read his post #42, unfunny funny man.
20 Mar 2012, 06:13 am
spoon @ 56
hey, don’t use my post out of context… or at all…
my banter with gunther has got everything to do do with humour…
you wanna stir theshit…? have the balls to use your own spoon… even if everyone knows you’re creatively challenged…
20 Mar 2012, 07:26 am
Poor spooner.
Dog by the balls.
Again.
Yip yap.
20 Mar 2012, 07:35 am
I see the usual getalonggang bunchocunts don’t like a bit of Shark insight eh?
Hmmm…
Far too farken cozy here with “regulars” and Keo “Captains of Industry” by far…
20 Mar 2012, 10:10 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-59: whatafarkenbunchoftwatstheyare
21 Mar 2012, 02:04 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-53: “saders last won @ Moftus in 2008, that’s a long time ago”
Just 3 Loftus losses since then, not that big deal.
Last Bulls or rather Northern Transvaal win in Christchurch was 16 years ago – now THAT’S a long time.
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