Belligerent Bulls bash Reds

Belligerent Bulls bash Reds

24 Mar 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched the Bulls score seven tries in the second half for a 61-8 victory over the Reds in Pretoria.

It was a convincing performance from the Bulls as they dominated the defending champions, who would’ve relived memories of their 92-3 drubbing in 2007. While they will lament missed try-scoring opportunities in the opening 40, the hosts went on to convert their 16-3 half-time lead into a 53-point thrashing with a burly attacking showing. Most of the tries came from patient and well-worked build-up play, while they also showed an expansive side to their game when the match loosened up. Morne Steyn played his part with the boot, slotting all of his eight attempts at goal – a much needed confidence booster for the Springbok following a poor kicking display in the 29-23 Blues defeat a fortnight ago.

The Reds were always going to be underdogs as they arrived to Loftus with an injury-ravaged backline. They had to start the match with their fourth-choice flyhalf Dallan Murphy as the likes of Mike Harris and Ben Lucas were sidelined. Powerful winger Digby Ioane was also missing because of his five-week suspension.

They were clearly an unsettled side as the Bulls’ dangerous backs exposed the former’s defensive frailties after some early momentum. However, poor handling and finishing in the visitors’ red zone saw the home side fall short on several occasions. They still scored with their early ascendancy as the Reds’ ill-discipline was punished by Steyn, who converted three penalties. Jono Lance kicked the Reds’ only points of the half when he found the target once from the kicking tee.

The Bulls managed to cross the chalk once before the break when Zane Kirchner powered through from close range.

The Pretoria franchise returned a more clinical team after half-time as they ran rampant. The Reds, who suffered more injuries and looked a fatigued outfit, struggled to restrict the Bulls, who achieved their four-try bonus-point shortly before the final quarter as Wynand Olivier, Flip van der Merwe and Jacques Potgieter dotted down. The Reds claimed a consolation five-pointer via Dom Shipperley, but Jano Vermaak, CJ Stander, JJ Engelbrecht and Bjorn Basson all scored tries to seal the compelling win.

This is a great result for Frans Ludeke’s charges, who face a tough fortnight ahead as they tackle the Stormers in Cape Town and the Crusaders at home. They’ll need to build on to this victory in their following fixtures if they want a good chance of securing a play-off place.


231 Comments

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  • 151.Michael: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:30 pm

    AWESOME!

  • 152.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:30 pm

    @saru1983(saru1983)-142:

    Very true.

    1. Bismark
    2. Brits
    3. Chilli
    4. Liebenberg

  • 153.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:30 pm

    mal try jaques

  • 154.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:31 pm

    @saru1983(saru1983)-142: Brits?

  • 155.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:31 pm

    OMW sideshow Bob can’t tackle!

  • 156.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:32 pm

    Dammit Kirchner, that shouldnt have been a try! thats what separates S15 quality from Test level quality!

  • 157.groen: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:32 pm

    my superbru this weekend is taking a pounding _)

  • 158.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:32 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-152: Strauss is top 3. Bismark, Chili, Strauss.

  • 159.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:33 pm

    Very entertaining game, watching it with the Missus :-D

  • 160.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:34 pm

    @Papoose(papaown)-156:
    I am not sure he would have prevented the try but it was a wear effort you are right there

  • 161.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:35 pm

    @Kleuter(Kleuter)-158:

    Yeah, he isalso good. Marginal between him and Liebenberg imo.
    Personally I would go for Bismark to start and Brits on the bench.

  • 162.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:35 pm

    #5

  • 163.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:35 pm

    Ek bly ‘n Bul

  • 164.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:36 pm

    can we start thinking yet of the 92-3 scoreline? :-D :-D :-D :-D

  • 165.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:36 pm

    @Papoose(papaown)-154: schalk brits

  • 166.Michael: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:36 pm

    Those Loftus babes they keep showing don’t hold a candle to the Capetonian beauties :-)

  • 167.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:36 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-161: Will keep an eye on Liebenberg later.

  • 168.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:38 pm

    Hmf

    Who wanted Ewen for Bok coach

  • 169.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:38 pm

    ummmm , Where do the bulls find those type of fans??

  • 170.Siyavuna: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:38 pm

    Where can I stream this game from…the regulars like vipbox arw down :-(

  • 171.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:39 pm

    @saru1983(saru1983)-165: i am aware , just dont rate him higher than the current crop

  • 172.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:40 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-168: come on Dawn, they’ve had a string of injuries just like the Lions, doesnt take away from Mitchell being a good coach either?

  • 173.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:41 pm

    When is Quade back from rehab

  • 174.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:42 pm

    never thought i’d say this but the bulls backline play is years ahead of the stormers with all their stars.Habs should have stayed at least their he wouldnt just b a tackling machine

  • 175.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:43 pm

    Fouche has a massive boot

  • 176.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:43 pm

    @saru1983(saru1983)-174: Most definitely , Coetzee and Fleck not doing their reputations any good@all

  • 177.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:43 pm

    The reds are off the roids.

  • 178.grant10: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:44 pm

    Habana won’t even make the Bulls Vodacom Cup team

  • 179.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:44 pm

    Massacre.

    Tac will have a ball next week blowing up a storm from PE.

  • 180.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:44 pm

    That was Greyling’s try

  • 181.groen: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:45 pm

    can;t watch the game hows Sadie playing ?

  • 182.Michael: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:45 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-180: Greyling is having a monster of a game.

  • 183.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:46 pm

    JJ

  • 184.Michael: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:46 pm

    @groen(groen)-181: He was overshadowed by Olivier.

  • 185.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:46 pm

    Go JJ.
    Best finisher in SA.

  • 186.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:46 pm

    Tac will be here soon

  • 187.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:47 pm

    bulls playing stormers rugby and stormers playing bulls rugby.
    coetzee doesnt have a clue

  • 188.Michael: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:49 pm

    Hougaard gets involved very nicely. Class act.

    I like the look of Fouche too.

  • 189.groen: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:49 pm

    @Michael(mikeybrass)-184: Thanx

  • 190.Michael: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:49 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-185: Pieter Rossouw’s influence shows.

  • 191.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:49 pm

    was someone jokin about a 93-3 scoreline?

  • 192.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:49 pm

    S nice to be a Bull for the foreseeable future

  • 193.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:50 pm

    @saru1983(saru1983)-187:

    It all depends on the opposition.
    Bulls won’t play this type of rugby agaisnt Coetzee’s team next week.
    They will not be allowed to.

  • 194.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:51 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-192:

    Next week you will be brought back to earth and reality with a huge bang.

  • 195.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:51 pm

    Papoose called it. 93-8

  • 196.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:51 pm

    Reds are out on their feet I feel sorry for Genia who has never given up

  • 197.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:52 pm

    try!

  • 198.Papoose: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:52 pm

    hahahaha, TMO says “Johnathan please be patient”

  • 199.saru1983: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:53 pm

    @Robzim(Robzim)-193: lets first see how we do tonite

  • 200.nikoli: Reply to this comment
    24 Mar 2012, 18:55 pm

    “It’s a wave of blue … and a parting of the red sea” out of your boots Hugh!

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