Brittle Bulls edge Rebels
4 May 2012
RYAN VREDE watched a fine attacking performance from the Bulls undermined by a poor defensive one in their 41-35 victory over the Rebels.
From a Bulls perspective this match should be remembered less for the five tries they scored and more for the awful defensive display that allowed the lowly Rebels to run in five of their own. They are undoubtedly South Africa’s best attacking force but if their defensive struggles continue they won’t mount a serious title challenge. A better side would have scored more often and indeed beaten them on the strength of their defensive performance tonight.
They had secured a four-try bonus point by half-time but, tellingly, had allowed the Rebels to do the same. Their gainline fight was weak, allowing the Rebels to consistently run at an unset defensive line. They scored almost every time they entered the Bulls’ red zone and the ease with which they did so should be deeply concerning.
Only a Morne Steyn penalty separated the sides at half-time (31-28). The Springboks have recruited Bulls defence coach John McFarland, who has built a reputation for forging his sides into formidable defensive units. But he’ll have a significant amount of work to do in the weeks ahead. This was expected to be their easiest assignment defensively, with the Waratahs, Chiefs and Highlanders in wait.
They will, however, draw confidence from their potency on attack. Their primary strike runners brutally exposed the Rebels’ own defensive vulnerabilities, bossing the tackle fight, which allowed them to control the flow and tempo of the match when they were in possession.
There will also be renewed optimism about Morne Steyn’s match-winning potential as a goal-kicker. The Springbok flyhalf has been inconsistent with his kicking to date, but tonight his rhythm seemed to have returned, evident by him landing a clutch of touchline conversions.
The match settled down in the second half then exploded into life going into the final quarter. When JJ Engelbrecht touched down and Steyn banked his fifth conversion of the evening you thought the Bulls would close the game out. But just three minutes later the Rebels cut their line once more in a move that culminated in Cooper Vuna grabbing his second try of the match. Kurtley Beale had matched Steyn with the boot and kicked the extras to set up a tense final 10 minutes with the Rebels trailing by three.
Steyn sunk a penalty with eight to play and the Bulls did enough to hold but they will be acutely aware of fundamental flaws that need to be addressed.
411 Comments
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5 May 2012, 01:16 am
congrats bulls.we can all bleat and lament about your defense but at the end of the day you got the five points that matters.
5 May 2012, 02:10 am
Why wasnt the bulls player not given a red for that punch!
5 May 2012, 03:52 am
The ugly – Pierre spies. this guy is absolute rubbish. he was no where in this game. hardly ran the ball, cant give a decent hand off and his tackling technique is worse than morne steyn and thats saying something. Spies disappearance from the game led to houggie making 21 tackles!!!! no scrumhalf should never make that many tackles but it shows how he had to cover for spies the whole game.
DEFENCE was shiiiiittte. Is the bulls defence coach the new boks coach? this guy is terrible. Where was the ruck and close defence. There were holes everywhere! why no bring in Stormers defence coach for the BOks?
Bulls NEED Deon Steggman back. This guy needs to replace Spies. The bulls seriously lack a fetcher and therefore are not able to slow the ball down at the breakdown. This is exactly the type of play that Beale loved.
Why the hell is JJ playing centre. why is he playing instead of Sadie. SADIE IS A CENTRE AND JJ IS A WING SO PLAY THEM IN THEIR PROPER POSITIONS!!!!!!!! JJ is not able to create space for his team and does not pass. He is a GREAT winger but not a great centre. PLUS his defence today was shocking.
THe good – Fransois Hougaard – great game my man. 21 tackles!!!!! must be a super rugby record for a back! HOwever, it would be nice to see u snipe around the ruck a bit more or go blindside as u have the speed. but GREAT game overall. First player i would name on the teamsheat.
The brilliant – CJ STANDER. this guy is GREAT. hard as nails. tackles like crazy and has a strong, low running technique (unlike the Pierre “the wimp” spies). When Stegman returns, Stander better not be relegated to the bench. Spies needs to leave the 22 entirely. I have heard that Bulls Kenyan flanker is rather good, Danial Adongo. Why not give him a shot on the bench?
Summing up my rant, yes we got the 5 pointer. However, we were playing the rebels. this sort of terrible defence will be destoryed by the like of Kahui, SBW and Cruden ( as JJ and olivier cant communicate). Tamalolo will power past the gain line on every run and Spies will be no where to be seen.
Best bulls team for the rest of the season and PLayoffs (hopefully):
1. Greyling
2. Ralapelle
3. Kruger
4. Flip (this guy was also terrible. didnt see him the whole game)
5. Kruger (needs to control disapline)
6. Stegman
7. Potgeiter
8. Stander
9. Hougie
10. Steyn
11. Basson
12. Olivier
13. Sadie
14. JJ
15. Kircher
5 May 2012, 07:36 am
@ wallabie………you call that a punch? it was a little poke in the ribs FFS. Harden TFU dude
5 May 2012, 08:17 am
@jackbill(jackbill)-403:
Danial Adongo will be a Springbok. Reminds me of a young Jerry Collins.
Any news on Adongo? if fit, should be getting gametime. VERY disappointed with Spies lack of influence in games recently. NOT imposing himself as much as I would like.
CJ Stander – a young Wahl Bartmann in the making. Improvement in his fetching skills and be good coming off the bench. BOks not much depth at 6 or backup for Heinrich.
5 May 2012, 08:23 am
@jackbill(jackbill)-403:
As a Stormer I can honestly say that most teams want to play against Spies. He adds no value.
Saying that as a Bok I don’t want him near the Bok team as he adds no value and his game has deteriorated from a once up and coming player, to one who never reached those heights.
The Bulls can play him week in and week out, but please nowhere near the Bok team. Pretty please.
5 May 2012, 08:24 am
CJ Stander is superb. Watch the Bulls coach drop him for Steggman and keep Spies.
5 May 2012, 08:29 am
I also think VdMerwe might get some time off. Just watched his punch.
5 May 2012, 09:12 am
He was lifted and forced into the ground on his shoulder. Dangerous.
He should get a few more weeks off.
Now there seems to a bit of silence on here about the punch that was thrown and connected.
Last week i believe it was the end of the world, now it seems you guys missed the yellow card for the punch.
He will also get at least 3 weeks. And dont cry either.
5 May 2012, 22:55 pm
a few weeks off for Flip may be the best thing for him. he must get his head together.
that punch was just stupid and deserves a punishment.
6 May 2012, 20:12 pm
“Why wasnt the bulls player not given a red for that punch!”
heh
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