Brittle Bulls edge Rebels

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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  • 1.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:19 am

    Bulls Dragons by 17

  • 2.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:21 am

    We need the bonus point for 4 tries.
    Go BUULLSSSSS !!!!!!

  • 3.leonkarstens: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:37 am

    any url’s for Bulls game?

  • 4.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:38 am

    Damn that pink is uuugly!!!!!

  • 5.SpiesIsWorthless: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:39 am

    Bulls jersey ghastly.

    Expect flat track bully Spoes to be very visible in this match. If the the Rebels front however I could very well be mistaken.

  • 6.SpiesIsWorthless: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:42 am

    Sideshow Bob Kirchner with a howler. Awful player.

  • 7.SpiesIsWorthless: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:42 am

    @leonkarstens(leonkarstens)-3: http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/50566/3/bulls-vs-rebels-live-stream-online.html

  • 8.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:43 am

    Tipped Bulls, because I got a multi bet with them in it.

  • 9.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:45 am

    the bulls are very nice too watch

  • 10.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:46 am

    Loved the commentators comment regarding the sales of the pink jerseys in Pretoria.

  • 11.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:49 am

    Great Bulls try.

  • 12.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:50 am

    Love all the sadsacks here.

    Go do some work.

    :lol:

  • 13.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:54 am

    Come on Bulls.

  • 14.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:56 am

    Props these days are massive, there will be a day when we see two metre props, freakish.

  • 15.Cheetahs27: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:56 am

    Come on you Bulls! 5 points will be good.

  • 16.Porra the Fat and Clever Speedster: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:56 am

    that bloody
    binnepoespienk
    again

  • 17.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:57 am

    O gaats, Lions like defence…!

  • 18.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:57 am

    This is not good

  • 19.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:58 am

    Always feel a bit ambivalent about these games. I want the SA sides to win, but not at the expense of the Stormers log position. :lol:

  • 20.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:59 am

    Fork!

  • 21.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:59 am

    When the heck did the Rebels have the time to score two tries???

  • 22.scar: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:00 pm

    Before thinking about Bonus points, the Pink Bulls have to win this one!!

  • 23.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:00 pm

    @Todd W(Todd W)-21: And were the Bulls napping or something? Maybe too busy yaking to one another about their shirts instead of paying attention to the ball?

  • 24.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:00 pm

    @Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-17:
    Where was the loosie cover defense?

  • 25.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:02 pm

    That’s better

  • 26.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:03 pm

    @David(David)-10: Please let me know what they said; I’m busy working & can’t watch. :-(

  • 27.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:03 pm

    Flipping knobend.

  • 28.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:03 pm

    THe Bulls need to tighten this game up a bit and slow the pace. The Ozzies thrive on a fast game!

  • 29.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:03 pm

    What the hell was Flip up to?
    Been very impressed with Steyn today, so far.

  • 30.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:04 pm

    Hou Flip ver weg van ‘n Bok trui af asb HM

  • 31.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:04 pm

    David – Steyn is looking very good. AS JDV said on rugby365 having half year off last year after the RWC has helped alot of players recharge and this year they are all looking fresh again!!

  • 32.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:05 pm

    @David(David)-24:

    Ja the two ‘fast’ props did not work so well…

  • 33.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:06 pm

    @BrumbiesBoy(BrumbiesBoy)-26:
    That the pink shirts outsold the Blue ones 8 to 1 in Pretoria., which goes to show what type of people live in Pretoria. :lol:

  • 34.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:08 pm

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-30:
    Flip is k ak anyway.
    Tries to be the hard man in the Bulls but doesnt quite have that edge.

    Idiot.

  • 35.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:09 pm

    Davo you must have a few pink shirts in your closet.

    A know it all man of the world like you?

  • 36.SpiesIsWorthless: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:10 pm

    Flip way too dumb for a new hopefully improved era of Springbok rugby.

  • 37.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:10 pm

    @race of tan(race of tan)-31:
    He seems to be playing with far more confidence to control the game. I’ve a suspicion it’s because he doesn’t have FdP there to dictate what to do.

  • 38.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:10 pm

    Couple weeks rest coming up Luke Jones…

  • 39.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:12 pm

    Morné you beaut

  • 40.Slartibartfast: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:12 pm

    Steyn nearly mucked it up there but good try.

  • 41.SpiesIsWorthless: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:12 pm

    Ndungane is such an accurate player. Extremely tidy and makes very few mistakes, pretty underrated..

  • 42.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:14 pm

    Hougie looking more and more assured with every game.

    Decision making much sharper.

  • 43.willievz: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:15 pm

    Come on BULLS !!

  • 44.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:15 pm

    Man i missed Morne’s try, boss interferring with my Friday morning rugby with an important ad hoc meeting. Who does he think i am!!!! tee hee

  • 45.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:15 pm

    @David(David)-33: Good one!!! Thanks

  • 46.STORMSAAM: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:16 pm

    did flip het a yellow or red card?

  • 47.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:16 pm

    what are the chances of FdP actually playing for the Boks against England? is it all media talk or will we have Hougaard? i see no reason to have him back over Hougaard…

  • 48.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:16 pm

    Rebels are playing well, regrattably

  • 49.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:17 pm

    Cipriani was uselss, Berrick Barnes way better!!

  • 50.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:17 pm

    @STORMSAAM(BERNARD)-46: Yellow

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