Belligerent Bulls steal it late
11 May 2012
RYAN VREDE watched the Bulls score in the closing stages to register an impressive and vital 27-24 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney.
Werner Kruger surged over the tryline with four minutes to play and Morne Steyn, flawless with the boot once more, landed the conversion that gave the Bulls the narrow lead and ultimately the victory.
After trailing for the majority of the match the Bulls summoned the composure and resolve that was the hallmark of their championship sides of 2007, 2009 and 2011. Many thought those qualities would disappear after the mass exodus of senior players last year. But this youthful Bulls side continue to defy expectations.
The Tahs will lament their impotency in light of their possession and territorial dominance. They ticked all the main boxes you need to in order to beat the Bulls: physicality and accuracy at the gainline on attack and defence, an excellent kicking game that counters the Bulls’, and a committed chase that exerts pressure on the receiver. They also once again exposed the Bulls’ Achilles heel, discipline at scrum time (they lead the tournament in scrum penalties conceded). Some fundamental handling errors and missed touch kicks further undermined the Bulls’ cause. But the Tahs lacked a killer instinct and paid for that.
The Bulls trailed 13-10 at the break despite being second best for the better part of the first half. It was a good position considering they spent much of the 40 repelling the Tahs in their 22m.
There was an improvement on the poor defence that had marked their last two matches, but a questionable decision to shift inside from midfielder Johann Sadie saw Rob Horne slice through the line to score the game’s first try.
The Tahs lost Dean Mumm to the sin bin in the 22nd minute and Francois Hougaard hauled the Bulls into the contest shortly thereafter, powering through three tackles en route to the tryline. Steyn converted but Berrick Barnes kicked a penalty just before half-time to give his side a three-point lead going down the tunnel.
Barnes banked three more points after the restart but the Bulls refused to relent and going into the final quarter they scored through Akona Ndungane after a quick-tap move. Steyn added the extras, but, as they had done last week against the Rebels, the Bulls conceded almost immediately, wing Atieli Pakalani finishing in the corner.
You sensed then that the Tahs would close the game out but their visitors made a statement with their ability to call on their reserves in striking the late death blow after being pounded for most of the contest.
297 Comments
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11 May 2012, 15:15 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-199:
Agreed
Its just a nice place to go to on a lzy Sunday afternoon, when you have nothing else to do. Great for kids as well with the beach right there.
I think it beats sitting in a dark smoky pub.
11 May 2012, 15:15 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-199: It’s not an achievement, it’s a privilege.
If you tried to do the same in East London they’d call it loitering with intent.
11 May 2012, 15:16 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-202:
OK.
11 May 2012, 15:19 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-203: Hey, I don’t go to Blue Peter. Not because I don’t like the place, or because I have a grass phobia, but simply because Blouberg is a shlep (and a bit tacky too).
11 May 2012, 15:21 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-204:
I liked it there, but I sat on a nice bench having a nice drink with my wife. Couldn’t understand the people sitting on the grass instead.
Are the drinks cheaper if you sit on the floor, or what?
11 May 2012, 15:21 pm
#194 mad arse a typical blog from a non bulls supporter, man it is starting to get boring having to read all these blogs about how lucky the bulls were,the bulls are a mediocre team,the bulls the bulls were this and the bulls were that and the bulls are top of the log and that with a mediocre team,what will they be like when we are a really good team.Jealousy makes you nasty na-na na-na.You will need to try harder than that to wind the bulls fans up.
11 May 2012, 15:27 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-205: I think it’s a Cape Town thing. You don’t get the dynamic. We sit on lawns wherever possible. We have blankets and quilts we call “throws” that make our lawn lounging look elegant and chic. We also like to include shaggy-haired dogs and cute little kids in the picture. And we chuckle at the Vaalies on the benches.
11 May 2012, 15:28 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-205:
Actually they are, because you dont get served sitting on the grass, so you save on the tip.
11 May 2012, 15:29 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-207:
You’re a vaalie?
11 May 2012, 15:33 pm
Madeye the malkop.
11 May 2012, 15:33 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-207:
Oh. Thanks for educating me.
I just thought if I want a picnic, I certainly don’t want one with someone else having a picnic 3 feet to my left and right as well.
Really don’t enjoy this “special moment with a crowd around you” vibe.
11 May 2012, 15:34 pm
@Stawm(Stawm)-209: By birth and by rugby team, yes. But I’ve been a Capey in all other respects for over 15 years now.
11 May 2012, 15:36 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-211: Stay away from the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts then.
Although I didn’t see Juanita or Coenie on the season programme anyway.
11 May 2012, 15:36 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-212:
Me by birth as well. Moved down here in 1994.
11 May 2012, 15:38 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-211:
Next time you are in CT, I’ll buy you a beer at Blue Peter. I’d like to meet such a fanatic Bulls fan.
11 May 2012, 15:40 pm
@Stawm(Stawm)-215: I’m part of the ’96 intake.
11 May 2012, 15:41 pm
Pique niques are for pikeys.
11 May 2012, 15:42 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-216:
Roof!
11 May 2012, 15:51 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-217: You clearly haven’t found the right wicker basket yet.
11 May 2012, 15:56 pm
@blueboy(blueboy)-206:
Its OK dude, everything we do will be mediocre
Our players, couches and fans are kak
Yet we are top of the log
I can live with it
11 May 2012, 16:07 pm
@Stawm(Stawm)-215: Tac drinks guava juice…no beer
11 May 2012, 16:10 pm
Relax Bulls
No-one is trying to pull your noserings
11 May 2012, 16:21 pm
Am pretty chuffed for Spies. These wins come from leadership, and Spies is the leader.
Well done mate. You are starting to produce the leadership goods!
11 May 2012, 16:25 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-221:
I’m sorry to hear that!
11 May 2012, 16:56 pm
Congrats to the Bulls, a win is a win, it matters not if it is pretty or not
Specially down under,They are showing their quality as a union again
11 May 2012, 16:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-221: Guava juice and vodka
11 May 2012, 17:57 pm
Don’t think the Bulls will beat either the Highlanders or the Chiefs. Squeeked two wins against average opposition. Time for the Stormers to open a bit of a gap.
11 May 2012, 18:03 pm
Great job, Bulls.
11 May 2012, 18:43 pm
Bulls will get 15 points on tour and then it is the overrated Stompies at Loftus…..
11 May 2012, 18:49 pm
How many times will these articles start with The Belligerent Bulls …. come one something fresh no? More like the Bumbling Bulls or Boring Bulls play Tahs rugby, Blooming Bulls do it again!, Bloody Bulls wont take no for an answer, Biltong Bulls almost hung out to dry, Big Bulls up, Belated Bulls win, Big Bulls up. Bah humbug Bulls. Blah blah blah…
11 May 2012, 18:54 pm
11 May 2012, 18:58 pm
I have question
If fourth fifth and sixth placed teams finish with more points than Aus conference winner, do those teams have to travel to Aus?
11 May 2012, 18:59 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-230:
Bullsh!t Baffles Brains
11 May 2012, 19:00 pm
@Meerkatte(phil72)-229:
And oour last 3 games are gimmies……
11 May 2012, 19:04 pm
Well done Bullies. Didn’t think you would win today.
11 May 2012, 19:05 pm
Well done bulls great job so far !!!! unfortunately the hard part starts now on tour !!! Stormers to take top spot SA Conference by the end of the weekend
11 May 2012, 19:27 pm
Anyone got answer for me? Pls?
11 May 2012, 19:43 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-237:
I think so. The Ausie team is guaranteed a 3rd spot and home venue for the playoffs.
11 May 2012, 19:46 pm
@David(David)-238:
But that is not all bad…. Whoever finish 6th will have an easy playoff game….
11 May 2012, 19:50 pm
Dawn @237
I think its P3 v P6 & P4 v P5. P1&P2 get a bye in week 1 of play-offs
Thus the brumbies would host a play-off despite their opponents (potentially) having earned more points than them in the round-robin
SANZAR have unwittingly (I hope its unwittingly) emphasised the drive towards the goal of finishing top of your own conference. For SA, this translates to an injury magnet
11 May 2012, 19:51 pm
Thanks David
11 May 2012, 19:58 pm
Cheetahs play more expansive rugby than any other SA side, they’re not as head on confrontational.
That might be the reason they have less injuries than other SA sides.
11 May 2012, 19:58 pm
And viewer!
11 May 2012, 19:59 pm
Anyone able to confirm that P1 plays winner of P4 vs P5 and P2 pays winner of P3 v P6. I skim read Wiki search of “Super Rugby” with no luck. Been a bit of a long day & this site is slower than that lions 9′s pass
11 May 2012, 20:00 pm
Stegmann broke his bloody arm,FFS. Out for 6 weeks again, this is terrible luck. Dewald Potgieter will be ready for next Saturday at least, maybe he is 3rd time lucky this time…
11 May 2012, 20:02 pm
Must say that I enjoyed Bulls vs Tahs game, cliffhanger of note.
Those Tahs forwards stood up and defended really well. They were obviously amped up for the game.
Bulls got out of jail, this sadie is way out of his depth, his confidence is rock bottom and hasn’t justified the hype about him pre-season.
11 May 2012, 20:04 pm
Suspect keo’s gonna move into model management. Wonder how much he’s paying nikita & lucy’s manager to pose for the cameras with vrede&percy, or are they his first clients
11 May 2012, 20:07 pm
HM said last year that Sadie that if he was coach of boks then he would pick Sadie because he has the “X-factor”.
How idiotic does that statement look now
11 May 2012, 20:11 pm
Guru, saw highlights, I spotted sadie shuffling inside OFF the man he’s marking. Flat cut out pass. Try ‘tahs
Feel a bit for him, wonder what’s up
11 May 2012, 20:16 pm
But. . .lionel mapoe grasping around trying to grab thin air, like we do when we are looking for the bathroom light switch at night. That’s a bit more culpable
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