Critical fortnight for Bulls
14 May 2012
RYAN VREDE writes the Bulls have placed themselves in the inside lane to top the South African conference but much rests on their performances in the next two weeks.
Unbeaten since their defeat to the Stormers in March (five matches ago), the Bulls have overhauled their great rivals at the summit of the South African conference and, with a two from two return in their opening matches in Australia, have set themselves up for a potentially outstanding tour.
I wrote prior to the tour that the Bulls would have to at least match the Stormers’ three from four tour return to keep their conference challenge strong. They are on course to do that and indeed may yet give themselves some breathing room if they are able to oust the Highlanders and Chiefs.
Both those sides exhibited flaws in their armour at the weekend. The Bulls will be encouraged by their inability to cope with the tactical questions the Hurricanes and Reds asked respectively. They are certainly questions the Bulls can ask with greater efficiency and regularity.
Their victory over the Waratahs in Sydney was significant because it demanded that they explore a depth of character and resolve that was the hallmark of their championship winning sides of 2007, 2009 and 2010. I’m not suggesting the current crop are as good as that vintage, and neither am I asserting that this Bulls side has that character and resolve in equal measure. I’m simply highlighting what appears to be a shared characteristic that is decisive in high-pressure situations.
Furthermore, they continue to embarrass the still widely-held view that they are one-dimensional in their approach. Indeed they lead the competition for tries scored. There remain lingering concerns about their defence. Some of those concerns were eased with a solid performance in this facet of play in Sydney, but a truer measure of their health in this regard will come in the next fortnight against teams capable of exposing potential vulnerabilities the Waratahs were never able to.
There is also confidence to be drawn from Morne Steyn’s upswing in goal-kicking form. When Steyn kicks well for goal the Bulls usually win and in recent weeks the flyhalf has shown why he is the man Heyneke Meyer will back against England, a series the national coach believes could be decided by the boot given the lack of synergy both sides will suffer from.
Winning one of their last two tour matches will be an acceptable achievement, with two setting them up for the conference title provided they don’t lose key players to injury while on national duty in June. They have home matches against the Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions upon their return, with a trip to Kings Park in the mix as well. Tellingly, no South African side matches their win percentage after returning from tour.
That we’re even talking about this side as contenders (let alone potential champions) for the conference title is testament to their astute recruiting, good structures, competent coaching, talent and character. They lost a clutch of senior players at the end of 2011 and were expected to go through a rebuilding period. They’ve defied expectations and on the evidence of what they’ve produced thus far, they’ve earned the right to be spoken about as genuine contenders for the title.
45 Comments
14 May 2012, 08:17 am
Ryan, you should come to vrede with the fact that the bully boys were lucky to win their last two matches. Against the kiwis I expect two loses. Sad but true.
14 May 2012, 08:28 am
Ryan’s point about Morne’s kicking is a valid one. In fact, it is worth noting that had he been in his current kicking form, the Bulls would have won both the Blues and Stormers games and would be unbeaten now.
If Steyn is on song I feel sorry for the Stormers at Loftus.
14 May 2012, 08:32 am
This Keo bunch are like a wonen with periods…. one moment its all moonshine and roses.. the next they are a bunch of losers… after the next two games lets see how Ryan writes that they lost too many quality players last year…
14 May 2012, 08:33 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-2: Ja and if Habana was on his try scoring form, the stormers would have had 4 more bonus points… get real!!
14 May 2012, 08:36 am
Habana was last in try scoring form in the Loftus final against the Chiefs, bud.
14 May 2012, 08:42 am
@RL: Wow that Ryan to vrede must be one of the lamest things I have seen, and I don’t think luck has much to do with results at super rugby level… All we can do is wait and see who sits where on the log comes play-offs . The rest is just educated guessing, some more educated than others.
14 May 2012, 08:43 am
Agreed Ryan.
14 May 2012, 08:45 am
Better article from Ryan in recent times.
@RL(RL)-1: I think that 3/4 is not far-fetched. And seeing how the driving and pick-up and go strategy used against the Chiefs were their downfall, I’d say 3/4 is more of a probability than a possibility. They jury is not out on the Highlanders game though…
@Provvas(Provvas)-4: Habs is getting into better form, and he will add a lot of value to the Boks against England. That’s if he gets picked by HM. We know that Heinecke makes selection on heart and personality, more than rugby knowledge, hence not making Habana a counter offer when he moved to WP. Heineke said on many occansions that he will only decide on a squad after he gets to know the players. Dont be surprized if you see Basson with JPP.
That my 5c
14 May 2012, 08:47 am
@wynkaptein(wynkaptein)-6: He’s a Lions supporter. Bitter and saddened by the fact that his beloved team faces the chop he lashes out at everything around him, like a dying animal.
Its why we dont point out the obvious flaws in his argument.
When the retardedkid goes to the toilet by himself for the first time, beaming proudly at you you pat him on the head, pretending to not see the dark stain on his crotch.
Sad but true.
14 May 2012, 08:49 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-9: Ha Ha. That was hilarious.
14 May 2012, 08:52 am
@Blue Label(Blue Label)-8: I was merely trying to point out Tac line of thinking of if and buts…. Bryan is having a good season so far…
Tac just uses the excuse like a child that the bulls lost due to poor kicking from Steyn… If steyn kicked this.. if steyn kicked that.. .forgetting that if |steyn kicked the penalty then maybe a try would have been scored by the other team to win it…. Stupid logic actually
14 May 2012, 08:59 am
@Taahirah: New to the community, so thanks for the heads up…
@Provvas: Totally agree with you, stupid logic… and I am a bulls supporter
14 May 2012, 09:01 am
@Provvas(Provvas)-11: Agreed.
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-9: HAHAHA
14 May 2012, 09:20 am
Conference title counts for sweet ****-all if you dont win the comp. The Bulls the only team with the BMT to do this.
14 May 2012, 09:22 am
@Blue Label(Blue Label)-8:
Mentioned this another thread…
As th Bulls embarked on their Australasian tour, the Highlanders game stood out as the most challenging (despite the Chiefs’ log position at the time), due to their well drilled pack, and efficient set-piece.
This has changed IMO, the Landers is blowing hot-&-cold at the moment. More confident of getting a result in Dunedin.
Obviously not set in stone, ask the Saders….
14 May 2012, 10:38 am
Bulls will define Highlanders season this weekend…… a loss for them and its the beginning of the end. The first thing will be try to negate Morne Steyns radar boot, so give him as few opportunities as possible…..can only do this through good discipline….Have to win territorial battle…thus creating pressure……limit handling errors to a minimum but still move the ball wide where they have a slight advantage…… and tackle anything that moves…..interesting battle this weekend, have to say Bulls will be favorites…
14 May 2012, 11:01 am
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-9: I note how you resort to name calling rather than facing up to the fact that the bullies were lucky to scrape two wins in Aus. Man up and admit it.
14 May 2012, 11:07 am
Bulls have been a little dodgy these past couple of weeks. The pack is still way below par in my opinion with an average set piece. Talent has been winning them games lately not a drilled
Cohesive concerted effort…something that will be required this week.
Back row injuries are becoming a huge issue and flip needs to start playing like a hard lock. He,s badly in need of a good performance.
14 May 2012, 11:16 am
@RL(RL)-17:
Good teams win, when they’re supposed to lose. Cases in point..,
1. Stormers vs. Cheetahs
2. Bulls vs. Rebels
add to the above Saders going down in Melbourne.
Luck? Beg to differ.
14 May 2012, 11:23 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-16:
Both the Landers & Bulls pretty much knows what to expect from eachother. Tough game, think it will be a low scoring affair.
14 May 2012, 11:26 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-5: True ‘dat! He’s been better this year, but Province is the graveyard of players who move there in their prime.
@RL(RL)-17: lucky? They played smart rugby when it was needed. They were in the right position on the field and played better pressure rugby.
As a Bulls fan, I am worried about the next 3 weeks. Highlanders are hurting. Chiefs are a quality side. And the Stormers, as injury depleted as they are, catch them on a return from a long tour.
Having said that, you have to admire their sheer bloody-mindedness! Go Bulls!
14 May 2012, 11:35 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-18:
Scrums has been a lottery throughout – must be concerning that we give away quite a bit at this play. Line-outs has been good IMO, lacking synergy at the tackle point though. Stegman in particular a big loss in this regard,with the two games coming up in NZ.
14 May 2012, 11:35 am
On the plus side i really like this young venter kid at 12, a lttle early but looks as if he could be our version of a conrad smith sort….a no mistakes kind of player who picks awesome angles and looks for the pass. Might be an idea to shuffle wynand to 13 where he has played before. Jj and sadie have yet to put 80 minutes together and i prefer jj on the wing anyway albeit akona does the business for us every week.
But bottom line is still the pack…will the real bulls forwards start standingnup already.
14 May 2012, 11:40 am
22, stegmann will be a huge loss albeit i did get the feeling this past weekend that stander was settling into his role better. We need to hope that d.potgieter has some luck now and hits form and stays injury free.basically, the pressure now falls to arno botha who has to without a doubt add impact regardless of hisnage and inexperience from the bench.
14 May 2012, 11:43 am
@Pot Blou Gevaar(Pot Blou Gevaar)-20:
perhaps…. Bulls can sustain pressure for long periods… causes opposition to infringe….which brings the Steyn factor into play…..Highlanders are capable of scoring tries….do they go around them…through them…over them…. or all three.
14 May 2012, 11:55 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-24:
No way you can start Potgieter straight after such a long injury lay-off.
Botha and Stander will have to start, with Potgieter coming off the bench.
14 May 2012, 11:56 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-26:
In fact, if we can finish the game without brining Potgieter on, even better.
He was supposed to be off for another 2 or 3 weeks with that hammie. No way he is 100% fit yet.
14 May 2012, 12:01 pm
26.ah,in that case we have a problem, is tecklenberg there.
14 May 2012, 12:02 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-28:
Why?
I rate Stander and Botha as a combo.
14 May 2012, 12:12 pm
Has tecklenburg flown out as a backup, on more loseforward down and we are in trouble
14 May 2012, 12:13 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-30:
No. Only Potgieter and Dean Greyling.
14 May 2012, 12:22 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-31:
Hope McGyver gets his head out of the baby milk bottles early on in the piece. Expect the Landers to come up with an allmighty scrap.
14 May 2012, 12:33 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-25:
Chiefs has me more worried in that regard.
Jamie Mac back this weekend? Together with Manu and Hore, their forwards needs to be contained. I think that this will be their primary source of attack. We should look to stifle them there…
Very close to call, 50/50 IMO…
14 May 2012, 12:38 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-29: Stander and Botha both too similar, good ball carriers but not fetcher replacements. Both also a tadd on the short side leaving Spies as the only loosie as a Lineout option.
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-30: pray that Steyn stays injury free. One knock to him and it is Bulls season over.
14 May 2012, 12:42 pm
@RL(RL)-34:
Agree with your point on Steyn. Fact is, we won both the 2009 and 2010 tournaments by playing Steyn for every game. We rely heavily on him.
Another reason why I say a team actually can get more value from key players that don’t seek out contact and thus stay injury free for longer.
As for Stander and Botha, Stander has had to adapt to the fetcher role, but we won the last 5 games with him in that position.
14 May 2012, 13:21 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-18: Flip has’nt been the same since he was concussed by head-on tackle from Owen Franks last year. I think he has lost all his confidence.
14 May 2012, 13:30 pm
I coached Dewald Potgieter at school and have always had him figured as a 6, although he has received most of his recognition at 7 and 8. Whichever position he plays, I know one thing. I have yet to meet another human being with a stronger mindset than Dewald. I spoke to him some time ago and he told me he turned down several foreign approaches with a view to regaining his Bok spot. I am watching this space in anticipation.
14 May 2012, 13:41 pm
@johnnycumlately(johnnycumlately)-37: you do know that he is leaving the Bulls to play club rugby in the UK?
14 May 2012, 13:50 pm
@johnnycumlately(johnnycumlately)-37:
I also coached him at school.
Pete, is that you?
14 May 2012, 13:56 pm
Arno Botha needs gametime
agree about Stander and Botha combo. rest Spies
bring in Daniel Adonga
14 May 2012, 13:59 pm
@RL(RL)-38:
Where on earth did you dream that up?
14 May 2012, 13:59 pm
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-40:
Adonga cannot even make the Vodacom Cup team.
He has a long way to go to make it as a rugby player.
14 May 2012, 17:32 pm
Bulls real tour starts now! The games in Aussie you would expect the Bulls to win….but the two games in NZ are a lot tougher prospects. However…the Bulls do have 9 points in the bag already….so they’re going to NZ without a “need to win one” attitude but rather a “be good to win” one……
Still don’t know if they’re going to win one in NZ though…..
14 May 2012, 18:10 pm
Lose both games on tour and its advantage Stormers!
14 May 2012, 23:01 pm
@Pot Blou Gevaar(Pot Blou Gevaar)-33:
Yes very interesting on how Highlanders will try to attack them…….I still think they will try to get quick ball and move it wide to wide, then look for the inside ball to their wingers and Ben Smith. As for their attack in the forwards, they will primarily use the pick and go with Hore and co, and try to link some short passes together…….If they can do this successfully and maintain parity in the set piece….plus stifle Bulls driving mauls and limit Steyns shots at goal…..they will have a shot at winning……but we all know it sounds good on paper……still have to go out there and execute…….If the game is being held at the dreadful Carrisbrook Park would have Highlanders as slight favorites……. but at their new stadium , Bulls will start as favorites based on form.
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