Bulls brace for gainline blitz
16 May 2012
Frans Ludeke says the nature of the Highlanders’ approach makes dominating the gainline more critical than in most matches.
Statistics show the Highlanders to be among the teams who’ve kicked the least in the tournament. The Dunedin-based franchise have a string of players among the tournament’s top ball carriers and metres made while carrying, the most prominent of those being loose forwards Nasi Manu and Adam Thomson, who, when allowed to boss the tackle fight, have been constant sources of go-forward.
That momentum has seen the likes of Rico Gear – their primary strike runner in the back division – Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith thrive and pose threats to the opposition. The Bulls have had their share of defensive problems recently and although they improved markedly against the Waratahs last week, the Highlanders are capable of asking defensive questions the Tahs didn’t have the capacity to.
Ludeke pointed to their gainline challenge as being central to them stopping the Highlanders from building an attacking platform. ‘They’ve placed huge emphasis on ball retention through numerous phases and have been able to do that because their carriers very seldom don’t get over the gainline,’ Ludeke told keo.co.za.
‘Dominating this battle is one of the pillars of the game but it takes on added importance against a side who base their success on it. We made good progress against the Waratahs on defence but the Highlanders are a different unit with different strengths. We can’t allow them linebreaks, even half breaks, because they’ve been very clinical in their finishing.’
Ludeke also highlighted the importance of continuing in the accurate execution of their kick-chase method. ‘We know that when we get it right – that is the kick, a pressure chase and accurate hit or good kick return – it can be very difficult to counter. But it only takes a couple of misplaced kicks to put us under pressure from a broken field situation. With defences as tight as they are with the elite teams you have to work hard for tries. Giving teams like the Highlanders broken field opportunities is like a gift. They’ll hurt you.’
The Bulls’ attack has impressed to date. They lead the tournament in tries scored, most of those coming after they’ve driven down into opposition territory and pressured them into errors after which they’ve finished well. They have, however, also been adept at scoring from turnover and broken field situations. Bulls captain Pierre Spies praised their progress in this regard, but warned they would have to be equally as potent in the tackle fight on attack as they hope to be on defence.
‘They flood the breakdown making it difficult for you to get a quick recycle. That’s been at the heart of their defensive strength (the Highlanders have the third best defensive record in the tournament). If you get over the advantage line it’s difficult for them to do that, so that is a must-win area of the game for us.’
By Ryan Vrede
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39 Comments
16 May 2012, 10:38 am
boys, our front5 really need to step up this week.
it would be very nice to win this one.
please,please Pottie, look after yourself,don’t injure yourself.
16 May 2012, 10:41 am
“The Bulls’ attack has impressed to date. They lead the tournament in tries scored”
Niiiiiice
16 May 2012, 10:44 am
Bulls captain Pierre Spies praised their progress in this regard, but warned they would have to be equally as potent in the tackle fight on attack as they hope to be on defence.
Spies himself is the man who needs to man up in this regard.’Landers will be difficult to beat in Dunedin.
16 May 2012, 11:14 am
Rico Gear is joling for the Landers! Wowza!
This is the big battle for the Bulls, if our foward pack can step up physically , provide good protection of our ball @ the breakdowns, defend the inside channels and prevent the pick and go’s ( which these Highlanders love doing) by slowing down thier ball (kamaan Pottie) and have an accurate kick -chase performance-we will win. An off-day with any of the above and we will be 2-1 on tour.
16 May 2012, 11:17 am
Eh, Ryan, Im pretty sure Rico Gear is not the “primary strike runner” in the Highlanders backline.
IMO Hoea Gear is that guy….just saying.
16 May 2012, 11:27 am
@Superbru(Superbru)-3
Some of you are a bit like malemma wrt Spies, Olivier etc, if you say it enough times it must be so….So say it again chump, the Bulls still top the log and have 3 super trophies.
And stront in a teacup, have you changed you adult diaper? That **** leaking from your a rse smells like old ***
16 May 2012, 11:28 am
Fok. How do you confuse Rico and Hosea Gear?
16 May 2012, 11:32 am
We need full points against the declining Landers.
16 May 2012, 11:40 am
The Highlanders will just have to hang in there against the rampant Bulls. I’d fancy their attack against the less-than-convincing Bulls’ defence, though. For the Stormer’s sake!
Should be worth the entrance fee, this one!
16 May 2012, 11:45 am
@Xkreni-WP(Xkreni-WP)-6:
Right
You said your piece
Now vanish for a week please
16 May 2012, 12:30 pm
Latest Stormers news
Adnaan Mohamed – Son
Cape Town – Saracens No 8 Ernst Joubert could be on his way to Cape Town to help alleviate the Stormers’ loose forward injury crisis.
According to a reliable source, the former Lions No 8, who has plied his trade at Saracens since 2009, could join the Stormers’ training sessions as early as Wednesday.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee confirmed on Monday that he’d made a number of overseas phone calls to find out who was available.
“At the moment we are okay, but what will happen if we lose yet another loose forward?
“Anything is possible.
“Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nick Koster will only be back from injury in July, but in the interim we need to make a plan for our next three Super Rugby matches against the Waratahs, Sharks and Bulls.”
Last week the Cape franchise surprised all and sundry by calling up unheralded Canadian loose forward Jebb Sinclair.
Sinclair was named on the substitutes’ bench for last Saturday’s match against the Cheetahs at Newlands, and following a serious knee injury to No 8 Nizaam Carr as early as the 22nd minute, Sinclair was summoned into action.
Coetzee has called upon Western Province Vodacom Cup flank Don Armand, who is expected to form part of the matchday 22-man squad to face the Waratahs at Newlands on Saturday. Kick-off is 19:10.
Ceres-born Joubert, 31, has played 86 matches in total for Saracens, including 14 this season in which he has scored eight tries. Prior to his departure for England, he skippered the Lions.
16 May 2012, 12:34 pm
@Jonck(Jonck)-11:
a journeyman player
16 May 2012, 12:40 pm
don’t on Spies to help you Ludekak…he acknowledges that heineken is the ONLY coach that knows how to push his buttons
16 May 2012, 12:46 pm
@Jonck(Jonck)-11: Not that he’d be allowed to play him from the QF onwards. Old Alistair was crying to the media the other day about the unfairness of it all, and beseeching the IRB to bend the rules for the Stormers, just this once…
16 May 2012, 12:59 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-14: Come on Katters. This is an exceptional circumstance…..
16 May 2012, 13:05 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-15: As was the Schalk Brits saga last time round, nê… Too many exceptions and not enough rules, it seems.
Anyway, them rules are the same for everyone, and Alistair knew about them before Christmas. Didn’t seem to bother him much then.
16 May 2012, 13:09 pm
What’s this…………………………………………………….Are those friggen Brokebacks trying to pull the “Ring In” ruse again?
8)
There’s no doubt about it…………………….they have to watched very closely.
16 May 2012, 13:12 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-16:
No worries. AC is just thinking aloud,
We’ll be back to full strength before the playoffs, so it’s not a problem really.
It’s now that worries him the most.
WE should have Schalk, Duanne and Nick back for the last 3 league fixtures, ready in time to play themselves into form for the playoffs.
This may even work in our favour as they won’t be as exhausted as last year.
16 May 2012, 13:13 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-16:
The Lions are also recruiting like there is no tomorrow. The lates trecruit is American Gagiano.
Sadly for them he will now also not be able to playfor them from the QF onwards
16 May 2012, 13:13 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-16: PS 1 exception, sanctioned by SANZAR.
Same as the Sharks.
But you knew that already
16 May 2012, 13:14 pm
@cane(cane)-17: Old Alistair is totally exasperated. They have 4 hurty knees and counting, and the stupid IRB are being just plain mean about it all.
As my 4 year old boy is busy teaching my 2 year old girl to say: “Not Fair!”
16 May 2012, 13:15 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-19: The ex UCT boy?
16 May 2012, 13:16 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-19: Ja, we’ll have to improvise with what we have come knock-outs.
16 May 2012, 13:17 pm
@trupisero(trupisero)-22:
Yip, their ex captain. Not a bad player and leader.
16 May 2012, 13:18 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-21:
You have two kits now Katman,
the set, I see.
Well done to you and Mrs Katman.
8)
16 May 2012, 13:20 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-24: Are they paying him with a bunch of PD cheques????
16 May 2012, 13:21 pm
@cane(cane)-25: Yep, two that feel like 20 sometimes. Thanks.
16 May 2012, 13:28 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-26:
I believe they pay him an extremely low basic salary but a massive bonus for every winning match he plays in. Poor bloke.
16 May 2012, 13:35 pm
Most Yanks who come and do volunteer community work here, do so for no pay at all apart from a small daily stipend from the US government. Perhaps this is Gagiano’s deal.
16 May 2012, 13:51 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-28: Makes sense. Good deal……
16 May 2012, 14:03 pm
i was never a big ernst fan…
has anyone seen him play lately…? and what’s his form like…?
16 May 2012, 14:32 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-10: If it wasn’t for low class he would have no class at all.
16 May 2012, 14:35 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-14: What has the IRB got to do with it?
16 May 2012, 14:42 pm
I see Ryan has not yet addressed his Rico Gear “faux pas” .
Do they not bother to read our comments?
16 May 2012, 15:04 pm
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-33: IRB / SANZAR… Tomayto / Tomahto…
16 May 2012, 15:13 pm
As long as its not Cosatu.
17 May 2012, 02:52 am
Rico Gear? I don’t think so…………………….
17 May 2012, 09:43 am
@XKRENI-WP I have just received a photo on facebook of a land rover with the number plate XKRENI-WP and EK BLY `N BUL man that has to be tour car it to much of a coincidence not to be and i am the same as you EK BLY `N BUL.
17 May 2012, 09:45 am
#6 XKRENI-WP I agree with what you have posted hehehehehehehe.
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