Bulls fire, then fade
25 May 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on a 28-22 victory for the Chiefs over the Bulls that leaves the three-time champions with little breathing room if they are to secure a home play-off.
The Bulls were acutely aware of the importance of victory in the context of their conference challenge, but they failed to negotiate a determined second half effort from the Chiefs, after being dominant for the opening half. They will hope the Sharks beat the Stormers in Durban tomorrow and also bank on teams close to them on the overall log dropping points. There is no panic just yet – they’ve finished strongly in recent years after coming off tour – but they cannot afford to drop many more points.
When their execution of their game plan is on point (which it was in the first half) few sides in the tournament could live with the Bulls. However, their inability to sustain their effort through 80 minutes cost them, as did numerous spurned opportunities early in the match.
There are still questions about Francois Hougaard’s kicking game, but tonight it was adequate. His shortcomings in this regard were made up for by Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner’s competency in this facet of play. Their high kicks and a committed chase had the Chiefs’ back three looking like they were fielding grenades. This is an area the Hamilton franchise must address urgently if they are to be serious title contenders.
Once in the Chiefs’ 22m the Bulls were a mix of efficient and disappointing. Steyn banked two penalties and a drop goal and a try from Bjorn Basson, who profited from poor defence from Lelia Masaga, gave the Bulls a deserved 16-8 lead at the break.
On defence, such was the power and accuracy of their gainline challenge that the Chiefs were made to look toothless. Their primary strike runners – Sonny Bill Williams included – seldom posed a threat. Indeed the Bulls would have been disappointed at the margin of their lead at that point, the Chiefs’ only try coming courtesy of an Akona Ndungane error and their aforementioned wastefulness in good positions lending further weight to this assertion.
Steyn and Aaron Cruden traded penalties after the break, but the Chiefs, galvanised by the injection of quality impact players, gradually found the momentum and synergy they lacked in the first 40. The Bulls remained resolute but their resistance waned going into the final quarter when Cruden found wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma with an inside ball that left him with a clear route to goal. Cruden added the extras for a lead that was short-lived, Steyn edging his side ahead with his fourth penalty of the match.
Then the turning point, and this time another Bulls error inside the Chiefs’ 22m cost them dearly. The hosts turned over possession and ran the ball 70m before earning a lineout. A quick feed caught the Bulls’ defensive line unset, and Williams exploited this, surging through a gap then offloading to put Same Cane clean through. Cruden sunk the conversion and the Bulls just never looked like they had the capacity for a telling rebuttal thereafter.
752 Comments
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25 May 2012, 11:40 am
@dermie(dermie)-190: Agg, all this fuss about the Stormers attack is a bit exaggerated.
The games are not boring, they play some nice rugby. When it clicks they will score their 4 tries.
But a big factor is that teams are trying to avoid running at the defense and rather kick over it, so much less turnover ball.
25 May 2012, 11:42 am
@greentea(greentea)-198: Howzit Greentea. He’s played there most of his career so there is no reason he should’nt shine there. He has everything it takes but his decision making is up to sh t at the moment.
25 May 2012, 11:42 am
Th SA conference is going to come down to the Bulls vs Stormers at Loftus.
Unless the Stormers suddenly learn to get some win bonus points that is.
Hard luck Bulls, you were in it right until the end.
So many matched have come down to the last 5 minutes.
Home ground was the difference today.
At Loftus these guys would not have won.
Home ground in the semis and finals as so important.
25 May 2012, 11:43 am
The fukd in the heads coaches with their “extension of myself on the field “philosophy preventing natural flair.
25 May 2012, 11:43 am
Good game.but this super rugby format is shite.here im happy for the chiefs for the stormers conference position.but in my heart its just not right.hard luck bulls.
25 May 2012, 11:44 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-204: Interesting point
25 May 2012, 11:44 am
@greentea(greentea)-198:
That’s just it though. Test rugby is an unforgiving place to try to learn your trade. Not that many scrumhalf options in SA at the moment – seems to me anyway. I thought Sarel Pretorious was going to kick on, but he’s faded pretty badly. Not sure who else there is. Maybe Duvenhage, but I don’t think he’s Test standard either…
25 May 2012, 11:45 am
@greentea(greentea)-189:
and it is the same way the other way around.you were already blaming the ref half way through the game.pot and kettle spring to mind.
25 May 2012, 11:46 am
Good.So far so good for the Stormers.Now we just need to sort out the Durbs riff raff doggies.
25 May 2012, 11:46 am
The Bulls had beter sort out their scrum, it’s costing them big time, I also felt the forwards weren’t protecting Hougard much.
25 May 2012, 11:47 am
@niknaks(niknaks)-207: On form Hougaard is way ahead of the pack but on today’s form……..****.
25 May 2012, 11:47 am
well done to the chiefs though… good stuff to their supporters…
25 May 2012, 11:47 am
so close, so close…
25 May 2012, 11:48 am
@Kea-Cat(KEA)-210: If you stand around conferencing over every bloody ball coming out 50 forwards will not be able to protect you.
25 May 2012, 11:49 am
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-213: Soos n blou kol op n vir gin!!
25 May 2012, 11:50 am
@niknaks(niknaks)-207: Duvenhage definitely not test standard – I don’t think he is the best 9 in WP at the moment. I reckon Groom is better – a pity he is never benched. Schreuder not the answer either.
25 May 2012, 11:50 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-211:
as some one else said earlier the forwards were letting fringe players attack him and some of those attacks from kerr barlow,look where he was standing.no one can get there that quick legally
25 May 2012, 11:51 am
There is still hope for the Bulls,so Tacitus,don’t start warming up for your moondance routine out of keo…yet.
25 May 2012, 11:52 am
@niknaks(niknaks)-207: Duvenhage, please no, he has me pulling out my hair every game he plays in. His weak point is he can’t kick with his right foot and every scrumhalf should beable to kick with the right foot.
25 May 2012, 11:52 am
Spitting mad.Bulls controlling match and then Ludeke makes a host
of unnecessary substitutions early in 2n,d half.Game changes dramatically.
Naas Botha said on Boots @ All that substitutions should only be
made when there are injuries.Players are on bench because they are
2,nd best.(Unless tactical) I agree fully with NB.
25 May 2012, 11:53 am
FH the biggest disappointment for me.
25 May 2012, 11:53 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-214: With all the “stand around conferencing” you (9) usually wastes a lot of time to play quick ball as well. It is one of my biggest frustrations watching rugby. Hougaard needs a lot of game time at 9 to improve his game
25 May 2012, 11:53 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-214:
I agree. Defences are too good these days to allow them that amount of time to reset themselves. It also opens up opportunities for counter-rucking, something the SA teams don’t seem to have got their heads around yet.
25 May 2012, 11:54 am
Well played Chiefs.
It is bittersweet.
25 May 2012, 11:55 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-214: True.
25 May 2012, 11:55 am
@slavedriver(slavedriver)-217:
True but if he cleared the ruck when the ball was availible those players would not have been able to get to him.
Mark missed two crucial offsides and Messam pulling down a ruck with the bulls on attack The linesman missed a clear shot to Hougaards head. Not their greatest showing and it left a bad taste in the mouth from what was a really awesome advertisment for a hard rugby game.
25 May 2012, 11:56 am
Stormers can make a massive statement if they can win in Durbs, and not to mention do their own prospects a world of good. With the team the Sharks have picked, I expect them to try and get through the Stormers defence and not over it, as teams have been trying recently,So, fasten your seatbelts.. Just hope the Crusaders and maybe Highlanders can hand the Chiefs two losses..
25 May 2012, 11:56 am
@Kea-Cat(KEA)-219:
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not suggesting Duvenhage as Bok scrummie, rather highlighting the shortage of quality in that area. Just saying, it might be a blessing for FdP to at least be an option for another year…
25 May 2012, 11:57 am
@Kea-Cat(KEA)-219: Absolutely agree!!@ryecatcher(ryecatcher)-220: Agree !! Kruger only replaced Steenkamp in the 62nd minute, but why all the others subs so early ?J Kruger should have been on earlier though
25 May 2012, 11:59 am
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-222: The hole in my office wall is testimony to that frustration. Bad manners I know…..
@niknaks(niknaks)-223: Exactly. Similar to running two steps towards your 10 before passing ala Gregan, Januarie. Drives me nuts.
25 May 2012, 11:59 am
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE(KWAGGA ROBERTSE)-226: Let’s not blame Mark, he missed things on both sides.
25 May 2012, 12:02 pm
@Kea-Cat(KEA)-231: No I’m not blaming him. Bulls buggered this one up on their own. These were just a bit to blatant for the likes of Mark to miss. I actually rate him as a ref.
25 May 2012, 12:02 pm
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-216: I think Schreuder has great potential. He was fantastic at U21 level, didn’t set the field alight last year though.
I’m hoping he comes through.
25 May 2012, 12:05 pm
At least my Superbru got a bump in the right direction.
Adios all.
25 May 2012, 12:05 pm
@niknaks(niknaks)-228: With no overseas players in the Boks’ training group for Sunday and Monday, I suppose FdP and Ruan Pienaar will be added. The Boks can’t play with Vermaak as their no 2 scrumhalf !! Vermaak is not bad, but he only plays about 15 to 20/30 minutes’ rugby every week, when Hougaard moves to wing. Piet van Zyl is an exciting prospect but needs some more experience. I am glad Mcleod was not included – he like to take 2 / 3 steps as well before passing
25 May 2012, 12:07 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-233: He never made a step-up since being in the senior ranks. He was fine under 21 but ever since then he hasn’t impressed me
25 May 2012, 12:08 pm
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-235: McPlod is the Stormers biggest weapon on Saturday.
25 May 2012, 12:08 pm
I’m afraid it is tickets for a South African team lifting the trophy.
The Chiefs will now finish first overall and will have a home semi and home final.
I am very confident that they will win the competition.
25 May 2012, 12:08 pm
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-235:
True, I’d forgotten about Pienaar. He’s had a good season by all accounts. Although it ain’t southern hemisphere rugby, perhaps he’s worth a shot…
25 May 2012, 12:09 pm
@niknaks(niknaks)-239: Leinster could take on any of the current s15 teams.
25 May 2012, 12:10 pm
have rugby teams in Yappieland always been mixed ?
couldn’t that f@ggot in the P’ulls 12 jersey find a netball team to play for ?!
25 May 2012, 12:10 pm
@willievz(willievz)-238:
It’s a good call – although I think those damned ‘Saders might still have a say, as well as those pesky Reds. I’m not counting out my beloved Stormers yet though…
25 May 2012, 12:11 pm
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-204: true!
25 May 2012, 12:11 pm
Sorry to the Bulls fans! I didn’t see it but it sounded close
How did Spies go?
25 May 2012, 12:12 pm
@ryecatcher(ryecatcher)-220:
100% agree
Changes taking off Rallapelle,Greyling,Potgieter & later Steenkamp was game set and match.Had all the control with pack.Potgieter was particular outstanding nad got taken off 53th minute…Blunder
25 May 2012, 12:12 pm
Bulls will look back on this season and see the blues and highlanders games as matches they should have won.
Can”t see us getting a home semi from here.
25 May 2012, 12:13 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-213: palpitations turned to despair?
you should’ve listed to Tac when he said you will lose this game.
25 May 2012, 12:14 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-246: Nope neither can I.
Stormers might still finish second and get a home semi but they will then need to jetset to Hamilton for the final, which they will lose. That is if they will indeed win their home semi.
25 May 2012, 12:15 pm
Chiefs still not good enough to win comp in my opinion,too loose,pack still underdone.
Saders,Bulls,,Stormers can roll them over
25 May 2012, 12:15 pm
@Atreides(Atreides)-244:
Spies tried hard – but he’s just not the real deal. Give me Vermuelen as Bok 8 any day. Yeah, I know – I’m a blinkered Stormer
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