Bulls to start Morne?
9 Oct 2012
Blue Bulls head coach Pine Pienaar says he will use all seven of his Springboks for their must-win Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Johannesburg.
The Bulls are struggling at the foot of the table and need to beat the Lions on Saturday to avoid the wooden spoon.
Their poor form displayed throughout the domestic campaign suggests they’ll be the underdogs heading into this game, but their returning Test players changes things.
Pienaar will have flyhalf Morne Steyn, locks Juandre Kruger and Flip van der Merwe, fullback Zane Kirchner, flanks Arno Botha and Jacques Potgieter, and scrumhalf Francois Hougaard available for selection. He confirmed to this site that he’ll ease all seven internationals into his match-day squad for the trip to Ellis Park.
However, he also realised that their inclusions could threaten the cohesion of the team.
Last year, the Springboks that returned from the World Cup were rushed into their respective Currie Cup sides during the play-off rounds. This had a negative impact on the Sharks and WP, who were easily beaten by eventual champions the Lions in the semi-final and final respectively.
Pienaar believes this won’t be the case for the Bulls.
‘It won’t be about the individual,’ Pienaar told keo.co.za. ‘I will be making careful selections to make sure we have the best team out there. I will be using all seven Springboks … some of them will be in the starting line-up and others will make an impact off the bench.
‘The guys have shown great attitudes at training so far, and want to play. A guy like Morne, who was rested in recent weeks, could add the necessary accuracy we need to beat the Lions. But we’ll see how things work out.’
While victory should see the Bulls lift from last place, it could also see them sneak into the semi-finals if other results go their way.
The Sharks would have to beat Griquas in Durban, and WP would have to down the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands. These are the likely outcomes for these fixtures as the Sharks and WP will gain significant reinforcements from the Boks.
However, Pienaar stressed that his team needs to focus on their main job, which is to avoid relegation.
‘Our game against the Lions will be the last fixture of the weekend, so we will know what we have to do to jump up from last place before we run on to the field’ said Pienaar. ‘Our semi-final hopes are alive, but we will be concentrating on beating the Lions, which won’t be easy.
‘The Lions will also get several Boks back, so they’ll have a strong team. We can’t afford any poor discipline as a guy like Elton Jantjies will punish us with the boot. We also need to be accurate at our set-pieces … the Lions have the strongest scrum in the Currie Cup.
‘I was happy with our defensive and attacking efforts in our win over WP last weekend, and we need to carry that momentum into this match.’
By Gareth Duncan
25 Comments
9 Oct 2012, 11:28 am
So Morne will be playing this weekend.
9 Oct 2012, 11:38 am
Morne needs an extended break from rugby. He’s been totally overplayed over the last 2 seasons and needs a decent charnce to recharge his batteries and get his confidence back. Mental issues are also a factor.
9 Oct 2012, 11:39 am
Morne needs an extended break from rugby. He’s been totally overplayed over the last 2 seasons and needs a decent chance to recharge his batteries and get his confidence back.
9 Oct 2012, 11:43 am
Apologies for the double posting! When I make the posting it keeps saying it didn’t go through only to find that it was published?
9 Oct 2012, 11:52 am
Bulls relegated?
0h, the prospect. Rugby Talk would resemble a memorial service FFS
9 Oct 2012, 11:56 am
Whatever happens I would hate to see a repeat of the 1987 Currie Cup Final which was held on this ground.
It rained badly that day and a certain HE Botha kicked all Northern Transvaal’s points in their 24-12 win…four penalties & four drops.
Sniff, sniff!
Only good thing about that day was that I was so high up in the stands we never got wet…
9 Oct 2012, 12:30 pm
Surely all concerned should just let Morne go and enjoy the rest of the year with his wife and baby.
Not a fan, but surely his burnout is evident for all to see.
9 Oct 2012, 12:44 pm
Apparently the Bulls’ coach said ” he also realised that their inclusions could threaten the cohesion of the team.” Best laughline of the week! What cohesion?
Without the Boks this multi-talentless coach sits with a bunch of players who could barely hold their own at club level.
9 Oct 2012, 12:51 pm
Morne should only touch a rugby ball next year during the Super season. Give the guy the extended break he obviously needs.
9 Oct 2012, 13:44 pm
Imagine the Bulls relegated from the Currie Cup Premier division…
Bwahahahahaha!!!
9 Oct 2012, 14:14 pm
Also looks like JJ Egelbrecht might be jumping ship as well.
Kings are after him.
9 Oct 2012, 14:29 pm
@John Galt-11:
He’d be most welcome. We must bring back Jacques and Dewald Potgieter as well…
9 Oct 2012, 14:50 pm
@John Galt-11:
Rumors of a few decent surprise signings for the Kings being released soon………
9 Oct 2012, 14:56 pm
This is bs! No blue boks should be playing against the leos. How will they manage to defend their title?
9 Oct 2012, 17:03 pm
I hope he does start, will be nice to see Morne V Elton before end of year tour.
9 Oct 2012, 22:12 pm
but Ackerman is not afraid, because he will be playing all of his Springboks too, haha, the game is actually of no value to the Lions if the Sharks beat the Griquas Friday night, but after that piss poor peformance against griquas, not sure whats going to happen on Saturday
9 Oct 2012, 22:50 pm
Well i for one hopes MOrne finds form as there is no doubt he will be playing come end of the year tour.
I know i would rather have Lambie there as he offers more in overall play, but I also know thaT AINT GONNA HAPPEN
10 Oct 2012, 00:47 am
#2 – Morne can only get his confidence back if he plays. I do agree that he needs the rest.
#6 – “That” day was 25 years ago! Final score was 21 – 17. Transvaal scored twice, Hempas Rademeyer and Schalk Naude. Poor Jannie Breedt earned his nick name Sannie that day because he cried during the interview. He was a real gentleman , on and off the field. Could not say the same about my captain.
#16 – Spoke to an ex Lions player yesterday. The Lions will have no mercy or simpathy for the Bulls because IF they can qualify for the play-offs, they may play each other and the Bulls has a too good for comfort record at Coco-Cola Park. Think it will be a Sharks – Lions final.
10 Oct 2012, 06:06 am
Eish Tjokker; even if you didn’t support Tvl you had to feel sorry for Breedt that day. But I agree about Morne. He needs a few games with reduced pressure and maybe a kicking coach he trusts to see if he can get his mojo back. I don’t see why he shouldn’t cover flyhalf and fullback a la Percy. But he needs to understand, like Perce, that he’s in the team to goal his kicks.
10 Oct 2012, 07:44 am
@Tjokker-18: 24-12 I’m sure! Remember a try was only worth four points in those days. Will try verify that score…
10 Oct 2012, 07:54 am
@BrumbiesBoy-20: My apologies, score was 24-18 (Bladdy Agent Freek Burger (WP) was the referee!!)
Ja, Jannie the Gentleman, such a good oke & hard as nails, those tears he shed that day were also some of mine!
10 Oct 2012, 08:38 am
I dont see the point. it is not like they’ve got a shot at making the playoffs. why bring them back for a one off?
10 Oct 2012, 10:53 am
@munkiboi-22: They could end 3rd and Wp could still play relegation.
10 Oct 2012, 11:08 am
@capebull-23: Which of course is your “Reach for a dream” wish…..
10 Oct 2012, 12:27 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-24:
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