The Bulls hosted the Brumbies at Loftus, Pretoria late this afternoon. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA. The Bulls won in impressive style, going away at the end and easily bagging full 5 Log Points to move alone to the top of the Super 14 table. They denied the Brumbies from any log points in the process. The Final score was Bulls 50 / 32.
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from the Bulls web site, the following:
The Bulls gave their home supporters plenty to shout about in their opening Vodacom Super 14 match at Fortress Loftus, scoring five tries after overcoming a determined Brumbies side, who had a 27-20 lead after 50 minutes of play.
Seventeen points in ten minutes not only edged the Bulls ahead, but secured the bonus point as well as the Bulls racked up 50 points for the second consecutive week.
The win keeps the Bulls on top of the Super 14 log after week two, but some early Bulls errors and some good phase play had the Brumbies in the lead in the opening quarter.
They scored two tries, with Steyn’s boot the only answer from the Bulls.
Tries by Fourie du Preez and Steyn before the break gave the Bulls the lead, but a late penalty by Stirling Mortlock gave his side a 21-20 advantage at the break.
A long range drop goal by Matt Giteau and another Mortlock effort saw the lead stretch again in the second stanza, but once Gerhard van den Heever pouched a stray Brumbies pass and ran 35 meter to score under the sticks, the Bulls never looked back.
Wynand Olivier then scored a great try after some strong scrumming by the pack had the Brumbies on the back foot and Steyn did the rest.
A late Brumbies try gave the score line some respectability, but Brumbies coach Andy Friend admitted that they came up well short on the night.
My visit to the Press Conference after the match:
Brumbies coach Andy friend and captain Stephen Hoyles attended the Press Conference on behaf of the Brumbies.
Andy Friend is a soft-spoken but determined fellow, does not mince his words and answers questions with openness and without hesitation, same with Hoyles, no bullshit, just straight answers.
I asked wheter the current “New Interpretation” of the Laws will continue causing high scoring games, as has been seen in quite a few of the matches of the first 2 rounds. Both Andy and Stephen praised the new application of the Laws and said clearly that this is how they want to play, that it suits the Bumbies style of play and rewards the attacking side.
When I asked what Hoyles sees as their biggest place where they, as a Team, should improve, it was without hesitation that they MUST improve their dicipline… not give away so many penalties.
In general, the Brumbies were lavish in their praise of the Bulls and the way the Bulls play.
For the Bulls, coach Frans Ludeke, captain Victor Matfield, centurion Perie Wannenburg and man of the match Morné Steyn attended the Press Conference.
Firstly, what utterly approachable fellows these gentlemen ALL are, they are jovial, not arroant… and answers questions without dodging anything. Victor already had some “Hippy Jeans” & floppies and a T-shirt on, laid back as they come! They were obviously happy with the game and with the first 2 rounds.
When asked about the “New Rules Application” of the Laws, it is clear they fully embrace them and are basing their game plans accordingly.
Pedrie was humble about his milestone of 100 Super14 matches and says that he feels that there are still aspects of his game he needs to improve.
I asked Morné Steyn whether, having scored 3 tries already in this Super 14, he is focussing on his attacking game this season and his answer was clear…. he praised his forwards and Team for creating the opportunities and only plays his normal game.
I asked Frans about injury situations and when we could expect Bakkies, Dewalt, Akona ect back. It seems Dewalt Potgieter will be back within a week and Bakkies and Chilliboy is only due in 4 weeks.
All in all, the Bulls are confident, yet serious, with feet securely grounded.
Scores:
Bulls: 5 Penalties & 5 Conversions & 2 Tries Morne Steyn, 1 Try Fourie du Preez, 1 Try Gerhard van den Heever, 1 Try Wynand Olivier
Brumbies: 4 Penalties & 1 Conversion Stirling Mortlock, 1 Try Rocky Elsom, 1 Try George Smith, 1 Drop Matt Giteau, 1 Try Pat McCabe
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 John Mametsa.
Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
OK boys and gals…. I’m leaving for Loftus… speak to you from there!
Puma , and other cricket lovers.
Top 10 Test batsmen:
1. Virender Sehwag (IND) 863
2. Hashim Amla (RSA) 842
3. Mahela Jayawardena (SRI) 836
4. Kumar Sangakkara (SRI) 835
5. Gautam Gambhir (IND) 824
T6. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 805
T6. Michael Clarke (AUS) 805
8. Jacques Kallis (RSA) 790
9. Graeme Smith (RSA) 786
10. Ricky Ponting (AUS) 783
India and SA have 3 each there, the only difference India have them a wee bit higher than us. A true reflexion of the series.
Bowlers
Top 10 Test bowlers:
1. Dale Steyn (RSA) 867
2. Mitchell Johnson (AUS) 780
3. Mohammad Asif (PAK) 757
4. M Muralidaran (SRI) 752
5. Graeme Swann (ENG) 732
6. Zaheer Khan (IND) 729
7. Harbhajan Singh (IND) 712
8. Stuart Broad (ENG) 673
9. Stuart Clark (AUS) 668
10. Morne Morkel (RSA) 660
Sorry guys, Im gonna highjack this thread quickly. i read the following on another website.
“Cipriani is the first official signing the Rebels have announced and the news has created interest among prominent Springbok stars Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie and Schalk Burger, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, what a load of BS. They phoned up Burger and habana and asked them what they think of the Rebels. SMH twisted their words in such a way that it sounds like these guys will play for the Rebels NEXT YEAR!
What a joke. Would Rassie let these guys go without a fight? Would JF go through all that sh*t with the Lions just to drop the Stormers? And what about the 2011 WC and the possible return of JDiv?
Typical Aussie media mind games. On the same weekend that the team from SYDNEY plays against said SA players, a SYDNEY newspaper publishes this bollie. HAHAHA, pathetic if you ask me.
ok, back to the Bullies. TRAP HULLE!!!!!
GG
Yes thats how they do it. The press helps where they can, even if it is only a rumor.
GOOOOOOOOOO BULLLLLLLLLLLLLSSS !!!!!!
At least we know we going to get proper rugby.
Middag.
Ek het die krieket gemis gisteraand, maar ek is ten minste bly dat die Lions die punteverskil klein gehou het teen die Chiefs. Aan die einde van die seisoen gaan dit dalk ‘n verskil maak.
Dit sal die Lions nou leer om vinniger te kolf. As hul vroeër begin het om al daardie ‘vyfwe’ en ‘sewes’ te slaan, het hul dit dalk gemaak, maar te einde het die ‘balle’ (minute) opgeraak !
Brakpan is nie vir sissies nie.
Meer volg later.
Wat die Sharks betref, is die oorsaak van hul verloor gisteraand, reeds einde laas seisoen: hulle het nie genoeg Ctahs gekoop nie ! 😉
Goooooooooooooo Bulls (even though dat blerrie blou ballas GBS supported against my team sitting with me) 🙄
😆 dag gbs my maat van yster en plaat
bdb ek het dit al vroeer iewers gese , ek herhaal maar sodat jy ook jou mening kan gee. Daai 18 driee sal ek nie wys onder highligts of beste driee nie maar onder lowlights en pick die swakste verdediging.
Die hele wereld gons oor die storie.
SF , GBS is tans in n kar oppad na die lekkerste plek in SA, Loftus.
Maar ook maar net net.
More to follow.
SF, hahaha, my maat van yster en plaat. is wat my pa gese het JARRE gelede.
In elk geval, ek kan nie sien hoe die Bulls verloor nie, al is dit die Brumbies. Gaan ‘n goeie goeie game wees, maar Bulls behoort hom te vat.
Dan weer, dis wat ek ook gisteraan van die Sharks gese het…
Superbul, het jy nie bedoel die commenste plek in SA nie? ;-P
I think I need to go watch a game at Loftus this year to see what its like because I believe its awesome..
2 – Super, Great to see Amla’s name there. Tell you what, he keeps batting like that, he will be the best in the world very soon. He was just outstanding in this test series in India.
Great to see Steyn’s name there being the number one bowler in the world.
Now for the WI. WE need to select well and not take the out of form batsmen with. Otherwise Oz going to catch up with us in the ranking. They only 2 points behind us and playing NZ next where they going to pick up some points
14 – Winston, That is my goal too. Actually was thinking about this game today but just feel to lazy, rather just relax and watch on tv.
Sharkie se vrou: Sharkie, soen my op ‘n lekka plek, ag toe ???
Sharkie: No ways, ek ry nie nou Loftus toe nie !
🙂
GG jy weet maak soos Winston en gaan kyk daar n game, die vibe is goed daar. As jy instap voel jy hoe die wen gode vir jou smile. Daar kom so selfversekerde rustigheid op jou. Jy voel vry om vir jou span te skree. Jy kry daai gees om blou te word, dan paint jy jou maar.
Die laaste plek waar ek nou n game wil kyk, gelukkig gaan toer hulle, is in die Shark tank, daai swart klere en daai begrafnis atmosfeer van gisteraand…. nee hel die Sharks moet berading reel vir n paar van hul ondersteuners. Dit was n sad place gisteraand
Lyk my regtig dinge is nie honkie dorie daar nie.
Hi Puma. Dale Steyn is the best fast bowler we have had since re-admission,to take 10 wickets in a test match in India is unbelievable. if’m I’m not mistaken there is a test match at Loftus this year so might make a guest appearance at that game. How awful were the Sharks last night?
10: ja, dit help nie jy druk 20 drieë maar die span teen jou druk 25 drieë nie. Maar, Chiefs het 9 punte gekry, weg van die huis, so hulle sterte is in die lug.
3 – GG, Read that on Rugby365. Think it is all just press talk. What to they think we are? Fools? Burger, JF and Habs are going no where until after the WC. Then maybe and only maybe. Think those 3 will go off to Europe and earn the big bucks over there. M.Rebels will never pay as much as the clubs in France or England. They can dream on.
Probably the only thing that may draw them there, is the warm climate and lifestyle, which is really good in OZ.
I was at the Shark tank for the semi final that we lost to the Cheetah’s and the vibe was rubbish,I could not believe that only 31000 people pitched up for the final.. But yeah,am keen to see what fort Loftus is all about and check out Hatfield square afterwards.
But you guys must go to Loftus when the Bulls are playing there, that is a sight to behold.
18: ek het ‘n ongemaklike gevoel oor vandag se wedstryd, dink dit gaan een van ons moeilikste wedstryde wees vir die jaar. Miskien moet ek ‘n rukkie gaan lê tot daardie ongemaklike gevoel weggaan !
Wonder hoeveel kaartjies is verkoop vir die Loftus wedstryd, weet iemand ?
19 – Winston, Yip there is a Test Match at Loftus this year. Was going to go to that but wont be up in Joburg that time. Think I may be overseas for awhile during that time. So may go to one of the S14 games before I leave Joburg.
Good to see Steyn’s name right on top of the list there. Yes he is the only bowler fro SA to have taken 10 wickets in India. Something to be proud of.
Sharks were awful. How as that try by Cheetahs? Ran past us as if we were not even on the field. In parts we looked okay especially just before Kanko got his try. We looked actually good for that period. Cheetahs deserved the win. I could say what ifs but it wont help. If Rory got all his kicks but that is not the point. We need to score more tries. Think we could land up with the wooden spoon this year. Between us and the Landers it looks so far. Our tour is going to be a huge battle. Not even sure we will pick up a win on that tour the way we are playing right now. The only thing we can do is try not any team get 5 points against us to help our saffa sides. Ore try at least to win one away!!
26 – Sorry for typos there. I make plenty so ignore..haha.
@18 SB
hey, ek joke sommer. Ek het nog nie ‘n game op Roftus gekyk nie, maar ons het daar ‘n draai gemaak met ‘n rugby toer in 2005. Het amoer 2 dae straight ook by Sin Bin gekuier. Nou DAAI plek is lekker!
23 – Super, I actually wanted to go this game. Just feel lazy today. Will try and go before I leave Joburg.
What happens if you wear your Sharks jersey?……. 😉
Maybe go in a neutral colour and wear white 😀
@21 Puma, like I said…
Its a SYDNEY newspaper reporting on a MELBOURNE-related issue… on the same weekend that a SYDNEY team is playing against these three players. Anything to take Habs, Mossie and Burger’s mind of the game, right?
sad really…
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