Courtesy of Onerb:

As supporters we must often be reminded that our teams have weaknesses, some we recognise and others we will not readily accept although they are crystal clear. 

Today I am not going to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Bulls. I’m merely correlating the view that the Cheetahs have the Sharks number on any other day with the FACT that the Bulls struggle against the Force.

Let me explain – Since the Force formed part of the Super rugby fraternity in 2006 everyone expected them to struggle initially, their South African new entrants The Cheetahs were expected to struggle as well and those 2 teams were earmarked for the wooden spoon in 2006.

In the very first year the Bulls won away at Subiaco in what was a very tight affair after the Bulls lead 24-0 lead in the last quarter and almost losing it edging the force 21-30 in the end with a last minute penalty exaggerating the points difference on the score sheet.

The Bulls seem to put the boot in early on and then let them come back as proved in the corresponding fixture in 2007 at Loftus Versveld when they squandered a 17-9 halftime lead to eventually lose 30-27. The game was marred with couple of perplexing decisions by Matfield going for the corner after being awarded numerous penalties in the last 5 minutes to at least draw the match. 

The next 2 years also sees the Bulls having brain explosions with mind boggling regularity when all was needed was a cool head. 2008 the Bulls put up a brave effort in Perth to be denied by one point when the game was on a knife edge until the last play of the match. Memories of Bakkies Botha giving away a crucial penalty while the Bulls were camping on the Force’s line(Didn’t take the shot at goal again) is implanted in my brain. That is also the game where Bakkies got his eye cut open in a scuffle with Nathan Sharpe the game ended 14-15 to the Force and the “Ludeke must go” echo’s were becoming more frequent.

The year of the Bull(2009) saw the Force visit Pretoria and at that stage they were still in contention of a semi-final had other games gone their way. The Bulls played to a 26-10 lead after 53 minutes and the bonus point seemed imminent. But brainfart central set in with 2 tries went begging when we were either over the line or spilled it right in front(Read Jaco Pretorius). We had to be saved by 2 penalty kciks once again as we closed out the game with a narrow 32-29 victory.

So I base my assumption on the above results as an indication as to why Nathan Sharpe feels confident about Saturday’s game. They know how to unsettle the Bulls and expect an expected niggling game as this is the way the Force counter the Bulls.

It might be a lot closer than the pundits will aknowledge but don’t be surpised if the the Bulls are Forced to get a win on week 2 of their Australasian tour.

Results:

2006       Perth                     Bulls won 30-21

2007       Pretoria               Force won 30-27

2008       Perth                     Force won 15-14

2009       Pretoria               Bulls won 32-29

Interesting fact confirming my view that there is indiscipline when the two teams play:

2006       0 Yellow cards

2007       Yellow Anton Leaonard, Yellow Junior Pelesasa

2008       Yellow Scott Fava, Yellow Stegman(with 5 minutes to go)

2009       Yellow card Morne Steyn

My take on the game. The Bulls lose when there is a lot of off the ball handbags being thrown around.

Keep it disciplined and don’t react when the Likes of Sharp and Cross start playing off the ball.