There are a number of anomalies in the Super 14 this year, things that some might call ironic, and others just plain stupid. Teams aren’t behaving the way they are supposed to, the Reds think they are championship contenders, the Bulls think they can play running rugby, and the Lions think they are a rugby team.
However, while the Lions and the Reds will sort themselves out as the season progress, the Bulls need to catch a wake-up, because a weak Bulls side (as enjoyable as it might be), is just not on, as far as South African rugby goes.
For some reason or another, the Bulls approached the 2010 season, as if their previous efforts (which included 2 Super 14 trophies and a Currie Cup) weren’t good enough, or maybe they were tired of winning. I don’t know if it is the influence of Slaptjips Rossouw, maybe Frans Ludeke only now showing his true colours or maybe the fatigue monster rearing his ugly head, but whetever it is it needs to stop.
Bulls rugby is boring, usually you get more highlights in the Sharks teams’ hairdo’s than in a season of Bulls rugby. But if we and their supporters expect them to remain a dominant force in world rugby, we need to accept this. The natural game of the Bulls is basically a form of test rugby, where, against weaker teams they score multitudes of tries and points, and against stronger teams, they force them into submission, with tedious, forward dominated ground and pound, yet structured and disciplined play.
This might be grasping for straws, but it seems as if the Bulls have taken the criticism about their style of play to heart, and then tried to rectify the situation, by changing their way of play, and their approach to rugby in general.
Unfortunately, this will basically only work against teams who are low on confidence and/or skill, which the Bulls duly found out against the Blues and the Reds, both teams dominated them up front, and forced them to make errors, sound familiar at all? I thought so.
Heynecke Meyer, the main architect of the current Bulls team, invested in players and structures, which supports the classical Bulls style of play, and now, because some people aren’t happy with the old boring way, they are trying to have those same players, going against everything that is natural to them, changing what they are as players, and who the Bulls are as a team. Now, because it isn’t coming off, we have the audacity to AGAIN criticize them, for doing what all supporters wanted them to do.
Imagine the toll on the players, they weren’t the brightest to begin with, now they are expected to learn a new style of play, under new and stricter ELV’s and even worse, without any Bulls babes to cheer them on.
Don’t get me wrong, I hate the Bulls, not because they play boring rugby, not because they are Super 14 champions, and not because they have some of the worst supporters alive, no. I hate them because I am a WP / Stormer supporter, and it is the right thing to do, I was also one of the guys moaning about their boring play. However, this does not detract from the bigger picture, they remain fellow Springboks, and we must all be united against overseas opposition.
Even if we do not admit it, we need the Bulls to be strong, they are the foundation upon which the World Cup has been won, and they represent the stability required, for the quicksilver players, some from other teams, to be able to work their magic.
But then we need the Bulls to be BULLS and not the Daisies they were on Saturday, we need rugby that puts us to sleep, and even leaves the commentators thinking they are repeating themselves. In short, we need the Bulls, to stop the Bullshit, and bring the pain.
30: maar oop HUIDIGE vorm sien ek die dinge so:
Stormers
Reds
Saders
Bulle
It is severely difficult to judge who will make up No 1 – 4
It still feels to me like the 2 SA Teams of the Bulls and Stormers should be up there in No 1 & No 2 spots…. but the Saders and the Sharks are going to make life difficult for the Bulls and Stormers, that’s for sure!
Sharks need to really step up to the plate and drown the Blues chances for a semi this week…. come on Sharkies! Well it is basically a case of… either the Sharks are out of the running or the Blues are out of the running, really!
Some team also needs to nullify the Waratahs…. their road ahead it too easy!
Stormers, you HAVE TO beat the Reds…. come on, just do it!
Bulls will have to whip the Lions to get their points difference up…. Goooooooo Bulls!
I would love a 1. Stormers and 2. Bulls end. Then we must get to the finals at Newlands. That would be the ultimate game. Orlando dont deserve a Final.
How nice will it be to beat the Bulls and deny them a home semi or even a semi. I can’t care less that they are a South African outfit. It is the Lions and 13 other teams that are playing the S14. I hope we pull this one out of the bag to gain some confidence going into the Currie Cup.
Nice one above, yeez they have a great praise singer there.
News24 Poll
The Bulls’ defeat to the Reds has thrown the Super 14 race wide open. With four rounds remaining, who is your pick to lift the trophy?
9 %Crusaders
40 %Bulls
48 %Stormers
2 %Reds
1 %Waratahs
1 %Brumbies
Strange how one game can stir things up… suddenly the Stormpoppie supportes all think their team is invincible…. are they?
So are every one now writing of the bulls?
And if the Stormers lose against the Reds, are they out of the competion as well?
Silly and premature on both counts. The fight is on for semi places, and according to me the bulls is the best placed team to end first. 3 home games at loftus (maybe) where they have now won 15 games in a row must surely count in their favour.
If the Stormers beat the Reds this weekend they will be my favourites for a second spot. But, the Stormers have lost against the Brumbies (home) and the Force (away), and i honestly feel the Reds are better than both those teams. So this will be their watershed game this year. Hope they win for SA sake.
37: goed gestel Snoek.
Die naweek, soos elke naweek wat volg, kan dinge baie verander.
4 weke is ‘n lang tyd. In 2007 het Bulle maar 22 logpunte gehad, en in 2009 net 29. Die res is geskiedenis.
Niks is finaal tot en met na 15 Mei wie in die semi’s gaan wees nie.
Ons vat dit een week op ‘n slag.
The Bulls lost it at the ruck/tackle-point. The ref didn’t help.
The Bulls will not win the S14 if they don’t fix the defense, most importantly:
1. First up tackles in front of the advantage line. The keep-on-your-feet-and-tackle-the-ball strategy is not working. You lose 10-15 yards on every phase.
2. Ruck/tackle-point. The Reds were able to charge over the top of the early breakdown, preventing the Bulls from accessing the ball. Loitering and lazy running/lying added to the problem on our ball.
Bakkies would help with this, but the game plan needs to change.
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