Bulls coach Frans Ludeke says Springbok utility back Francois Hougaard will mainly play at scrumhalf in this year’s Super Rugby tournament.
Sport24
Hougaard has been used at wing by both the Bulls and the Springboks to great effect in the last while but Ludeke admitted to Beeld that Hougaard will play most of his rugby this season in the No 9 jumper.
“Hougie wants to make his mark at scrumhalf this year and we gave him the assurance that he will get enough chances there,” said Ludeke.
He will, however, still be used on the left wing at times by the three-time Super Rugby champions.
Jano Vermaak is the other main scrumhalf on their books and he will add valuable experience at No 9. Hougaard has only played five of his 29 Super Rugby matches for the Bulls at scrumhalf, while Vermaak has 62 Super Rugby appearances for the Lions in this position.
“Hougie really wants to play there (scrumhalf), but he’s also a team man and realise that there could be times where we might call on his number at wing.
“Jano is himself a brilliant player and then we obviously also have Ruan Snyman to call upon,” said Ludeke.
The amount of times Hougaard would have to help out on the wing will probably depend on the form of new recruit JJ Engelbrecht, veteran wing Akona Ndungane and speedster Bjorn Basson.
I also recon that Hougie should now be given a decent shot at scrummie, to fill the void left by Fourie du Preez at both the Bulls and the Springboks.
Nurture this oke correctly and he could very quickly step into Fourie du Preez’ shoes, making very important impact on tactical decision making at the Bulls and the Springboks.
So, I’d play Hougie as a definate starter at No 9 and after 60 minutes or so move him to left wing (No 11) and bring Jano Vermaak on, so as to give Jano sufficient game time.
At that juncture I would shift Bjorn Basson from left wing (No 11) to fullback and let Kirchner go off (Bulls need to increase depth at fullback and to my mind Bjorn’s the man). Bjorn has great potential at fullback too.
JJ Engelbrecht and Aikona would have to fight for the No 14, right wing berth.
For the first time in a long time I think the Bulls backline now has all the ingredients to be ultra lethal, specially since I think we have shored up great at No 13 with Sadie in place of the reasonably mediocre Jaco Pretorius or any of the 2 Stefan / Stephans.
Hougie has a vibrance and determination unrivaled anyware, and always crosses the advantage line. I would do one more thing, if I were the Bulls, and that is to shift importance away from a kick-and-chase game, to a more rounded attacking backline strategy, keeping more backline possession, counter-attacking more… and when kicking is required to plug more for the corners and playing territorial strenght.
With the pack of forwards they have and the exceptional quality in the looseforwards, a territorial game with great momentum going forward in attack and momentous pressure on opposition ball in the opposition half, this could make the Bulls forwards a massive weapon.
It appeared from the last time I partied with the Bulls coaches, management and players, that this recipy was on the cards… Heyneke and Frans clearly indicating that there will be a shift in the way the backline approaches ball possession, keeping possession and becoming more dangerous with backline attacking options… and a suttle shift away from using too many kicking options.
Fourie du Preez was known for his tactical kicking game, he’s gone now and both Hougie and Jano are more attacking and distributing scrumhalves…. and one should always play to your strenghts.
Hell, I sound very confident… and to a large part I really am, that just being tempered by the fact that the Bulls have lost a wealth of experienced players.
I’m glad Fourie du Preez are playing in Japan. He’s a legend of South African rugby and I think he still have another 4 years in him. Think less game time will give him time to recover fully and return back to his best. If I were the Springbok coach he would definitely not have played his last test for the Springboks. Saw Ruan Pienaar signed until the end of 2014 to stay at Ulster so I doubt that we’d see him again playing in South Africa. I think JJ Engelbrecht is should be a sure starter at 14.
9. Francois Houghaard
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Johann Sadie
14. JJ Engelbrecht
15. Zane Kirchner
Will probably make up our backline. It would be good seeing Lionel Cronje getting game time at both fly-half and fullback. Still sad the Bulls let Gerhard van den Heever go, would’ve loved two big fast wingers in him and JJ. The big question is whether Morne Steyn will put his body on the line like he used to in previous seasons. Last season he did look a lot more hesitant to put in the big hits, but as Bulls supporters we know he’s a 78% defender, and I’d like to see him take it a bit up. Would like to see Frans Venter also getting a lot of game time. He’s really been impressive every time I saw him play.
Oh my I meant is playing not are playing. What the hell… Shoots self lol
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