The men from Pretoria, the Vodacom Bulls, started strong and seemed in control of proceedings against the Highlanders. With lock Victor Matfield leading from the front, they were comfortably winning their lineouts and also won key scrum battles more often than not. (Photo of the man sorely missed on the left – Deon Stegmann)
Sport24
The Vodacom Bulls lost 27-20 to the Highlanders in their Vodacom Super Rugby match in Dunedin on Friday.
However, a strong final 10 minutes in the first half sparked the home side into life and the teams went into the shed level at 13-all.
Those 10 minutes gave the hosts all the momentum they needed and they came out stronger in the second period.
The Bulls had ample chances to wrestle back momentum, but made numerous errors at crucial stages to lose their second match on tour.
Their loss was the 10th in a row by a South African team in Australasia in 2014.
3 Key areas which cost the Bulls:
1. Handling errors
It was without doubt the worst handling display by any side in a Super Rugby match in living memory.
The Bulls knocked the ball on no less than 14 times in a pretty forgettable second half. They had ample chances to get points, but knock-on after knock-on cost them dearly.
A lot of those knocks were also made inside the strike zone, which made it all the more disappointing. (Bulls could have won almost all their games if they could finish off better)
The skill-set displayed by the Bulls was poor for the image of South African rugby!
2. Defence
The Bulls were seemingly in control after 30 minutes, but slipped crucial tackles at key moments, with the hosts often counter-attacking from deep inside their own territory.
In all, the Bulls missed 19 tackles – a statistic which proved too costly in the end as the hosts ran in three tries.
3. Lack of composure on attack
The Bulls showed plenty of willingness to attack and force the play. They also had numerous chances to stamp their authority for the full 80 minutes – as reflected in the 130 tackles the Highlanders had to make.
The Bulls won 18 lineouts which gave them the perfect opportunity to attack with their most potent weapon – the driving maul.
However, they struggled to finish off numerous promising mauls and also did not make use of all 14 penalties awarded to them.
An inability to round off so many chances points to a lack of composure and patience at crucial stages in the game.
The Bulls now travel to Sydney where they will face the Waratahs next Saturday.
Key Statistics:
Metres run: Highlanders 347-336 Bulls (Bulls right up there with the New Zealand teams)
Carries: Highlanders 72-123 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Highlanders 19-15 Bulls
Clean breaks: Highlanders 6-5 Bulls
Tackles made: Highlanders 130-63
Tackles missed: Highlanders 15-19 Bulls
Turnovers won: Highlanders 14-4 Bulls (absolutely devastating stats)
Kicks in play: Highlanders 30-33 Bulls
Lineouts won: Highlanders 8-18 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Highlanders 2-1 Bulls
Scrums won: Highlanders 8-6 Bulls
Scrums lost: Highlanders 5-1 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Highlanders 14-7 Bulls
(Comments in lighter blue and highlighted represents text added)
Personal observations by SuperBul:
What I said before the game was proven true, this Bulls team has upped a gear and is playing more with the ball.
Jacques-Louis Potgieter breaks through defenses regularly and is an eye-opener , the best No 10 the Bulls have had for a long time, one of the best buys this year.
I see light in the tunnel for the Bulls, they could have been in a great position if they had managed to be more patient. Practice makes perfect, so I urge the Bulls to just keep doing it and they could become a complete team, with a complete game plan.
Nice one superBul, article having the facts that point to a shabby display by us but then also ending off putting things into positive perspective
Remember the Currie cup last year. The Bulls did not have a lot of players in the national team, yet they lost most of their games. This year, in a tougher competition, they could have been the best SA team. It seems their progress was just too fast for their own minds.
What can i say, i hate to feel good because we play a better game, but still lose almost all that really counts.
I see the Vodacom team is doing a bit better too.
All is well, we must build and i will stay true to the Blue, but…..
Do we have the long term contracts in place. Can we keep this group together? Or are we just acting as a shopping mall for the rich clubs up North?
Loyalty does not exist in the new generation, it all about fast big money.
The Big 5 off the Bulls are highly experienced. With them holding their own our back 3 can develop.
We have great players there, some young some older and lend from overseas clubs but the group of 6-8 is either experienced/young and exciting.
Playing behind VM and FvdM gives them the right leadership. Things look “heel OK”
Backs
9/10. Not too shaby, wont call them the best but i can live and like them.
Wings and senters heel OK and Jurgen is playing himself in just like Zane did. Took a long , long time for most ardent Bulls supporters to see what FL saw in him. He is not dropping the Team.
Sherrel Calder would have enjoyed working with this team NOW.
Bulls need to give VM and Slapchips a bit more time to get the things they are trying to do to settle in.
I just love the way JLP sees a real opportunity and dont try and break or run with EVERY ball. His judgement is sound.
Stegman, Flo or Brussouw should be the first name on any team sheet if they are available.
@Pietman
Brussouw played for the Free State Vodacom side this weekend.
Maar WP het gewen, lekker ou WP
I would be very reluctant to pick Deon Stegman in a bok team. For me it would be FLo, HB or Minnie.
Francois is head and shoulders (literally as well as figuratively) above the rest though.
It is funny how rugby works, the Bulls started out this year with everyone believing they have an “easy”, tour… and now they are playing 3 of the teams in the top 6 including the hurricanes who were on a winning streak.
It is flippen tough, but we still need a win at least 1 of the next two games.
@ MacroBull:
Yes, last year’s top teams are not this year’s.
Funny old game this is.
We played the Saders, Chiefs, Reds and Brumbies, all past champions, and 2 of them last year’s finalists, and we were in contention against all at times in the match.
The log is not showing how close this tournament really is. The only team that looks ahead of the pack at the moment is the Sharks. They still have to tour though.
Some good Openside flanks around… Jaco Kriel & Derick Minnie of the Lions, Deon Stegmann from the Bulls (who will be operated on, on his groin injury and who would be out for 4 to 6 months), Heinrich Brussow (coming back from Japan & injury), Flo Louw, Marcell Coetzee of the Sharks (who has had a great season so far)… to name a few
@ Stormersboy:
@7 Yes, but I was merely referring to picking those players at S15 level, had they been available to the franchise.
As you know, Doc Craven used to believe you pick your tighthead prop first and then the rest, but nowadays it would appear that you need to look at your open-sider, hooker and #5 lock first.
the Brokebacks are the best team.
they prop up all the other teams
😀
@ nortierd:
what me worry
nice one
Ja Bulls friends, it’s shit to be shitter than you should be hey, from a saddened Stormers fan
@ Atlas:
Haha sies.
True though
@ Pietman:/yes amazing how the game has changed. We now place special emphasis on certain aspects of the game, with the eye on taking points off things like scrums, lineouts and turnovers.
Sad really but it’s become critical to have those areas covered.
Sport24 reporting that Stuart Berry is to ref’ the Stormers – Lions game this weekend.
Jaco Peyper has the Sharks – Cheetahs game.
I can see the accusations already.
Well then. the Cheetahs may as well just take the bye week and go to margate for easters.
18 @ MacroBull:
Sharks by a sh1thouse full?
Peyper with the whistle. Craig Joubert and Marius Jonker with the falgs!
@ Scrumdown:
they may even get 4 tries
20 @ MacroBull:
Between Pyper and Joubert, they’ll MAKE SURE there’s a 4 try bonus point.
By hook or by crook?
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