Nollis Marais
Loftus Versfeld is slowly filling up on match days again and it is because spectators are getting “value for money”.
The spectators were conspicuous in their absence at the end of yet another failed Super Rugby season, but this past weekend more than 27 000 people turned up to watch the Vodacom Blue Bulls produce a 5-try demolition of arch-rivals DHL Western Province.
Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais, speaking after his team’s 47 / 29 win over WP, said one of his biggest concerns since he accepted the Currie Cup job, was the empty stadium.
“The main thing is there were 27 000 people and we said we wanted to play for people,” Marais said, adding: “We want to give them value for money and we did that.”
The Blue Bulls have been through a few lean years – failing to make a real impact in both Super Rugby at the Currie Cup competition.
“We just stepped it up and I’m glad the people came and had a good time,” he said of his team’s entertaining performance at the weekend.
Captain Pieter ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne echoed similar sentiments.
“Coach Nollis said that if the people pay to come watch us, they must have something to watch,” Labuschagne said of his team’s newfound expansive game.
“He has put the self-believe back in us. He has brought us back together as a unit and that comes out on the field.
“It is great to have a stadium with so many spectators – it means a tremendous amount to us.”
There are a few injury concerns – with loose forwards Roelof Smit and Hanro Liebenberg having left the field late in the 1st half.
Marais revealed that Roelof Smit suffered a hip-pincher, but could be fit got the encounter with Griquas in Kimberley this coming Saturday.
Liebenberg, who took a nasty body blow, was sent to the hospital to ensure there’s no serious internal damage.
Marais said Liebenberg is a concern.
While the Blue Bulls can get better, Marais also made it clear there are still too many mistakes.
“There are too many basic errors – like the breakdown and set pieces – that we need to sort out.
“We are way off from where we want to be.”
The coach was also full of praise for his young back 3 – wings Jamba Ulengo and Travis Ismaiel, as well as fullback Warrick Gelant – who stole the spotlight from their more fancied WP rivals.
“It is amazing, if you give players the opportunity to play and use their natural strengths what they can achieve,” Marais said.
“Warrick used to get a lot of unnecessary criticism. However, he is an unbelievable player .
“That back 3 want to play. I have been asked before about the mistakes a player like Jamba has made in the past. What he showed in this game is that he can play.”
Marais spoke of making some “minor tweaks” to Ulengo’s game.
“The back 3 are lethal at the moment – they play with confidence and know that as a team we believe in them.
“And when they make mistakes, we’ll fix it.”
The coach admitted the scrum is another import aspect they need to work on.
“I would like to go look at that again,” he said of the 1 aspect of the game where WP dominated.
“It appeared the scrum was stable and then it is as if there’s a 2nd shove.
“Obviously I am not happy with it. We concede too many penalties in that set piece.”
While Marais feels his team was scrumming better than the previous week, he said that is an area were they are not good in at the moment.
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