Bulls bank on better defence

Cape Town - Blue Bulls defence coach Pine Pienaar says they are intent on defending better in this year’s Currie Cup.

The men from Pretoria started poorly last season, conceding 10 tries in their first two games against the Lions and Western Province.

It put them on the back foot and their campaign was eventually ended when they lost to WP in the semi-finals at Newlands.

Pienaar, who was head coach last year before being replaced by Nollis Marias for the 2015 campaign, said they would need to start off better in 2015.

“We didn’t start well and it immediately put us under pressure. On paper, the teams are looking pretty even this year and the expectation is that everyone will attempt to play attacking rugby. Defence will be critical from the start,” Pienaar told Netwerk24.

In this year’s Super Rugby competition, the Bulls were on course to have the best defensive record of the South African teams until they conceded six tries in their final game against the Cheetahs. Eventually, they conceded 39 tries in 16 games.

Pienaar said they would be looking to build on the foundations laid in this year’s Super Rugby competition.

The Bulls have a number of young players in their Currie Cup squad, but Pienaar said it shouldn’t prove a problem.

“The advantage is that this season I’m also involved with the Vodacom Cup and Under-21 teams.

“I think there’s a good understanding among the youngsters about how we want to defend.”

The Bulls start their Currie Cup campaign away to the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, August 8.