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JJ Harmse
Pretoria – Western Province must be considered favourites for Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Newlands.
They are playing at home, are unbeaten and playing very good rugby. Those are the facts no-one can ignore, says Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
“They made a very good transition from the Super 14 to the Currie Cup, probably better than any other team,” Ludeke said on Tuesday as the Bulls started preparations for the big game.
“I think the fact that they have been able to virtually keep their tight five intact has contributed to that. The Bulls had to cope without four locks and possibly did not adapt as quickly.”
Ludeke makes it clear that no Blue Bulls team has ever gone to Newlands without the belief that it can win and warns WP that his troops will be pitching with the same attitude.
“We are focusing on our own game and have set goals for the game. The guys realise it will be tough, but challenges have always brought the best out of the Blue Bulls,” said Ludeke.
This kind of game is usually won up front and forwards coach Johan van Graan said that chances are slim that last year’s scrum fiasco, when WP scored a pushover try in the corresponding fixture, will be repeated.
“I think the scrumming laws are being applied well by referees across the board. Loosehead props, for example, are not being allowed to place their left hands on the ground and that goes a long way in ensuring a fair scrum contest,” said Van Graan.
This is a reference to WP loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw, who got away with this tactic last year and placed the Bulls scrum under a lot of pressure.
“We have Marius Jonker as referee on Saturday and that is good news. He is one of the world’s best and has handled many previous matches between ourselves and WP. He won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere,” said Van Graan.
Ludeke was still uncertain about which players he will be getting back from the Bok squad, but it’s almost certain that Zane Kirchner and Dewald Potgieter will be in the Bulls side that will play against WP.
Kirchner will be picked at fullback, with Jaco van der Westhuyzen set to be considered as a substitute.
Potgieter played against the Leopards, so is expected to make up the loose-trio with Derick Kuün and Gerrit-Jan van Velze.
Dean Greyling may play at loosehead prop. He played against the Pumas and Sharks before a sore neck forced him out of the team. He could replace Jaco Engels.
With Van der Westhuyzen capable of playing every backline position except scrumhalf, Ludeke can consider a bench split of five forwards and two backs.
Pretoria – Western Province must be considered favourites for Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls at Newlands.
They are playing at home, are unbeaten and playing very good rugby. Those are the facts no-one can ignore, says Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
“They made a very good transition from the Super 14 to the Currie Cup, probably better than any other team,” Ludeke said on Tuesday as the Bulls started preparations for the big game.
“I think the fact that they have been able to virtually keep their tight five intact has contributed to that. The Bulls had to cope without four locks and possibly did not adapt as quickly.”
Ludeke makes it clear that no Blue Bulls team has ever gone to Newlands without the belief that it can win and warns WP that his troops will be pitching with the same attitude.
“We are focusing on our own game and have set goals for the game. The guys realise it will be tough, but challenges have always brought the best out of the Blue Bulls,” said Ludeke.
This kind of game is usually won up front and forwards coach Johan van Graan said that chances are slim that last year’s scrum fiasco, when WP scored a pushover try in the corresponding fixture, will be repeated.
“I think the scrumming laws are being applied well by referees across the board. Loosehead props, for example, are not being allowed to place their left hands on the ground and that goes a long way in ensuring a fair scrum contest,” said Van Graan.
This is a reference to WP loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw, who got away with this tactic last year and placed the Bulls scrum under a lot of pressure.
“We have Marius Jonker as referee on Saturday and that is good news. He is one of the world’s best and has handled many previous matches between ourselves and WP. He won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere,” said Van Graan.
Ludeke was still uncertain about which players he will be getting back from the Bok squad, but it’s almost certain that Zane Kirchner and Dewald Potgieter will be in the Bulls side that will play against WP.
Kirchner will be picked at fullback, with Jaco van der Westhuyzen set to be considered as a substitute.
Potgieter played against the Leopards, so is expected to make up the loose-trio with Derick Kuün and Gerrit-Jan van Velze.
Dean Greyling may play at loosehead prop. He played against the Pumas and Sharks before a sore neck forced him out of the team. He could replace Jaco Engels.
With Van der Westhuyzen capable of playing every backline position except scrumhalf, Ludeke can consider a bench split of five forwards and two backs.
