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Bulls: Carter still a threat

JJ Harmse

Pretoria – In previous years the first goal against the Crusaders in the Super 14 was simple: Get Dan Carter.

Gallery: Bulls train ahead of Crusaders clash

The rest was sure to follow if you could knock the gifted flyhalf out of his rhythm and not allow him to dictate the game with his vision and skills.

It won’t be different for the Bulls in Friday’s match against the Crusaders, except for the fact that to date Carter has not been the factor that everyone expected in this year’s tournament.

In fact, to say that Carter is struggling is to put it mildly - out of respect for one of the best players to have kicked a rugby ball.

By his own standards Carter is playing badly. His success ratio at posts is 70%, he’s struggling with his tactical kicking and he was not aggressive in the tackle as he tried to prevent Jaque Fourie from scoring his exceptional try at Newlands.

Even Crusaders assistant coach Mark Hammett has admitted that their match-winner is struggling for form.

“DC (Carter) may be slightly off form, but I believe it’s a good thing for him. In the past the likes of Aaron Mauger would have assisted him, but this year he has a group of young players on his outside,” said Hammett.

“It may be frustrating for Dan, but I think his game is developing and he’s growing as a player through it.

“It’s also time for the young guys to start making decisions and pass it on to Dan rather than to wait and see what he intends doing. The game is too fast at this level to wait for one guy to make a decision.”

That may be why the visitors have picked Dan Bowden at centre for what will be a critical game for them.

The Aucklander is actually a flyhalf and played two seasons for the Highlanders in the No 10 jersey.

His inclusion points to the Crusaders looking to use the boot on Friday at Loftus.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said that his team would still have to keep an eye on Carter, irrespective of his form.

“I have seen with our own world class players who lost form that they have the ability to come back. Carter will definitely do that as well. Your team-mates also have to help you in that regard,” said Ludeke.

Teams:


Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner,14. Gerhard van der Heever, 13. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 12. Wynand Olivier, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Fourie du Preez, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Dewald Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Danie Rossouw, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Gary Botha, 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Bees Roux, 18. Bakkies Botha, 19. Pedrie Wannenburg, 20. Stephan Dippenaar, 21. Jaco van der Westhuyzen

Crusaders:
15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti’i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Dan Perrin, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Jared Payne
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