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By JJ Harmse - Rapport
Pretoria – The Bulls see Friday’s game against the Brumbies in Canberra as a potential stepping stone to a home semifinal in this year’s Super14.
Bulls captain Fourie du Preez emphasised that they have not yet accomplished their mission on tour. That will only be the case once the Brumbies have been beaten.
“We know what is at stake. A win here in Canberra will edge us closer to the play-offs,” said the scrumhalf.
According to Du Preez the Bulls are playing to stay in the top four and nothing has changed now that Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield aren’t available.
“We had an enjoyable tour and now have an opportunity to finish it on a good note. The players have confidence in one another and while we will miss the likes of Bakkies, other players will now get the opportunity to keep us on the winning track.”
Du Preez realises it will be a tough task.
The Brumbies are being emotionally driven by Shawn Mackay’s recent death and his funeral last Wednesday.
“We lost Ettienne Botha and you don’t just forget someone like that. The Mackay-factor will stay with the Brumbies for a while. We will have to keep level heads to win this one,” said Du Preez.
It did not require a complicated teamtalk from Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
“Play rugby in the right areas and make sure you limit their space,” Ludeke said of his advice to the team.
“We have had to adapt a little because of the situation with Bakkies and Victor. The Brumbies will test us and if we can adapt, we will pull this one off.”
The Brumbies are seeking their third successive victory over a South African side and have only lost two of their 33 games against South African opposition in Canberra.
The last of those defeats was against the Bulls in 2007.
Pedrie Wannenburg, who scored a try for the Bulls in their 19-7 win that day, is again in the pack that will have to show it can cope without Botha and Matfield.
Wannenburg’s experience will be important. “With him there we will keep our weight and physical presence in the pack. His experience is vitally important and I believe he will deliver a good performance,” said Ludeke.
The home team is without its most dangerous attacker in Mark Gerrard, who has a hamstring injury. Wing Alfi Mafi cannot play because of a groin injury.
Stirling Mortlock will play wing and Adam Ashley-Cooper will be at fullback. Both Wallabies are exceptional ball-carriers, but can also use the boot.
“It’s important to have good kickers against the Bulls. Their pattern demands it and I don’t mind playing wing,” Mortlock told AFP.
Pretoria – The Bulls see Friday’s game against the Brumbies in Canberra as a potential stepping stone to a home semifinal in this year’s Super14.
Bulls captain Fourie du Preez emphasised that they have not yet accomplished their mission on tour. That will only be the case once the Brumbies have been beaten.
“We know what is at stake. A win here in Canberra will edge us closer to the play-offs,” said the scrumhalf.
According to Du Preez the Bulls are playing to stay in the top four and nothing has changed now that Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield aren’t available.
“We had an enjoyable tour and now have an opportunity to finish it on a good note. The players have confidence in one another and while we will miss the likes of Bakkies, other players will now get the opportunity to keep us on the winning track.”
Du Preez realises it will be a tough task.
The Brumbies are being emotionally driven by Shawn Mackay’s recent death and his funeral last Wednesday.
“We lost Ettienne Botha and you don’t just forget someone like that. The Mackay-factor will stay with the Brumbies for a while. We will have to keep level heads to win this one,” said Du Preez.
It did not require a complicated teamtalk from Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
“Play rugby in the right areas and make sure you limit their space,” Ludeke said of his advice to the team.
“We have had to adapt a little because of the situation with Bakkies and Victor. The Brumbies will test us and if we can adapt, we will pull this one off.”
The Brumbies are seeking their third successive victory over a South African side and have only lost two of their 33 games against South African opposition in Canberra.
The last of those defeats was against the Bulls in 2007.
Pedrie Wannenburg, who scored a try for the Bulls in their 19-7 win that day, is again in the pack that will have to show it can cope without Botha and Matfield.
Wannenburg’s experience will be important. “With him there we will keep our weight and physical presence in the pack. His experience is vitally important and I believe he will deliver a good performance,” said Ludeke.
The home team is without its most dangerous attacker in Mark Gerrard, who has a hamstring injury. Wing Alfi Mafi cannot play because of a groin injury.
Stirling Mortlock will play wing and Adam Ashley-Cooper will be at fullback. Both Wallabies are exceptional ball-carriers, but can also use the boot.
“It’s important to have good kickers against the Bulls. Their pattern demands it and I don’t mind playing wing,” Mortlock told AFP.
