Ludeke backs Stegmann

Stegmann, whose borderline style of play has cost his Bulls side 22 points in the last three games, is in danger of getting a reputation as a serial offender, something the Bulls are keen to ignore.

But while referee Craig Joubert has been particularly harsh with Stegmann during the two tour games under his control, Ludeke believes there is no cause to sound the alarm.

Stegmann was the only player also mentioned in a statistics article on the SA Referees website regarding week 10 of the Super 14, with particular mention being made of the points he cost his side due to his indiscretions. Strangely enough, the Cape written article failed to mention any other player in the 14 sides involved.

“Steggies is one of the top openside flankers in the competition,” Ludeke said, “We went to look at the incidents and spoke to the referees after the game, and he was unlucky in certain circumstances. There were grey areas and he could just as well been on the other side of the decision.

“The challenge is to ensure that he, and the rest of our players, are accurate when they are in the defensive line. He is a player who can make a gamebreaking turnover when it is needed and we will support him.”

Ludeke said it was unfortunate that the referees’ website mentioned only Stegmann.

“Statistics can tell you any story you want it to tell you, but what I feel is much more important are the reviews we have after the game with the referees and our video analysis. We’re not worried that he can be targeted or that it can become an issue. There isn’t indiscipline on his behalf at the breakdown.”

Stegmann will now tread the borderline that most top opensiders in world rugby have had to encounter at some time in their careers. But as captain Victor Matfield likes to say on a weekly basis, forget the refs, concentrate on how you can adapt to the way they blow the whistle.