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Stellenbosch - Eddie Jones has predicted that the Bulls will beat the Stormers in Saturday’s big north-south Vodacom Super Rugby derby at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
The reason, according to the former Wallaby coach and Springbok consultant, is that the Stormers’ attack is simply not potent enough.
“The Stormers are methodical in the way they play, but their attack is lateral and wide. It lacks penetration. It’s difficult to see them scoring points in Pretoria. I think the Bulls will sneak home,” said Jones.
“The Bulls are looking a little tired when they play. They start off slowly and finish well. They look fit, but have not yet played as well this year as they usually do. I think they will come back strongly.”
The Stormers have scored only one try in their three matches to date this year. However, they have won their last two games against the Cheetahs and Highlanders thanks to good defence and the boot of flyhalf Peter Grant.
“They clearly back their defence to win games, but there are structural problems with their attack,” said Jones.
“The Stormers tend to run laterally and play from very deep. I think with the tackle law as it is, you must have more of a gainline focus than the Stormers currently do.”
Jones was speaking at a coaching clinic that he and former Springbok coach Jake White were conducting for local coaches at the Markötter fields in Stellenbosch on Tuesday.
White did not want to venture a prediction on who would win the big match in Pretoria, believing it was very difficult to predict a winner.
“It will be an interesting game. It’s an unbeaten team (the Stormers) against a side (the Bulls) still feeling the pain of their defeat to the Highlanders. It will be one of those matches we learn a lot from,” said White.
“Some people will even regard the Stormers as favourites. The Bulls have had a week’s rest and will be motivated after their defeat.”
White believes the Bulls’ winning culture will be a factor in their favour.
“The Bulls know how to win and are champions,” he said.
“I actually can’t recall when last the Bulls lost two games in succession. This match really is a difficult one to call.
“The Stormers conceded 75 points at Loftus in 2005. It just shows you how things can change.”
White said he was not surprised that defences have been dominant in Super Rugby this year.
“It’s a World Cup year and referees are applying the laws strictly. Teams are not committing a lot of players to the breakdowns and the result is that there are numbers on defence. It’s now difficult to beat defences,” he said.
Stellenbosch - Eddie Jones has predicted that the Bulls will beat the Stormers in Saturday’s big north-south Vodacom Super Rugby derby at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
The reason, according to the former Wallaby coach and Springbok consultant, is that the Stormers’ attack is simply not potent enough.
“The Stormers are methodical in the way they play, but their attack is lateral and wide. It lacks penetration. It’s difficult to see them scoring points in Pretoria. I think the Bulls will sneak home,” said Jones.
“The Bulls are looking a little tired when they play. They start off slowly and finish well. They look fit, but have not yet played as well this year as they usually do. I think they will come back strongly.”
The Stormers have scored only one try in their three matches to date this year. However, they have won their last two games against the Cheetahs and Highlanders thanks to good defence and the boot of flyhalf Peter Grant.
“They clearly back their defence to win games, but there are structural problems with their attack,” said Jones.
“The Stormers tend to run laterally and play from very deep. I think with the tackle law as it is, you must have more of a gainline focus than the Stormers currently do.”
Jones was speaking at a coaching clinic that he and former Springbok coach Jake White were conducting for local coaches at the Markötter fields in Stellenbosch on Tuesday.
White did not want to venture a prediction on who would win the big match in Pretoria, believing it was very difficult to predict a winner.
“It will be an interesting game. It’s an unbeaten team (the Stormers) against a side (the Bulls) still feeling the pain of their defeat to the Highlanders. It will be one of those matches we learn a lot from,” said White.
“Some people will even regard the Stormers as favourites. The Bulls have had a week’s rest and will be motivated after their defeat.”
White believes the Bulls’ winning culture will be a factor in their favour.
“The Bulls know how to win and are champions,” he said.
“I actually can’t recall when last the Bulls lost two games in succession. This match really is a difficult one to call.
“The Stormers conceded 75 points at Loftus in 2005. It just shows you how things can change.”
White said he was not surprised that defences have been dominant in Super Rugby this year.
“It’s a World Cup year and referees are applying the laws strictly. Teams are not committing a lot of players to the breakdowns and the result is that there are numbers on defence. It’s now difficult to beat defences,” he said.
