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Cape Town - Bulls forwards coach and technical analyser Johann van Graan says they are wary of the "excellent" tactical kicking the Blues can dish up when they meet at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.
The men from Pretoria are themselves renowned for playing a sound aerial game, and the Beeld newspaper reports that the Bulls can expect to receive some of their own medicine on Saturday.
The New Zealanders have kicked more that the Bulls in the first two weeks of Super Rugby and Van Graan says they have taken note.
"Their tactical kicking is excellent and everything doesn't just go straight up. They're also keen to kick along the ground via their outside backs to try and isolate their opponents and put them under pressure. Their kicking patterns are very much like that of the All Blacks.
"Besides, they're also a team that can run you ragged and with Ma'a Nonu and Rene Ranger present we'll have to be on our guard defensively.
"They can destroy you if you're not at you best," said Van Graan.
The Blues lost their first two games against the Crusaders and the Chiefs, while the Bulls defeated the Sharks and the Cheetahs.
But Van Graan is adamant that the Bulls need to improve on their previous two wins if they are to topple the Kiwis.
"We'll definitely have to lift our game if we want to beat them," he said.
Kick-off is at 19:10 on Saturday.
The men from Pretoria are themselves renowned for playing a sound aerial game, and the Beeld newspaper reports that the Bulls can expect to receive some of their own medicine on Saturday.
The New Zealanders have kicked more that the Bulls in the first two weeks of Super Rugby and Van Graan says they have taken note.
"Their tactical kicking is excellent and everything doesn't just go straight up. They're also keen to kick along the ground via their outside backs to try and isolate their opponents and put them under pressure. Their kicking patterns are very much like that of the All Blacks.
"Besides, they're also a team that can run you ragged and with Ma'a Nonu and Rene Ranger present we'll have to be on our guard defensively.
"They can destroy you if you're not at you best," said Van Graan.
The Blues lost their first two games against the Crusaders and the Chiefs, while the Bulls defeated the Sharks and the Cheetahs.
But Van Graan is adamant that the Bulls need to improve on their previous two wins if they are to topple the Kiwis.
"We'll definitely have to lift our game if we want to beat them," he said.
Kick-off is at 19:10 on Saturday.
