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As it happened: Waratahs v Bulls

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Commentary by Sport24's Herman Mostert

Follow on @herman_mostert
or send suggestions to: herman.mostert@sa.24.com


13:34 - PICTURE

Adam Ashley-Cooper runs into Jan Serfontein and JJ Engelbrecht (Getty Images)


13:27 - KEY STATS

Metres run: Waratahs 473-383 Bulls
Carries: Waratahs 94-92 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Waratahs 12-15 Bulls
Clean breaks: Waratahs 4-3 Bulls
Tackles made: Waratahs 90-86 Bulls
Missed tackles: Waratahs 15-12 Bulls
Turnovers won: Waratahs 16-3 Bulls
Kicks in play: Waratahs 30-32 Bulls
Rucks won: Waratahs 66-66 Bulls
Rucks lost: Waratahs 3-9 Bulls
Lineouts won: Waratahs 8-8 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Waratahs 2-1 Bulls
Scrums won: Waratahs 4-11 Bulls
Scrums lost: Waratahs 1-0 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Waratahs 9-12 Bulls

The key stat here is turnovers won. The Bulls need a proper fetcher!


13:26 - TWEET

Even if one of their hookers is tried there, Bulls simply have to make better open side plan. Wake up!! - Rob Houwing


13:23 - A well-deserved win for the hosts, who dominated in most areas. The Bulls were in with a sniff midway through the second half, but will rue some ill discipline at key moments!

In next week's action, the Waratahs travel to Auckland to face the Blues, while the Bulls finish off their Australasian tour against the Force in Perth.  


13:21 - FULL-TIME: Waratahs 19-12 Bulls.

The 'Tahs have beaten the Bulls for the first time since 2005!


13:20 - Penalty to the 'Tahs.

Michael Hooper - who has been brilliant on the ground - wins a penalty for the hosts, who kick it out to end the game...


13:19 - The Bulls are hunting the draw! They attack inside the 'Tahs 22m area as the siren sounds...


13:19 - Lock Paul Willemse has replaced Bulls captain Flip van der Merwe.

Matfield takes over as skipper...


13:17 - PENALTY converted by Pollard.

Waratahs 19-12 Bulls after 78 minutes.

The Bulls can still sneak a draw here...


13:16 - The 'Tahs are penalised for not rolling away quick enough at ruck time. It gives Pollard the chance to go for goal, about 25m out, just the left of the uprights...


13:15 - 15 AGAINST 15

Grant Hattingh is back from his time in the sin-bin - four minutes left.


13:14 - Handré Pollard has replaced Jacques-Louis Potgieter at flyhalf for the Bulls.


13:12 - Just as I'm being negative, the Bulls win a penalty and Potgieter kicks a monster kick down-field to set up an attacking lineout inside the 'Tahs 22m area.

The Bulls win the lineout, drive well, but then lose control...

Time to be negative again I guess...


13:09 - However, that's about the only positive for the Bulls in the last 15 minutes. Since Hattingh lost that ball at the back of the scrum while the Bulls were hot on the attack, the game has swung back in favour of the Aussies...

9 minutes remaining... and the 'Tahs look like they'll be breaking a 9-year winning drought against the Bulls...


13:07 - WOW, massive collision as former team-mates clash. Flip van der Merwe absolutely smashes Jacques Potgieter in midfield.

Potgieter is immediately replaced... Maybe a bit groggy?


13:06 - PICTURE

Waratahs flyhalf Bernard Foley on the attack... (Getty Images)


13:05 - Bongi Mbonambi has replaced Callie Visagie at hooker for the Bulls.


13:04 - PENALTY converted by Foley.

Waratahs 19-9 Bulls after 65 minutes.


13:03 - YELLOW CARD

Grant Hattingh gets 10 minutes in the sin-bin for a ridiculous high tackle on Michael Hooper. The penalty is also within striking range...

Discipline costing the Bulls now as the Waratahs seem to have wrestled back momentum...


13:01 - Ross is punished for his indiscretion and replaced by Jacques Engelbrecht.


13:00 - PENALTY converted by Foley.

Waratahs 16-9 Bulls after 62 minutes.


12:59 - Jono Ross not using his own body weight at a ruck and is duly penalised. Foley to line up an easy kick...

Silly there from Ross!


12:58 - 'Tahs flank Jacques Potgieter, unusually, kicks it up-field into the Bulls 22m area. Bulls fullback Beyers is so surprised by the kick that he responds by knocking it on. Ridiculous error!


12:56 - TWEET

What a contrasting game, Tahs could have wrapped it up in the 1st Half, but hey Bulls still in this, Tahs could start panicking, Bulls must pouch! - Breyton Paulse


12:55 - Marcel van der Merwe has replaced Werner Kruger at prop for the Bulls.


12:53 - Foley again misses, this time to the left...


12:52 - After surging up-field, the Waraths win a penalty in range. Foley to line it up from about 30m out, 14m in-field...


12:51 - Ah, this could be a big moment in the game. Bulls No 8 Grant Hattingh fails to control the ball at the back of the scrum. The 'Tahs win it and counter...


12:49 - An enterprising attacking move by the Bulls, with JJ Engelbrecht on the fore-front, sees them almost score, but they have a five-metre attacking scrum...


12:47 - FAILED drop-goal attempt by Bulls No 10 Potgieter. Wasted attacking opportunity!


12:46 - All the momentum with the Bulls now, as they win a scrum just on the Waratahs 22m line...


12:44 - TWEET

I'm starting to believe the Waratahs are in the process of self-imploding. So much ball, but not getting the reward - Brenden Nel


12:43 - PENALTY converted by Potgieter.

Waratahs 13-9 Bulls.


12:43 - BIG BLOW FOR WARATAHS

Centre Kurtley Beale has limped off with a calf injury...


Matt Carraro has replaced Beale, with Rob Horne moving from wing to No 12.


12:41 - Helter-skelter stuff now as the 'Tahs break from inside their own 22 right into Bulls territory. However, the Bulls counter and surge back into 'Tahs territory. 

They win a very kickable penalty...


12:39 - Just as a write, the hosts respond by poaching the Bulls' lineout...


12:38 - A first lineout steal by the Bulls gives them the chance to get back inside the Bulls' half...


12:37 - Inside the first minute, and already a penalty conceded on the ground by the Bulls...


12:36 - Welcome back for the second half, as Jacques-Louis Potgieter restarts for the Bulls...


12:34 - PICTURE

Waratahs flank Jacques Potgieter on the charge against his former team... (Getty Images)


12:26 - FIRST HALF STATS

Metres run: Waratahs 189-132 Bulls
Carries: Waratahs 44-28 Bulls
Defenders beaten: Waratahs 8-4 Bulls
Clean breaks: Waratahs 2-1 Bulls
Tackles made: Waratahs 28-46 Bulls
Missed tackles: Waratahs 4-8 Bulls
Turnovers won: Waratahs 6-0 Bulls
Kicks in play: Waratahs 13-12 Bulls
Rucks won: Waratahs 34-18 Bulls
Rucks lost: Waratahs 0-4 Bulls
Lineouts won: Waratahs 5-5 Bulls
Lineouts lost: Waratahs 0-0 Bulls
Scrums won: Waratahs 3-5 Bulls
Scrums lost: Waratahs 1-0 Bulls
Penalties conceded: Waratahs 4-7 Bulls


12:24 - HALF-TIME: Waratahs 13-6 Bulls.

The Waratahs will wonder how they're only seven points ahead!


12:24 - PENALTY converted by Potgieter.


12:23 - It's a messy lineout, but the Bulls keep it and win another penalty in range.

Another shot for Potgieter, 15m in from touch.


12:22 - On the stroke of half-time and the Bulls set up an attacking lineout on the Waratahs 22m line...


12:21 - PENALTY converted by Jacques-Louis Potgieter. Solid strike from the Bulls pivot!

Waratahs 13-3 Bulls after 38 minutes.


12:20 - A powerful Bulls scrum is rewarded as they win a penalty close to the touchline. 

No other option but to go for posts, they've had nothing promising in this first half, the Bulls...


12:17 - The Waratahs keep on probing inside Bulls territory but another forward pass halts their charge. They've had no less than FOUR forward passes on attack now. The score could easily have been higher...


12:16 - Poor kick from Foley, who pulls it to the right of the uprights...


12:15 - Another kickable penalty for the 'Tahs as two Bulls - Flip van der Merwe and Dean Greyling - go off their feet at ruck time.

Foley lines up, almost in front, 38m back...


12:12 - BLOW FOR BULLS!

Injury blow for the Bulls as No 9 Piet van Zyl leaves the field with a knee injury.

Rudy Paige comes on to replace him.

Why is Page even on the bench? Francois Hougaard is on the wing and can easily move to scrumhalf...!


12:10 - PICTURE: Prince William in the house

Royalty at Allianz Stadium. And also the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to watch Izzy Folau strut his stuff. #WARvBUL - Fox Sports Rugby


12:08 - PENALTIES CONCEDED

Waratahs 1
Bulls 6


12:05 - The Bulls - AGAIN - look to hit right back but some great work on the ground sees the 'Tahs win another penalty to bring relief...

Some good counter-rucking from lock Will Skelton!

But the Bulls can also feel aggrieved there. There were three Waratahs players lying on the Bulls' side of the ruck...


12:04 - PENALTY converted by Foley.

Waratahs 13-0 Bulls after 22 minutes.


12:02 - Another kickable penalty for the hosts as Bulls fullback Ulrich Beyers is penalised for not supporting his own body weight at a ruck.

Foley to line up, about 20m in from touch...


12:00 - The Bulls look to hit back but a knock-on halts their charge just outside the Waratahs 22m area. If the Bulls again knock as many as last week against the Highlanders, they might as well go home right now...


11:59 - PENALTY converted by Foley.

Waratahs 10-0 Bulls after 18 minutes.


11:58 - After a concerted period of attack, prop Sekope Kepu scores for the hosts, but there was obstruction, so NO TRY!

The referee, however, goes back for a penalty against the Bulls right in front of the posts...


11:55 - TWEET

10 minutes of rugby - 17 ball carries by Waratahs, 1 by Bulls. Tackles: Bulls 14, missed 4. Waratahs tackles 0. #SSRugby - Brenden Nel


11:53 - The first bit of enterprising play from the Bulls is halted when Michael Hooper steals it on the ground.

The 'Tahs counter and almost score when Beale kicks in behind the Bulls, but Francois Hougaard comes to the rescue when he dots down dead...


11:51 - PICTURE

Israel Folau scored the quickest try of the year so far...
Fox Sports Rugby


11:50 - A good effort from Beale, but it lands just short - by about eight metres.


11:48 - It's all Waratahs early in this game here as they win a penalty just inside Bulls territory. Beale to line up a penalty attempt from the touchline... Tough kick!


11:47 - DID YOU KNOW?

Folau's try was the 10th fastest try after kick-off in Super Rugby history. The fastest belongs to Vula Maimuri, who scored one in 12 seconds.


11:45 - Reprieve for the Bulls who win a penalty at the first scrum...


11:44 - Some more enterprise on attack from the hosts, but a knock-on by Beale just outside the Bulls 22m area halts another promising move...


11:42 - CONVERSION by Foley.

Waratahs 7-0 Bulls after 1 minute.


11:41 - TRY! Israel Folau scores under the posts after 28 seconds!

First backline move, some great stepping and swerving from Issie...


11:41 - 'Tahs immediately on attack as the Bulls can't handle the kick-off... 


11:40 - Bernard Foley starts proceedings...


11:39 - The Bulls have won their last eight on the trot against the 'Tahs. The men from Sydney's last win was in the 2005 semi-finals!


11:38 - TWEET

Proper clash of styles: The Waratahs have produced fewer kicks from hand than any other team so far, while the Bulls have produced the most - JW Coetzee


11:38 - The Bulls are again in their ugly, camouflage khaki kit for this game...


11:35 - CONDITIONS

Fine conditions. 20 Degrees Celsius with not much wind to speak of...


11:31 - WARATAHS TEAM NEWS

Wycliff Palu has dropped off the bench.

Stephen Hoiles will take his place in jumper No 20.


11:24 - LATE CHANGE TO BULLS LINE-UP

Utility back Ulrich Beyers will start at fullback for the Bulls after Jurgen Visser was ruled out due to a foot injury.

Beyers, who came off the bench in both tour matches in New Zealand, played at centre on those occasions, but now get a first start of the season following the failed fitness test by Visser.


11:30 - SPORT24 'EXPERT' PICKS

Sport24's self-proclaimed experts - Editor Garrin Lambley and Chief Writer Rob Houwing - give you their thoughts on today's match.

Click HERE to listen to their thoughts...


ARE YOU AT THE GAME?

If so, then send us your pictures and we'll hit the publish button!

Send to: MySport@sport24.co.za


OFFICIALS

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Ed Martin (Australia)
TMO: Peter Marshall (Australia)


RECENT RESULTS

2013: Bulls won 30-19, Pretoria
2012: Bulls won 27-24, Sydney
2011: Bulls won 23-17, Pretoria
2010: Bulls 48-38, Pretoria
2009: Bulls won 20-6, Sydney
2008: Bulls 16-13, Pretoria


TEAMS

Waratahs

15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Crawford, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Dave Dennis (captain), 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson

Substitutes: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Pat McCutcheon, 20 Stephen Hoiles, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Matt Carraro

Bulls

15 Ulrich Beyers, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Grant Hattingh, 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Jono Ross, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe (captain), 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Marcel van der Merwe, 18 Morné Mellett, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Jacques Engelbrecht, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 William Small-Smith


Welcome to Sport24's LIVE scoring and interactive commentary on today's Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and Bulls in Sydney!



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