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Cape Town - Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has identified three areas of concern as they prepare for their Super Rugby opener against the Sharks in Durban on February 15.
The Bulls lost a pre-season match in Polokwane 26-19 to the Stormers last weekend and according to Ludeke they must improve their scrums, tactical kicking and work rate before the season-proper starts.
"Our scrums aren't where it should be. We conceded a few penalties (against the Stormers) and we're looking at a technical adjustment or two," Ludeke told the Beeld website.
The Sharks showed in last year's Currie Cup final when they tactically outfoxed Western Province how important that facet of play is. Their new coach, Jake White, was also at the helm of the Brumbies when they employed a smart tactical game to beat the Bulls in last year's Super Rugby semi-final at Loftus Versfeld.
Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf) and Louis Fouché (flyhalf) would therefore need to be at the top of their games if the Bulls are to start the season well.
The other challenge, according to Ludeke, is to maintain a high work rate all the time.
"The match against the Stormers was a good starting point, but we'll have to put up a better effort (against the Sharks). We can't afford to slack off at times with our work rate."
The Bulls lost a pre-season match in Polokwane 26-19 to the Stormers last weekend and according to Ludeke they must improve their scrums, tactical kicking and work rate before the season-proper starts.
"Our scrums aren't where it should be. We conceded a few penalties (against the Stormers) and we're looking at a technical adjustment or two," Ludeke told the Beeld website.
The Sharks showed in last year's Currie Cup final when they tactically outfoxed Western Province how important that facet of play is. Their new coach, Jake White, was also at the helm of the Brumbies when they employed a smart tactical game to beat the Bulls in last year's Super Rugby semi-final at Loftus Versfeld.
Francois Hougaard (scrumhalf) and Louis Fouché (flyhalf) would therefore need to be at the top of their games if the Bulls are to start the season well.
The other challenge, according to Ludeke, is to maintain a high work rate all the time.
"The match against the Stormers was a good starting point, but we'll have to put up a better effort (against the Sharks). We can't afford to slack off at times with our work rate."
