[2015 Super Rugby] Chiefs vs. Bulls (Round 15) 22/05/2015

[TRF_heineken]

Rotorua International Stadium

09:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Referee - Chris Pollock

AR1 - Glen Jackson

AR2 - Aki Aso

TMO - Glenn Newman​

Teams

Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam (captain), 5 Johan Bardoul, 4 Michael Fitzgerald/Ross Filipo, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Mitchell Graham

Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Pauliasi Manu, 19 Brian Alainu'uese, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Tim Nanai-Williams

Bulls: 15 Jesse Kriel, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Rudy Paige, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Jacques du Plessis, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van de Merwe, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Trevor Nyakane

Substitutes: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 Werner Kruger, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Burger Odendaal, 22 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 23 Travis Ismaiel

 

[TRF_heineken]

No SBW??

Tim Nanai-Williams on the bench??

The Bulls will be smiling about those 2 dangerous players not starting...

 

[MotherRucker1]

It'll be an interesting one, both teams will be highly ****** off after last week. Despite the loss, some of those Chiefs guys did very well last week; when Hosea Gear actually got the ball he was playing like the Gear of old - his personal challenge is the same as always though, getting more involved. Elliot was into everything and really put his hand up as the third choice hooker in this country. The Chiefs loose forwards are extremely good. And McKenzie is a real battler. We haven't talked about Pulu much this year, but he can be just as effective as Webber (considering he's had much less game time, but made more carries, offloads, and meters.) The share speed of Webber off the bench will be interesting if we get to see that.

The Chiefs will need to front up physically and be strong at the set pieces - something they've struggled with at times this season, particularly at the scrum. The Bulls might even try and wind Tameifuna up, something other teams have done. Lineouts might also be a challenge - weird to think Ross Filipo could be starting. Even without Nanai-Williams, SBW and Retallick I'll back the Chiefs at home.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Good start by the Bulls. I hope they keep it up!

 

[MotherRucker1]

Bulls showing what a tough side they can be but the Chiefs need to stop kicking so much.

Edit: TRY!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Pretty good game to watch so far!

 

[MotherRucker1]

Have been calls by some in NZ that go so far to say Webber should be second choice halfback. I don't agree with that for other reasons, because I think Perenara has returned to form. But on the back of Pulu's performance tonight, and given that he's already been in that environment - surely the halfbacks in order would be Smith, Perenara and Pulu?

 

[austingtir]

Never thought much at all about Pulu before this game. One good game is far from a complete halfback. Pulu and Webber would probably be the last two Id pick as third choice.

Pulu is certainly showing in this game he has skills though. Just like Sopoaga he'll need another year or two to come right imo.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Have been calls by some in NZ that go so far to say Webber should be second choice halfback. I don't agree with that for other reasons, because I think Perenara has returned to form. But on the back of Pulu's performance tonight, and given that he's already been in that environment - surely the halfbacks in order would be Smith, Perenara and Pulu?

Pulu is having a great game, but Weber has been having a great season.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Cause he's had more game time to have that opportunity? (correct me if I'm wrong as haven't been keeping track)

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Cause he's had more game time to have that opportunity? (correct me if I'm wrong as haven't been keeping track)

Weber has had more game time BECAUSE he's been playing better. Which has obviously given him more opportunities, but that's just rewards.

 

[austingtir]

The fact is this game has suited Pulu with his running game. Soon as he's put in a defensive position or kicking he's just not that great.

AB's need a SOLID defensive halfback for the third choice imo.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Pulu has made more carries, meters and offloads with far less time. Defenders beaten is 11 a piece. Pulu's made less tackles as you'd expect, but been more accurate. And that set of stats was taken before this match. Not sure what area Webber is better - pace?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Pulu has made more carries, meters and offloads with far less time. Defenders beaten is 11 a piece. Pulu's made less tackles as you'd expect, but been more accurate. And that set of stats was taken before this match. Not sure what area Webber is better - pace?

Passed the ball better, looked a lot less skittish and made far better decisions. This game excluded obviously.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Lucky for me I like both of em so I'm not complaining!

 

[smartcooky]

Ross Filipo turning back the clock! What a warrior!

 

[Kiwi_]

Bad tour for the Bulls, isn't going to get any better in cold Invercargill when they come to play us!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Bad tour for the Bulls, isn't going to get any better in cold Invercargill when they come to play us!

Wut??

The Bulls are done with NZ teams. They now face the Brumbies and the Rebels on tour. Then they head back home to face the Cheetahs.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Wut??

The Bulls are done with NZ teams. They now face the Brumbies and the Rebels on tour. Then they head back home to face the Cheetahs.

Yep it's the Chiefs who are heading down to Invercargil next week!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Yep it's the Chiefs who are heading down to Invercargil next week!

This new guy isn't making any sense!