Bulls 2015 discussion thread

[TRF_heineken]

Hi guys, I know this is very early, with not even having finished the 2014 campaign, but the recent news events has made my head spin in overdrive.

As some of you know, Vlok Cilliers has just signed up with the Stormers for the Currie Cup and Super Rugby seasons. Meaning he will leave the Bulls after this coming week's match between the Bulls and the Rebels. Now, I am happy for Vlokkie as he has been a WP player all his life, but I'm sad that he's leaving the Bulls as he had a major influence on players like Derick Hougaard, Morne Steyn and Handre Pollard.

But this is just the tip of the discussion point.

I was recently at a rotary function in town where Victor Matfield and Arno Botha was in attendance. And the things that were discussed at that function, made me both excited and nervous.

1. Victor is currently completing his coaching license exam to qualify as a head coach for Super Rugby.
2. Frans Ludeke is thinking of calling it a day sooner rather than later as head coach with his young family now becoming bigger.
3. Vlok Cilliers leaving Pretoria for the Stormers.
4. Adriaan Strauss returning to the Bulls.

It made me wonder, If Victor would take over from Frans when he retires from playing again? And is the signing of Strauss a pre-emptive move to secure a proper captain which has been on of the areas the Bulls have been struggling with.

The Bulls have yet again made a bunch of purchases for baby-boks. Some of them was already contracted with the union though.

Basically, I'm wondering what the next phase will be for the Bulls, and will there finally be some sort of paradigm shift in their playing style with a bunch of new blood coming in at all areas of the union??

What do you guys think?

 

[Bull]

I feel and have felt for a long time the Bulls need to make changes in certain areas and positions. Our style of play isn't helping the quality of players we have but that also goes for the deadwood. Certain players have been signed but were never properly utilised, ie. Dawie Steyn who is a destructive scrummager. Pierrie Spies should not be captain let alone be in the team, we need a more balanced loose trio. Young promising players should be given a chance during the coming CC, especially someone like Jesse Kriel. The coaching staff is rewarding mediocrity in certain positions and players. Reading an article this morning it seems that Adriaan Strauss is definitely coming to Pretoria and to me he has to be considered for the captains position.

By the way the team to face the Rebels has been announced.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Tell you one thing look at when the Bulls were at their best - the HM days, just the type of union that excelled when their coach is loved and admired by all. Just more of a family like situation that at other unions I suppose
Making Mattfield the coach will be the best thing that happened in years to the Bulls.
Also they need to buy right and invest in those bought players = need less players leaving for all the wrong reasons

Future is brighter going forward

 

[TRF_heineken]

Tell you one thing look at when the Bulls were at their best - the HM days, just the type of union that excelled when their coach is loved and admired by all. Just more of a family like situation that at other unions I suppose
Making Mattfield the coach will be the best thing that happened in years to the Bulls.
Also they need to buy right and invest in those bought players = need less players leaving for all the wrong reasons

Future is brighter going forward

This!

To me it feels like we are in the same situation now, as when we were bottom of the log in the Super Rugby for so many years. Everything is too much of a similarity at this stage, even though we keep on getting very good youngsters in the squad. The stampkar rugby doesn't work anymore, and also, our forwards that we had this year was very mediocre. And the only new guy of the crop that got a bok call-up in the forwards, was used as a substitute for the whole season!

Change is scary, but it usually brings in good things more than bad things... let's see

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'll weigh in if you guys don't mind the opinion of a Province boy?

1 Dawie Steyn - still on your books? - basically anyone other than Greyling
2 Adriaan Strauss (c) - great signing; suits the Bulls and a veteran with captaincy experience
3 Marcel van der Merwe - an extra 'fetcher' the Bulls are missing ATM
4 Flip van der Merwe - good thing Willemse is going; he has HUGE potential but needs a close game and the Bulls allow too much width for his huge frame
5 Jacques du Plessis - too big for the back row
6 ? get a guy who can have good effect at the breakdown even if he weighs under 100kgs
7 Arno Botha - you really missed this guy; another leader in the pack (FvdM is an able lock but not captaincy material)
8 Warren Whiteley* - get him in; if you can get Strauss...; he'll suit your game and the Bulls need at least 1 forward with game rather than pure muscle and adds 'leadership'
9 Francois Hougaard - but allow him to play rugby
10 Handre Pollard - it's time
11 Blommetjies
12 Jan Serfontein - young but will only get better with time
13 ? someone other than Engelbrecht - JJ is a wing and though he has the build to thrive in the mid field he doesn't have the mind set, positioning or skills.
RJvR, WSS and Swanepoel (my pick) aren't so much younger than Engelbrecht in any case; give them a go and see who can play the best off of Serfontein
14 JJ Engelbrecht - play the winger on the wing; time to thank Ndngane good-bye
15 Jesse Kriel - a good prospect and a more exciting player than Visser as is. This guy wants to play positive rugby though.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'll weigh in if you guys don't mind the opinion of a Province boy?

1 Dawie Steyn - still on your books? - basically anyone other than Greyling
2 Adriaan Strauss (c) - great signing; suits the Bulls and a veteran with captaincy experience
3 Marcel van der Merwe - an extra 'fetcher' the Bulls are missing ATM
4 Flip van der Merwe - good thing Willemse is going; he has HUGE potential but needs a close game and the Bulls allow too much width for his huge frame
5 Jacques du Plessis - too big for the back row
6 ? get a guy who can have good effect at the breakdown even if he weighs under 100kgs
7 Arno Botha - you really missed this guy; another leader in the pack (FvdM is an able lock but not captaincy material)
8 Warren Whiteley* - get him in; if you can get Strauss...; he'll suit your game and the Bulls need at least 1 forward with game rather than pure muscle and adds 'leadership'
9 Francois Hougaard - but allow him to play rugby
10 Handre Pollard - it's time
11 Blommetjies
12 Jan Serfontein - young but will only get better with time
13 ? someone other than Engelbrecht - JJ is a wing and though he has the build to thrive in the mid field he doesn't have the mind set, positioning or skills.
RJvR, WSS and Swanepoel (my pick) aren't so much younger than Engelbrecht in any case; give them a go and see who can play the best off of Serfontein
14 JJ Engelbrecht - play the winger on the wing; time to thank Ndngane good-bye
15 Jesse Kriel - a good prospect and a more exciting player than Visser as is. This guy wants to play positive rugby though.

Well, the Bulls have also now secured the signature of Lappies Labuschagne...

 

[Draggs]

So Bulls have replaced us as Cheetahs B?

 

[TRF_heineken]

So Bulls have replaced us as Cheetahs B?

Really? 2 guys, 2 quality guys and you go and say this... Uncool man, uncool...

 

[Bull]

1 Dawie Steyn, I don't know if he's still with the union be the Bulls messed him around.
5 Jacques Dup, I would also rather play him at lock
13 William Small-Smith I reckon should be give a fair chance.

With Lappies signing at the Bulls it would mean to me that there are definite changes coming in the loose trio, some guys contracts might not be extended. I really hope Arno Botha is ready for next year.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Take some team and read this on the last 4 years of the Bulls going backwards

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/140709/Weve_herd_it_all_before_Bulls

 

[TRF_heineken]

Take some team and read this on the last 4 years of the Bulls going backwards

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/140709/Weve_herd_it_all_before_Bulls

I agree wholeheartedly with that article. Frans Ludeke is not the same caliber coach as HM was. He should rather just coach Currie Cup.

That part about Jacques Potgieter is one of my frustrations. The Bulls even made him an offer recently to return, then the Waratahs went and doubled that with a counter offer for another year's of service. And this all after the Bulls said "he didn't fit in to the Bulls setup".

Now here's the thing, it's already evident that there is a big change at the Bulls, but we don't know yet the full extent of this change, and what the final result would be. One thing is for certain, Ludeke is slowly digging his own grave, and for me it's just a matter of time before we have a new head coach.

 

[Bull]

I wonder if Jimmy Stonehouse is in the mix?

Also Clayton Blommetjies has signed with the Cheetahs. It really frustrates me how certain mediocre players have been rewarded over the years.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Almost start liking Allistair Coetzee again.. wait .. wait.. NO

 

[TRF_heineken]

I wonder if Jimmy Stonehouse is in the mix?

Also Clayton Blommetjies has signed with the Cheetahs. It really frustrates me how certain mediocre players have been rewarded over the years.

Jimmy wouldn't be a bad choice at all! Just as long as it's not Pine Pienaar!

 

[Bull]

Luckily I think we're safe in that area as Pine isn't even the CC coach anymore. What I like about Jimmy is he has done wonders with a bunch of unknown players and has done it consistently.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Luckily I think we're safe in that area as Pine isn't even the CC coach anymore. What I like about Jimmy is he has done wonders with a bunch of unknown players and has done it consistently.

yeah, and he brings some form of "Kameraadskap" between everyone involved.

But on that front we can just guess.

 

[Bull]

Excellent article, not only focused on the Bulls though
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3821_9376657,00.html