cyRil
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BULLS 23-17 WARATAHS
Hosts withstand late New South Wales surge
written by cyRil
The Bulls kept their SupeRugby play-off dream alive with a hard-fought 23-17 victory over an ebullient Waratahs team in Pretoria on Friday night, in a gutsy game that saw ‘Tahs replacement Pat O’Connor sent off for an adjudged head-butt.
The win means that Victor Matfield and co. keep their late-season good form up and leap-frog their Australian counterparts into 5th with just two rounds of the regular season remaining. The loss for the ‘Tahs also means their bitter rivals the Reds are the first team to qualify for the SupeRugby play-offs as, sitting on 58 points, they now cannot be caught by any team within the Australian conference.
Hougaard was a nuisance throughout the tight tussle
It was the ‘Tahs that got off to the brighter start when, after several good phases of play, Bulls Number 8 Pierre Spies decided to disrupt play, giving referee Craig Joubert little option but to blow up in favour of the away side. Kurtley Beale had no problem from the kicking tee â€" 3-0 Waratahs with 4 minutes gone.
The visitors kept up the tempo following the re-start, applying pressure on the Bulls in attack, and could have been further rewarded on the scoreboard on the 10 minute mark, but Berrick Barnes’ attempted drop-goal fell tamely short.
The Bulls were level shortly after with their first foray into opposition territory garnering an initial free kick, which was turned into a straight arm penalty for dissent after full-back Beale petulantly kicked the ball away; no problems for stand-off Morne Steyn â€" 3-3 with 15 minutes played.
It got worse for the ‘Tahs immediately after when Wallaby loose-head prop Benn Robinson had to leave the field injured after turning on his ankle whilst completing a tackle, with relative rookie Paddy Ryan taking his place.
Moments later the game sprang into life, with Beale showing everyone watching â€" and on the pitch â€" what he can do with a mesmeric run that beat defender after defender before being felled illegally by prop Dean Greylings and winning a kickable penalty on the Bulls’ 10m line, which he duly slotted; 6-3 to the Waratahs with half time approaching.
The scores were level once more shortly after and the loss of an experienced prop was being sorely felt, as Ryan got tuned at scrum-time, conceding a penalty and giving Steyn an easy shot at 3 points to equalise.
The Bulls were presented with a chance to extend their lead as time ticked down in the half when Dean Mumm was pinged for a high tackle, but Springbok Steyn’s connection with the ball was poor and the long-range effort was pushed timidly to the right of the sticks.
Olivier's try was the highlight of a solid performance for the centre
But there was still time to forge an advantage before the break, as from good line-out ball the exciting but raw Gerhard van den Heever surged over the gain line, evaded a tackle and played the ball inside to centre Wynand Olivier who had supported well and charged in to score the game’s first try. Steyn had no problem in converting as the siren sounded for half-time; Bulls leading 13-6.
Their advantage was extended minutes into the second period following a brilliant break away in the Bulls 22. With Olivier heavily involved again, the 28-test Bok broke the line before releasing Jaco Pretorius outside him â€" the centre dashing down-field before completely flat-footing a bamboozled Barnes and giving winger Bjorn Basson an easy run to the line.
The conversion was executed with aplomb and the Bulls were beginning to look comfortable as they continued to turn pressure into points; 20-6 to the hosts.
The Waratahs had been rather shell-shocked with two quick scores either side of half-time, and their game plan was being further spoiled by the number of injuries they were racking up as the match progressed; with replacement prop Ryan the latest to hobble off â€" leaving uncontested scrums with no specialised scrummager to take his place.
Basson surges away for yet another try in this season's competition
Pressure was relieved soon after, as Deon Stegmann was pinged for going from the side at a ruck, providing Beale with a third shot of the night at goal which he converted to bring the score to 20-9 with half an hour to play.
Their ever-depleting ranks was not enough to discourage the visiting side who were showing great spirit on the paddock â€" defending stoutly and always trying to make things happen with the ball in their hands. From a penalty the ‘Tahs tapped and went quickly, scything through the Bulls ragged defence, before fly-half Daniel Halangahu showed great determination and strength to take the ball up and crash over the try line.
However, after TMO consultation it was decided that Bulls full-back Zane Kirchner had done just enough to thold the ball up and keep the Aussie pivot out.
The away side did not have to wait long for another chance at 5 points, as from the resultant 5m scrum the ball was moved swiftly and effectively along the back line, with Afa Pakalani applying the simple finish in the corner. the conversion from Beale was nowhere, near but the ‘Tahs were visibly buoyed by the score, and were now trailing by a mere 6 points â€" 20-14 Bulls after 61 minutes.
Beale was in the thick of the action once again after the re-start and set out on a majestic run, again flying past tacklers with consummate ease before dabbing a delicious kick ahead to put the home team under immense pressure on their own line.
When the ‘Tahs were awarded another penalty and 3 points moments later for Rossouw de Klerk’s lazy attempt at leaving a ruck, it seemed that the impetus was with the visitors to go on and claim a victory that had seemed highly unlikely only minutes before.
But just when they had got themselves right back into the fixture, the chance of glory was snatched away from them with the turning point in the game.
With the match seemingly going to the wire and the Waratahs pressing, referee Joubert stopped the game after noticing a flag out from line-man Pro Legoete; and after a brief and unconvincing discussion with his assistant dismissed ‘Tahs replacement lock Pat O’Connor for what was perceived as a deliberate head-butt.
The second-row was aghast and many were left sympathising with the big man as he trudged disconsolately from the field and the big screens projected a replay that simply showed a man clearing out at a ruck.
The decision was final however, and aggrieved Waratahs players were left to pick up the pieces as they watched Morne Steyn land his third penalty kick of the night to push the score out again; Bulls 23-17 with 10 minutes left.
The closing stages were patiently controlled by the hosts as they looked to see the game out without incident, and although the livewire Beale was ever a thorn in the Bulls defence, he pulled up short of the miracle needed to single-handedly breach the opposition line.
The Bulls defence was aggressive as the clock ticked down to zero, and good work at the break-down and line-out won possession back which half-back Francois Hougaard thumped into the stands as the hooter sounded.
A hard-fought win for the hosts who continue to march on and find form at just the right time of the season; but the Waratahs deservedly took away a losing bonus point which, but for the contentious sending off, could have been so much more.
Star Man: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) - 24 runs, 157 metres gained, no missed tackles. The Wallaby full-back was in inspired form and didn’t deserve to end on the losing side.
5-metre flop: Pro Legoete â€" A very dubious call to advise a red card which ultimately decided the game, O’Connor’s subsequent clearing of foul play highlights what a poor decision it really was.
Hosts withstand late New South Wales surge
written by cyRil
The Bulls kept their SupeRugby play-off dream alive with a hard-fought 23-17 victory over an ebullient Waratahs team in Pretoria on Friday night, in a gutsy game that saw ‘Tahs replacement Pat O’Connor sent off for an adjudged head-butt.
The win means that Victor Matfield and co. keep their late-season good form up and leap-frog their Australian counterparts into 5th with just two rounds of the regular season remaining. The loss for the ‘Tahs also means their bitter rivals the Reds are the first team to qualify for the SupeRugby play-offs as, sitting on 58 points, they now cannot be caught by any team within the Australian conference.
Hougaard was a nuisance throughout the tight tussle
It was the ‘Tahs that got off to the brighter start when, after several good phases of play, Bulls Number 8 Pierre Spies decided to disrupt play, giving referee Craig Joubert little option but to blow up in favour of the away side. Kurtley Beale had no problem from the kicking tee â€" 3-0 Waratahs with 4 minutes gone.
The visitors kept up the tempo following the re-start, applying pressure on the Bulls in attack, and could have been further rewarded on the scoreboard on the 10 minute mark, but Berrick Barnes’ attempted drop-goal fell tamely short.
The Bulls were level shortly after with their first foray into opposition territory garnering an initial free kick, which was turned into a straight arm penalty for dissent after full-back Beale petulantly kicked the ball away; no problems for stand-off Morne Steyn â€" 3-3 with 15 minutes played.
It got worse for the ‘Tahs immediately after when Wallaby loose-head prop Benn Robinson had to leave the field injured after turning on his ankle whilst completing a tackle, with relative rookie Paddy Ryan taking his place.
Moments later the game sprang into life, with Beale showing everyone watching â€" and on the pitch â€" what he can do with a mesmeric run that beat defender after defender before being felled illegally by prop Dean Greylings and winning a kickable penalty on the Bulls’ 10m line, which he duly slotted; 6-3 to the Waratahs with half time approaching.
The scores were level once more shortly after and the loss of an experienced prop was being sorely felt, as Ryan got tuned at scrum-time, conceding a penalty and giving Steyn an easy shot at 3 points to equalise.
The Bulls were presented with a chance to extend their lead as time ticked down in the half when Dean Mumm was pinged for a high tackle, but Springbok Steyn’s connection with the ball was poor and the long-range effort was pushed timidly to the right of the sticks.
Olivier's try was the highlight of a solid performance for the centre
But there was still time to forge an advantage before the break, as from good line-out ball the exciting but raw Gerhard van den Heever surged over the gain line, evaded a tackle and played the ball inside to centre Wynand Olivier who had supported well and charged in to score the game’s first try. Steyn had no problem in converting as the siren sounded for half-time; Bulls leading 13-6.
Their advantage was extended minutes into the second period following a brilliant break away in the Bulls 22. With Olivier heavily involved again, the 28-test Bok broke the line before releasing Jaco Pretorius outside him â€" the centre dashing down-field before completely flat-footing a bamboozled Barnes and giving winger Bjorn Basson an easy run to the line.
The conversion was executed with aplomb and the Bulls were beginning to look comfortable as they continued to turn pressure into points; 20-6 to the hosts.
The Waratahs had been rather shell-shocked with two quick scores either side of half-time, and their game plan was being further spoiled by the number of injuries they were racking up as the match progressed; with replacement prop Ryan the latest to hobble off â€" leaving uncontested scrums with no specialised scrummager to take his place.
Basson surges away for yet another try in this season's competition
Pressure was relieved soon after, as Deon Stegmann was pinged for going from the side at a ruck, providing Beale with a third shot of the night at goal which he converted to bring the score to 20-9 with half an hour to play.
Their ever-depleting ranks was not enough to discourage the visiting side who were showing great spirit on the paddock â€" defending stoutly and always trying to make things happen with the ball in their hands. From a penalty the ‘Tahs tapped and went quickly, scything through the Bulls ragged defence, before fly-half Daniel Halangahu showed great determination and strength to take the ball up and crash over the try line.
However, after TMO consultation it was decided that Bulls full-back Zane Kirchner had done just enough to thold the ball up and keep the Aussie pivot out.
The away side did not have to wait long for another chance at 5 points, as from the resultant 5m scrum the ball was moved swiftly and effectively along the back line, with Afa Pakalani applying the simple finish in the corner. the conversion from Beale was nowhere, near but the ‘Tahs were visibly buoyed by the score, and were now trailing by a mere 6 points â€" 20-14 Bulls after 61 minutes.
Beale was in the thick of the action once again after the re-start and set out on a majestic run, again flying past tacklers with consummate ease before dabbing a delicious kick ahead to put the home team under immense pressure on their own line.
When the ‘Tahs were awarded another penalty and 3 points moments later for Rossouw de Klerk’s lazy attempt at leaving a ruck, it seemed that the impetus was with the visitors to go on and claim a victory that had seemed highly unlikely only minutes before.
But just when they had got themselves right back into the fixture, the chance of glory was snatched away from them with the turning point in the game.
With the match seemingly going to the wire and the Waratahs pressing, referee Joubert stopped the game after noticing a flag out from line-man Pro Legoete; and after a brief and unconvincing discussion with his assistant dismissed ‘Tahs replacement lock Pat O’Connor for what was perceived as a deliberate head-butt.
The second-row was aghast and many were left sympathising with the big man as he trudged disconsolately from the field and the big screens projected a replay that simply showed a man clearing out at a ruck.
The decision was final however, and aggrieved Waratahs players were left to pick up the pieces as they watched Morne Steyn land his third penalty kick of the night to push the score out again; Bulls 23-17 with 10 minutes left.
The closing stages were patiently controlled by the hosts as they looked to see the game out without incident, and although the livewire Beale was ever a thorn in the Bulls defence, he pulled up short of the miracle needed to single-handedly breach the opposition line.
The Bulls defence was aggressive as the clock ticked down to zero, and good work at the break-down and line-out won possession back which half-back Francois Hougaard thumped into the stands as the hooter sounded.
A hard-fought win for the hosts who continue to march on and find form at just the right time of the season; but the Waratahs deservedly took away a losing bonus point which, but for the contentious sending off, could have been so much more.
Star Man: Kurtley Beale (Waratahs) - 24 runs, 157 metres gained, no missed tackles. The Wallaby full-back was in inspired form and didn’t deserve to end on the losing side.
5-metre flop: Pro Legoete â€" A very dubious call to advise a red card which ultimately decided the game, O’Connor’s subsequent clearing of foul play highlights what a poor decision it really was.
