Super 15: Bulls - Rebels in Pretoria (14-05-2011)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

The Bulls play the Rebels for the first time and will be eager to score 4 tries on top of the win, because with the 6th spot only being 5 points away, things might even turn out okay this year after a terrible start of the season. Frans Ludeke denies his team has matured too much and is getting too old, but with losses to the Highlanders, Stormers, Force, Crusaders and Reds, and narrow wins over the Cheetahs and Lions, the team has not looked fine this year. Can they turn it around and get close to the play off spots? With their tour over, only the double clash against the Sharks seems to be causing them possible losses.

The Rebels can look back at this season with a smile so far. Despite them being 14th on the log, they managed to win 3 matches this season, when most people thought they would be the new Lions team (recording a all-loss season). The Rebels still play the Cheetahs, which at the start of the season looked like a possible win, but with the recent developments, the Rebels should be scared not to concede more than 60 points. Danny Cipriani has not been the best pick recently but with Cooper Vuna, Julian Huxley, Stirling Mortlock and Gareth Delve, they have some fine players who can cause an upset. Jason Hilgendorf doesn't seem to be able to play, after his painful knee injury.

 

[Cassie]

The first time these two will meet each other can have loads of factors for both teams. I am sure the Bulls will try and play as they did in the second half of the game against the Chiefs. The rebels are also a team that had a couple of games were they came from behind. For the Bulls to be able to try and defend the ***le it’s a steep climb and I am sure players and managers know this.

They are in a spot of bother and needs to dig deep to make sure they can make it to wildcard situation. They have lots of games left were they have to win and it’s not going to be easy, yes the sharks x2 even the Waratahs and the Stormers will be tough games not to monition the threat the Cheetahs can pose. Well if I was the Bulls coach I would only worry about the next game and take it from there each week will have its own initiative and game plan. Step one being to try and get five against the Rebels who I am sure is not going to make it easy. <O</O

 

[Larksea]

5 points for the bulls

 

[Cassie]

Have to stick with my team (through thick and thin) so today I am placing all my cash on them to win by 7 points just hope in the process they can get the much needed 5 points if not I'll be happy with just 4 point as well. A few glasses of KWV 5 year with friends just tastes better if they secure the full quota of points.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Have to stick with my team (through thick and thin) so today I am placing all my cash on them to win by 7 points just hope in the process they can get the much needed 5 points if not I’ll be happy with just 4 point as well. A few glasses of KWV 5 year with friends just tastes better if they secure the full quota of points.

5 year is my preference as well. The Rebels don't look that impressive on paper but have doe the business a couple of times earlier in the season. Bulls will have to pick up where they left off with the Chiefs but I'm sure they'll bag 5 points.

 

[Cassie]

5 year is my preference as well. The Rebels don't look that impressive on paper but have doe the business a couple of times earlier in the season. Bulls will have to pick up where they left off with the Chiefs but I'm sure they'll bag 5 points.

I have a 15 year for a special occasion that I still don't know when might be the appropriate time do drink it. Propably can think of a few, but yea the 5 does not taste too sweet as to the 10 year.

Just thought this might be appropriate as all the other threads have this:


The Vodacom Bulls team (with Super Caps) to play the Melbourne Rebels is:
Zane Kirchner (49), Gerhard van den Heever (25), Stephan Dippenaar (18), Wynand Olivier (81), Bjorn Basson (18), Morné Steyn (83), Fourie du Preez (109, c), Pierre Spies (66), Dewald Potgieter (40), Deon Stegmann (49), Danie Rossouw (110), Bakkies Botha (95), Werner Kruger (52), Gary Botha (81), Dean Greyling (9).
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle (29), Rossouw de Klerk (8), Flip van der Merwe (28), Victor Matfield (119), Derick Kuün (66), Francois Hougaard (23), Francois Brummer (4).

The Melbourne Rebels have named their team to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld with Julian Huxley named at fly half. Julian Huxley replaces injured Jimmy Hilgendorf at flyhalf, with Richard Kingi taking up fullback duties. In the forwards Alister Campbell and Hugh Pyle have swapped positions in the second row.
Luke Rooney replaces Peter Betham on the left wing. And, Afusipa Taumoepeau replaces Mark Gerrard at Outside Centre.

Rebels

15. Richard Kingi 14. Lachlan Mitchell 13. Afusipa Taumoepeau 12. Stirling Mortlock 11. Luke Rooney 10. Julian Huxley 9. Nick Phipps
8. Gareth Delve 7. Michael Lipman 6. Hoani Macdonald 5. Alister Campbell 4. Hugh Pyle 3. Laurie Weeks 2. Ged Robinson 1. Greg Somerville
Replacements : 16. Heath Tessmann 17. Nic Henderson 18. Kevin O'Neill 19. Jarrod Saffy 20. Tim Davidson 21. Peter Betham 22. Cooper Vuna

 

[Sam Owen]

Really like the Rebels but I reckon the Bulls will win.

 

[lucky number 7]

Rebels must be kicking themselves for leaving cipriani behind...

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yeah, if you bet on the Bulls you lose money...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, that's not right at all,
I'll update it with the latest odds from Bet365


Edit: Just ignore the decimals they're strange, (or class it as: put £1 on, get £0.50 profit (plus your £1 back))

 

[Cassie]

The Bulls played well in the first half because they did the basics right and played as a team. The game was surly one of those games of two halves. I think the second half saw the guys trying an individualistic approach which in my opinion is easier to defend. Got to give some credit where it is deserved the Rebels played better in the second half and was very unlucky to get a try awarded against them in the first half. I am not sure who was more shocked me the commentators or the players themselves.

The Bulls will take the five and know that they will have to play much better against the Sharks for 80 min if they still want to be in the competition.