Super 15: Bulls - Waratahs in Pretoria (03-06-2011, 18:40 GMT)

[Darwin]

Super 15: Bulls - Waratahs in Pretoria (03-06-2011)

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (03-06-2011, 18:40 GMT)

Key game for both the Bulls and the Waratahs. The Waratahs sit 6th on the table, but are only a single point ahead of the 7th placed Bulls, therefore this match could end up being crucial in deciding the makeup of the top 6. The Bulls have shown great form over the later half of the season, winning their last 4 matches, and getting the 4 try bonus point in 3/4 matches as well. The Waratahs form has been less impressive, and are coming of a 5 point loss to the Sharks last week.

Bulls â€" 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane/Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretoruis, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Waratahs - 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Tom Carter, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Soseni Anesi, 10 Daniel Halangahu, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dean Mumm (c), 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Paddy Ryan, 17 John Ulugia, 18 Pat O’Connor, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Atieli Pakalani.

The Bulls are waiting for a late fitness test on Akona Ndungane; if he fails the test Gerhard van den Heever will come off the bench and start in his place. Danie Rossouw comes onto the flank, with Potgeiter dropping to the bench.

Berrick Barnes returns for the Waratahs, but will play at 12, with Halangahu retained at first-five. In an attempt to combat the size of the Bulls forwards, Dean Mumm has been switched from lock to blindside flanker, with Kane Douglas pairing up with Sitaleki Timani at lock. Al Baxter gets the start at tight-head prop, as Sekope Kepu has been rule out for 4-6 weeks with injury.

The Bulls and Waratahs have played 14 matches against each other, with the teams having won 7 matches a piece. However the Bulls have won the last 5 matches between the two teams:

27 Feb 2010 Bulls v Waratahs 48-38 Pretoria
11 Apr 2009 Bulls v Waratahs 20-6 Sydney
03 May 2008 Bulls v Waratahs 16-13 Pretoria
10 Mar 2007 Bulls v Waratahs 32-19 Sydney
25 Feb 2006 Bulls v Waratahs 26-17 Pretoria

 

[Cacambo]

I saw vdH is going to be starting because Akona failed his fitness test, for the best for the Bulls IMO. Bulls to win by 7+ I think, they're peaking at the perfect time. Really happy to see Rossouw get the start.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Vbookie and logo's added

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yes, Rossouw and vdH in the starting team is an improvement for the Bulls. I guess it'd be nice for the Bulls to win and go on to have the defending champs in the play-offs to spice things up. Their so close together that its immaterial to the Stormers' chances who wins.

 

[Cassie]

Week by week the competition just begins to get bigger and better with more and more top teams having to play for a spot in the playoffs. This is going to be a big game for the Bulls who still like last week and next following weeks need to win in order to make the playoffs. The Bulls surely have the team to achieve these feet and seems to be playing as a better unit lately.

<O</OThe Waratahs on the other hand have good chance of upsetting any team on their day. They too are in a state where they know that being knocked out will end their season and they too will be treating this game as a final. <O</O
<O</O

Except a huge tussle between these two team at the Bull Ring tonight. I have to opt for the Bulls because of home ground advantage and recent form but it might be closer than anticipated.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Have to admit, the Bulls play pretty well. 20-6 after 45 minutes and Basson scores his 9th try of the season!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Went to do some dinner at 3-3
Seems i missed all of the excitement

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Bulls are lucky with some bounces but their defense is better than it was earlier in the season. Tahs not having any luck breaking through that line

 

[Gavin]

And that is why uncontested scrums are unfair against the stronger scrummaging units

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Red Card for Pat O'Connor for a head butt

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Balls was that a red.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I think it's very harsh, but have to admit that stuff like this should NOT be shown on a rugby field

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Can anyone explain why there are uncontested scrums? I missed that

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

They should have kept Polota-Nau on the field. That would have given them enough to scrum

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I stopped watchin at 6-6 is Beale still the only Tah doing anything?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

23-17 win. I was a bit ****** for the missed penalty by Steyn because now the Tahs have a bonus point.

 

[Ostrayian]

Just as the Tahds had momentum and were hitting back........that red card was a bloody disgrace and killed any chance of coming back.
I see the judiciary cleared O'Connor.....how bout some disciplining for the touchie and ref?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Can anyone explain why there are uncontested scrums? I missed that

Bump.

23-17 win. I was a bit ****** for the missed penalty by Steyn because now the Tahs have a bonus point.

Also, at the death they had the penalty advantage and should have rather gone for the 3 points to deny the Waratahs a bonus point as they are only 2 points in front now.

Just as the Tahds had momentum and were hitting back........that red card was a bloody disgrace and killed any chance of coming back.
I see the judiciary cleared O'Connor.....how bout some disciplining for the touchie and ref?

Yeah, the reffing/citing has been as inconsistent as last year. Guess we'll just have to live with it; those iffy cards, missed forward passes etc

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I heard the uncontested scrums were due to the Waratahs not having enough front-rowers but 2 minutes later they take off Polota-Nau for the reserve hooker. I don't see the problem. Just put the reserve hooker at prop and you have 3 front rowers. Sharks do it all the time with Smit

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I heard the uncontested scrums were due to the Waratahs not having enough front-rowers but 2 minutes later they take off Polota-Nau for the reserve hooker. I don't see the problem. Just put the reserve hooker at prop and you have 3 front rowers. Sharks do it all the time with Smit

Thanks. Do you know who had the upper hand in the scrums up to that point? I didn't watch the game but have been really impressed with both Werner Kruger (for a while now) and Dean Greyling who has did very well with Steenkamp out injured.