Brumbies V Bulls

[Spook]

Well Gits is confimed at this stage but Rocky is still an unknown. The Bulls will hammer the Brumbies if they play like softies again upfront.

Leo at 12, Gits at 10. To'omua to the bench.

 

[Langthorne]

My initial gut feeling was that the Brumbies will be pounded, with or without Elsom, but maybe not...

The Bulls let in a lot of points, and the Brumbies backs are much stonger than the Cheetahs (they do have some serious speed on the wings though).

The potential fast phase ball could benefit a 'traditional' Brumbies style.

Stirling Mortlock always takes some stopping.

...on the other hand, the Bulls are very strong up front and in the lineout. Steyn can kick them from anywhere...

Maybe I'm just grasping at straws there.

 

[Spook]

Elsom and Gits are a big addition to any side. I think Elsom, if fit, will sure up the lineout. Sheperdson had a good 2009 but looks shite this year. Time for Ma'afu to step up. Mind you, the Bulls scrum was crap last year as well. Their lineout worries me as does their power at the breakdown.

 

[Blue]

The Bulls let in a lot of points, and the Brumbies backs are much stonger than the Cheetahs (they do have some serious speed on the wings though).

True they let in a lot of points but the will improve on defense. At the 44min mark the Bulls were up 34-14 and went to sleep.

Their cover tackling will improve hugely with Potgieter playing a sweeping role and Hougaard will be back on the wing and his defence is way better than the guy who replaced him (Mametsa) and missed two tackles that lead to Cheetah tries.

They will have to improve tons against the Brumbies though. I expect the Bulls to go back to a kicking game with loads and loads of mauls. They will try to take advantage of jetlag and the altitude by tiring the Brumbies forwards. Good old Bully boy rugby.

 

[Lee Grant]

The Brumbies would like to do what the Cheetah guy did and score soon after the opening kickoff. The commentators said he scored it in the opening minute but the game clock was on 20 secs as he dotted down.

If the Cheetahs scored 34 points against the Bulls the Brumbies should be able to score a few. They just have to stop them running rampant which the Tin Ears couldn't do.

[Thanks PaarlBok for "Tin Ears"].

I wouldn't expect miracles from Rocky in the first game whenever that is. He hasn't had a gallop since the EOYT.

 

[Blue]

Don't get me wronmg, as a Bulls man I am very worried about this game. The Brumbies can take the Bulls on upfront and unsettle them, esp with Rocky back.

The Brumbies will have to toghten up around the fringes - the Force fatties found holes driving it up.

I am just sorry that Bakkies is injured. We'rre missing out on a good handbagging between him and the Snorter.

 

[PaarlBok]

The Brutes pretty much in the same boat as the Stormers. They just have to win this match. The differense between the two teams is between the ears. The Brutes look like starting where they left off last season and full of confidense and self believe.

Spies & Meisiekind was pretty impressive last week and I would like to see them trying Derick Kuhn with Stegman on the flank. Their scrum look way better then last season and dominating lineout. With world class FdP & Steyn they should beat any S14 opposition in the Ring.

Important for both Stormers and Brutes to knock over the Aussies, they exchange opposition next week and we want them low in confidense going in round 3.

 

[louie]

Brumbies have the class to match them but not the form. They'll have their moments but i think when it comes down to it the bulls will pull it off.
The Brumbies should just go all out for this. I wouldn't take any shots at goal and just go for tries. If you try and grind of a win against the bulls they'll get you.

 

[Lee Grant]

Good post louie

 

[Blue]

Good news for the Brumbies is that centre Jaco Pretorius is out for a week and blindside Dewald Potgieter will not be ready.

This presents and interesting opportunity to move Olivier to 13 and play JL Potgieter at 12 but Olivier has been potent at 12 so not sure they will do that. The replacement option at 13 for the Bulls are very green. They might well move Olivier out to look after Mortlock.

F. Hougaardt will be back on the wing though which is good for the Bulls.

Like I said earlier, D. Potgieter's defense is a huge asset and will be missed.

Agree with Paarl - Kuun needs to start in he back row with Stegmann to inject some pace. Wannenburg is too slow.

My Bulls team for Saturday would be:
15. Kirchner
14. Franscois Hougaardt
13. Olivier
12. JL Potgieter
11. vd Heever
10. Morne
9. F Du Preez
8 Spies
7 Derek Kuun
6. Stegman
5. Boss man
4. Rossouw
3. Kruger
2. Botha
1. Steenkamp

 

[JJJ]

A shame for the Brumbies that they had to get the Bulls so early, and away. Not an ideal match for Gits and Rocky to get first up after their injury lay-offs, and with the team still getting used to each other as a unit.

If the Brumbies win this one their confidence will be sky-high, but I think they'll get whipped. Unless they can get some super-fast ball, which King George doesn't look in good enough shape to manage. Yellow cards to the opposition for repeated ruck infringements are probably our best bet.

 

[Blue]

A shame for the Brumbies that they had to get the Bulls so early, and away. Not an ideal match for Gits and Rocky to get first up after their injury lay-offs, and with the team still getting used to each other as a unit.

If the Brumbies win this one their confidence will be sky-high, but I think they'll get whipped. Unless they can get some super-fast ball, which King George doesn't look in good enough shape to manage. Yellow cards to the opposition for repeated ruck infringements are probably our best bet.

JJJ by the same token the Bulls have to cope with changes as well, altough 1-10 is the old machine. The backline is quite unsettled and it showed in defense. Run hard at whoever partners Olivier.

George will be okay. Give him some time. I think he is being written off way too quick. He would want a last big hurrah.

Interestingly, the Bulls have responded well to the breakdown change, and the coach even said that he prefers it and so do his players. At first thought I went wtf? They thrive on turnovers and like a tight game. But if you think about it. the Bulls just love recycling and drivng it up almost with monotony. Quick recycle with big forwards driving it up is bread and butter.

Like I said, if the Brumbies T5 front, they have every chance if they can keep their lungs in their chests in the last 20. If they are behind with 20 to go I'd say they're gone.

 

[Spook]

Stop being reasonable Blue. You are Super rugby champions.

 

[JJJ]

Interestingly, the Bulls have responded well to the breakdown change, and the coach even said that he prefers it and so do his players. At first thought I went wtf? They thrive on turnovers and like a tight game. But if you think about it. the Bulls just love recycling and drivng it up almost with monotony. Quick recycle with big forwards driving it up is bread and butter.

Trust the Bulls to find the least attractive way to exploit new rule changes. :fishing

 

[en_force_er]

Brumbies have the class to match them but not the form. They'll have their moments but i think when it comes down to it the bulls will pull it off.
The Brumbies should just go all out for this. I wouldn't take any shots at goal and just go for tries. If you try and grind of a win against the bulls they'll get you.

I agree for the most part. I don't think there is anything wrong with buffering a 8+ point lead in the last 20 with some shots at goal.
Running rugby is one thing but logic has to prevail.

 

[Blue]

Interestingly, the Bulls have responded well to the breakdown change, and the coach even said that he prefers it and so do his players. At first thought I went wtf? They thrive on turnovers and like a tight game. But if you think about it. the Bulls just love recycling and drivng it up almost with monotony. Quick recycle with big forwards driving it up is bread and butter.

Trust the Bulls to find the least attractive way to exploit new rule changes. :fishing

Big forwards driving it up is attractive if you come from Pretoria but I get your point.

In the Bulls case you can bet on simplicity although they have combined it well with moving the ball wide. The Duvenhage try last week was a good example and well the semi and final last year not attractive enough for you?

 

[Blue]

Stop being reasonable Blue. You are Super rugby champions.

Lol. Only way we'll win it again is to be very reasonable.

 

[Ash]

Blue - I was amazed at how easily Nokwe smoked the Bulls on the outside. I know he's fast, but...

 

[Blue]

Blue - I was amazed at how easily Nokwe smoked the Bulls on the outside. I know he's fast, but...

Ash the Bulls played two new wings becuase of Habana leaving and the injury to Ndungane.

The rookie, van den Heever (who is lightning quick) looks a little suspect on defense. Mametsa on the other wing is also flakey which is why he has never cracked it at this level (he played for the Bulls about five or even more years ago and never held down a spot). Mametsa missed the first tackle that lead to the opening Cheetahs try (scored by Mapoe who before long will be a Bok).

The Bulls will want Hougaardt and Akona N. back in the starting team as soon as they can. Until then I expect a few holes to open up.

 

[PaarlBok]

In the Bulls case you can bet on simplicity although they have combined it well with moving the ball wide. The Duvenhage try last week was a good example and well the semi and final last year not attractive enough for you?

Think you mean Gerhard van den Heever? Duvenhage is the Paarl Gym Stormers scrummie. van den Heever is actually quicker then Habana for the record.