The Pretoria Bulls have outclassed the Melbourne Rebels, winning 45 to 25.
The Rebels were looking to build momentum after a gutsy win against the Force. The Bulls were looking to atone for their effort against the Stormers.
The First Half
The Rebels were first on the scoreboard after they earned a Penalty from a ruck infringement. Debreczei was able to kick the penalty goal from good field position. Scores 3 – 0 to the Rebels.
After the restart the Bulls set up good field position with strong carries from their Forwards. They were able to send the ball to Basson who scored out wide. Basson converted his own Try and take the score out to 7 – 3 to the Bulls.
Soon after the restart the Rebels regained possession and were moving deep into Bulls territory. The Rebels moved the ball left, setting up Thomson with an open try line. Unfortunately, the ball was split forward over the line and no score.
The Bulls forward pack were starting to run rampant and helped them set up good field position. The ball was moved wide once again, this time to the back rower Nik De Jager. He was able to dance around some loose Rebels defense and score out wide. Brummer converted to make the score 14 – 3 to the Bulls.
The pressure from the Bulls soon turned into more points. A chip kick contest was won by the Van De Merwe, who then spun a beautiful pass to Ismaiel for another try in the corner. Brummer converted to take the score to 21- 3 to the Bulls.
In the shadows of half time the Bulls were able to score another try. Some great lead up work by the Bulls pack allowed Gelant to make some space out wide. When he couldn’t reach the line, Kirsten obliged with a crash over Try. Brummer converted to take the score 28 – 3 to the Bulls at half time.
Basson scoring the first of his three Tries
The Second Half
The second half started in much the same way as the first ended. The Bulls scored two more tries, both scored by Basson. The first was scored when Basson on a chip-kick contest against Placid, the second was scored from an intercept pass thrown by Ellison. Brummer converted both tries to take the score out to 42 – 3 to the Bulls.
After the restart the Rebels finally scored their first Try. After a lineout win in the Bulls 22 the ball was moved wide to Placid, who easily beat the Basson tackle to score. Debreczei converted to make the score 42 – 10 to the Bulls.
After the restart the Rebels made good territory through some clever play from Smith and Jones. The Rebels pressure turned into a penalty 5 metres out. A quick penalty tap allowed Meehan to sneak over the line. Debreczei was unable to convert, leaving the scores at 42 – 15 to the Bulls.
At this point the Rebels were building some momentum through some good phase play. Playing form a good field position, Hanson was able to crash over the line for his first Rebels try. Debreczei missed the conversion, leaving the scores at 42 – 20 to the Bulls.
After the restart the Bulls were back in the Rebels 22. Their sustained pressure earned the Bulls a penalty right in front of goal. Brummer added the three point to take the core out to 45 – 20 to the Bulls.
Whilst outclassed on the scoreboard, the Rebels didn’t give up and were rewarded with another Try. Running deep from their own half, the Rebels regained possession and exposed some a sleepy Bulls defence. Reid and Placid combined to set up Meehan for his second try. Debreczei missed the conversion, leaving the score at 45 – 25 to the Bulls.
Both teams attacked the line in the remaining twelve minutes, however the scored remained unchanged for the remainder of the Match.
Adriaan Strauss – causing headaches for the Rebels all match.
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The Game Changer
The four Tries in the first half, all scored by the Bulls. With only a penalty to its name, the Rebels had a mountain to climb if they wanted to win. Two more tries early to the Bulls in the second half would have also had a devastating impact on the Rebels.
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The G&GR MOTM
In a match dominated by the Bulls forwards it wold be easy to pick one as the G&GR MOTM. However, it’s hard to go past thee three two hero Bjorn Basson. Two of his tries were eared through the pressure he placed on the Rebels, the last was his finishing work off some good team play. Special mention to Adriaan Strauss who played a very mobile game to put his team in great field position.
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Wallaby watch
Cheika wouldn’t be too excited by what he saw tonight from the Rebels. A clear shining light was Sean McMahon, which played with his usual grit an aggression. Ben Meehan was also impressive with two tries of his own.
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The Details
Crowd: TBA
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Bulls : 45 (28)
Tries: B.Basson 3, De Jager, T.Ismael, J.Kirsten
Conversions: F.Brummer 6
Penalties: F.Brummer [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Rebels: 25 (3)
Tries: J.Placid, B.Meehan 2, J.Hanson
Conversions: J.Debreczeni
Penalties: J.Debreczeni[/one_half]
Cards & citings
None
