The Bulls have had a disappointing Antipodean tour and will be pleased to voetsek back to South Africa after an upset 21–26 loss to the Western Force.
They’ve never won their last tour match in Super Rugby and the record remains intact, much to the delight of Force fans. There could be a babbelas or two in Perthfontein this morning….
You knew something special might be on the cards when the Force began the match with some ferocity. They dominated all facets of play in the first 10 minutes. However, it was Bulls who ended up the winner of the first half, posting two tries to Chili Ralapelle and Bjorn Basson. There would have been more but for the Bulls’ poor handling and a high error rate in the red zone.
The second try by Basson came about when Rabbit was ejected from the field for 10 minutes after he made what the referee described as a dangerous tackle. The commentators, and certainly the crowd, thought Mr Lawrence was joking. But alas, he wasn’t.
Rabbit lifted Kirchner and dumped him on his back. No, not his head nor his temple nor his shoulders. It looked like a hard tackle and something you would see in club rugby every day. When will they ever learn? But give Mr Lawrence his due, he had a pretty good match despite this kak decision.
The Force spent plenty of time in Bulls territory in the first half with Rabbit knocking over four penalties to keep them in the game. To me, the Bulls looked tired and unfocussed after four matches on the road and they’re not the bullying Bulls of old.
In the second half they ramped up the pressure and played a more expansive game using their outside backs to good effect. Basson in particular was a real menace.
The Force kept their composure and the longer the match wore on the more in control they looked. Maybe the Bulls were running out of puff but what stood out more than anything was the Force’s bravura defence. Last night we saw the Reds’ rock-wall repulse the Waratah hordes and at nib Stadium this was replicated to some degree. And it wasn’t just the big units doing the damage as everyone contributed. In the second half their line wasn’t crossed.
The Bulls led 15–12 at halftime and after a succession of penalties (Steyn 54 minutes, Rabbit 58 and 62 minutes) Cameron Shepherd was on hand after a dozen or more phases in the red zone to take a pass from Willie Ripia and score out wide. Although the try went unconverted, Rabbit kicked another penalty 10 minutes later to take the lead out to 26–18.
The Bulls fought back and put immense pressure on the Force at the death but the locals were up to it. A final penalty by Steyn in the 77th minute gave the visitors a bonus point and a heart-stopping Force win.
Let’s face it, if you’re giving away penalties in your own half and the Force kickers are knocking over 7/7, you’re in some trouble. For the statistically minded possession equalled out at 50:50 but the Bulls’ turnover rate exceeded the Force by 20:12.
You’d hardly call the Bulls bergies but losing five from nine would suggest that the champion team of yore isn’t travelling that well in 2011. Some of these older guys are looking decidedly… old. Maybe normal transmission will be resumed when they’re back in Saffaland just now.
As for the Force, they’ve won two on the trot and are on a mini-roll. Next week it’s the Crusaders, who have probably the worst record of anyone in Perth. Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves or suffer an attack of ‘hyperbowl’.
The Force forwards certainly laid the platform for the win. Their scrum was a bit wobbly and operated under pressure but everything else worked all right. They more than held their own in the collisions against a very big pack. Whom could you leave out from mentioning? Tucky was virile in his 32-minute cameo, Pek Cowan worked hard all day, and both hookers and Jono Jenkins tackled relentlessly.
But Sharpie, Wykes, Brown and McCalman were the standouts, Brown in particular. He was very effective in defence. Wykes led the charge with 10 runs and was aggressive around the field. In the backs the Ripia–O’Connor combination is starting to work well. Rabbit is dangerous when given any space… and dangerous when he’s not! His defence was also a highlight. Pat (now known as Paddy) Dellit showed he’s up to this level at outside centre.
With Pocock, Hodgson, Smith and Inman returning to full fitness soon the Force could well be in a good space.
Western Force 26 (Shepherd try, O’Connor 6 pen, Ripia pen) def Bulls 21 (Ralepelle, Basson tries, Steyn conv, 3 pen).
Springbok Watch:
Put his hand up: Bjorn Basson. Looked to be one of the few Bulls players actually in form and interested.
Did himself no favours: Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Wynand Olivier and Bakkies Botha.
Bolter watch: Nil candidates.
