With compliments of thebulls.co.za we give you the preview for the semi-final clash between the Bulls and WP.
Everybody in the Vodacom Blue Bulls squad knows that if you want to win championships you need to win away from home and therefore no one is complaining about the fact that Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup semifinal against the Vodacom Western Province is going to be played at Newlands in Cape Town.
Playing away from home has the effect that the Blue Bulls need to alter their game plan a bit and history has shown that the home team tends to carry the ball more than the visitors and as a result of this the Bulls’ defence has to be perfect.
The Bulls’ defence goes hand in hand with their kicking patterns and with guys like Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner in the starting XV, Province’s back three is going to have their work cut out fielding whatever the visitors throw at them.
Apart from their kicking and defensive patterns the Bulls put in a massive effort during the last couple of days into their set pieces (scrums, lineouts and kick offs) and although it is an old cliché in rugby the Bulls still believe that if you limit your mistakes you chances of winning a semi-finals increases dramatically.
WHY PROVINCE HAS HAD SUCH A GOOD RUN
There is predominantly one reason why the Blue Bulls have such a high regard for this WP team: they have played together for the last 18 weeks and as a result of this they have built up a lot of momentum.
After the Stormers’ match against the Highlanders they realized that they are out of the Super 14 tournament and started building for the Currie Cup.
They did this very successfully and wit a bit of luck they could have finished on top of the Currie Cup log. Coach Allister Coetzee did not use a lot of players and the core of their team stayed together for the last four months and that makes them a very dangerous unit.
KEY PLAYERS
Joe Pietersen: Pietersen has been responsible for the WP’s goal kicking ever since Willem de Waal injured himself. He has gone from strength to strength during the last eight weeks in this department but Saturday will be the first time that he will be under enormous pressure. Saturday’s match will reveal whether he has the temperament to match his talent.
Juan de Jong: De Jong is mostly used as a ball carrier to set up phase from scrums and lineouts. The fact that he rarely loses the ball in contact makes him a massive threat and he is one of the few players who have the ability to beat an opponent with his feat. He has a shrewd sidestep and it is not without reason that he is nominated as one of the Absa Currie Cup Players of the Year.
The front row of Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg and Wicus Blaauw: The Bulls have a score to settle with the WP’s scrum. The last time the two team met Province had a slight advantage in this department, but the Bulls pride themselves on their forward play and they can’t stand being dominated up front. Expect the Bulls to fight fire with fire in the set scrums.
Luke Watson: Love him or hate him, Watson will always be a factor in any team he plays and his abilities as a rugby player are held in high regard by the Blue Bulls’ coaches. At number 8 he will have ample opportunity to carry the ball but he will also try to slow down the Bulls’ possession as often as possible. As captain he motivates his team mates persistently and he will try to be in the Bulls’ faces for 80 minutes.
RECENT RESULTS
2009:
Blue Bulls won 30-22 (Loftus)
WP won 25-19 (Newlands)
2008:
WP won 26-17 (Newlands)
Blue Bulls won 37-6 (Loftus)
2007:
Blue Bulls won 26-17 (Newlands)
Blue Bulls won 35-10 (Loftus)
2006:
WP won 15-10 (Loftus)
WP won 23-12 (Newlands)
Blue Bulls won Currie Cup semifinal 45-30 (Loftus)
2005:
Blue Bulls won 18-10 (Newlands)
Blue Bulls won 39-3 (Loftus)
ALLISTER COETZEE’S POINT OF VIEW
“Playing the Bulls at Newlands is a dream come true for us, although a semi-final is something new to this WP team.
“Facing the Bulls at Newlands in a play-off match is something we planned and dreamt about.
“It’s not about how much experience you have, but about the hunger of the opposition and that’s the side that will come out on top.
“The Bulls are rated as probably the best franchise in the world.
“We respect them, but we don’t fear them. For us it is a great challenge and if we beat them we would have beaten the best team in the world.”
WP’s SEASON IN 2009
Beat the Sharks 29-15
Lost to the Vodacom Blue Bulls 22-30
Beat the Cheetahs 19-13
Beat the Leopards 48-7
Lost to Griquas 32-33
Beat Boland 38-7
Beat the Lions 25-20
Beat the Sharks 21-9
Beat the Vodacom Blue Bulls 25-19
Lost to the Cheetahs 31-33
Beat the Leopards 37-7
Beat Griquas 43-3
Beat Boland 50-7
Lost to the Lions 25-27
MEDIA – IT IS UP TO BAKKIES AND STEGGIES
“It might be a trite cliché, but it is still true – play-off games are all about creating and absorbing pressure. In fact, there are many other cliché’s about play-off games that are also true. For example, you have to use every chance you get, because playoff games are do-or-die affairs – there are no second chances. But luckily for the Blue Bulls, they are the one team in South Africa that knows everything about this subject. The core of his team played in many semis and finals in both the Currie Cup and the Super 14.
“On paper, the Bulls outclass their opponents almost man by man. The only aspect of the game in which WP could give the Blue Bulls trouble is the scrum. But the Blue Bulls should be able to overcome this obstacle. Their pack is in any way a totally different outfit than the pack that was humiliated with a push-over scrum in Cape Town early in September.
“The Blue Bulls have game breakers and stars like Fourie du Preez, Morné Steyn, Victor Matfield and Pierre Spies in their midst. But the two most important players in the Blue Bulls team on Saturday are going to be Bakkies Botha and Deon Stegmann. If these two men could neutralize the WP pack in the loose and at the breakdowns, the contest will be over. If not, WP will be in with a 50-50 chance.” – Koos Venter (Rekord)
MEDIA – THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE FINAL
“Not a single resident in the Mother City needs to be reminded of the strength that the Blue Bulls will be bringing to Newlands for the semifinal – unless of course they weren’t watching Super 14 or Tri Nations rugby this year.
“This does, however, not mean that Luke Watson’s men will be taking it sitting down. In fact, they will be fighting for pride, respect and what can be seen as a shot at rectifying the natural order which dictates that at least four Province players have to be in the Bok squad before the team starts winning silverware.
“But in all fairness, stranger things have happened. Rassie Erasmus also happened to be the man who was responsible for a couple of blue-tears in 2005. Allowing the Streeptruie to dictate proceedings will be a fatal move.
“Several relatively young Blue Bulls are on the verge of gaining legendary status and it would be a shame if they stumble two hurdles short of the ultimate prize.
“Talent and experience is abundant in the Pretoria squad, while history has been in favour of the home side when crunch matches were played in the Western Cape.
“Pity this was not the final match of the season.” – Michael Mentz (The Citizen)
MEDIA – BULLS BY 10
”These games are never easy to call and they often do go down to the wire – with no more than a single score in the final result. They are often also classics, brutal confrontations in which tempers tend to become frayed. On paper the Bulls certainly have a championship team. But there is something special about this Province side. Maybe it is that hunger that they are talking about. And play-offs are often won or lost on inches won by the team that wants it more. We feel the Bulls not only have the class and experience, but they will find the hunger that will secure them a narrow win – by about 10 points.” – Jan de Koning rugby365.co.za
THE TEAMS
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana; 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp. Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
Vodacom Western Province: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Paul Bosch, 11 Frikkie Welsh, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenhage, 8 Luke Watson (captain), 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 JC Kritzinger, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Matt To’omua, 22 Sireli Naqelevuki.
Date: Saturday, October 17
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Sunny and mild, with virtually no chance of rain. High 21°C, low 14°C. Wind 33km/h S
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Reuben Rossouw
TMO: Michael Cupido
89@bdb –
nee, ongelukkig nie … het jare laas daar gestaan … nie dat ek nie wil nie, dis 1 vd lekkerste plekke op nuweland om enige game te kyk omdat jy die snaakste goed daar kan hoor,
maar met môre se game gaan almal so veel as moontlik wil sien
en
eks nie lus om te stoei om ook my bietjie vd game te sien nie!!
maar bygesê … eks naby genoeg aan hulle om nie té uit te voel daar tussen die witmense nie!!
come-on
any takers for that prize at #84?
helloooooooooooooooooo!!
this one is for the province lads
…
Equipment Edgar A Guest
Figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You’ve got all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, “I Can.”
Look them over, the wise and the great,
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world consider them brave and smart,
But you’ve got all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You’re well equipped for the fight you choose,
You have arms and legs and a brain to use.
And the man who has risen great deeds to do,
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say: “I Can.”
@Sir AsBlik – Great stuff Bulley. Hoe hang hulle vandag?
P U M A………………….. IF YOU READ THIS, storm wasnt bad and over quickly. You can undo he hatches.
Wont be able to blog to tommorrow. Enjoy the game and go easy on the red wine and red meat when you are braaing with your friends tomorrow.
SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
93@Ashley Aan die Bulle:
Well I wont back down, no I wont back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I wont back down
Gonna stand my ground, wont be turned around
And Ill keep this world from draggin me down
Gonna stand my ground and I wont back down
Hey baby, there aint no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I wont back down.
Well I know whats right, I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin me around
But Ill stand my ground and I wont back down
Hey baby there aint no easy way out
Hey I will stand my ground
And I wont back down
No, I wont back down
@bdb – Wat rook jy en Asbak?
@Ed_the_Lion – hi TEDDY !!!
@Treehugger – Hello Boomslang.
100
Yaaayyyyy, ek het gewen.
94@Ed_the_Lion –
hy hang nie
vandag is ek stokstyf in die onderlyf!!
97@Ed_the_Bluelion – ons byt nie, ons sing ! Middag Ed .
@Ashley – Bwahahaha. Nee man, ek wou dit nie geweet het nie. Mind you, ek sou seker dieselfde gewees het as die Leeus môre gespeel het. So ek hang maar tot die S14.
@bdb – I know that song, its on the tip of my tongue, who sings it. its now bugging me
@bdbleeu – Middag kêrels. Moet sê julle sing mooi. Het julle al gedink om idols te gaan try.
ok, this is to all the teams in the play-offs tomorrow
….
Al Pacino in ‘Just another Sunday’
I dont know what to say,really,
3 minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives,
All comes down to today
Either, we heal, as a team, or we’re gonna crumble
Inch by Inch,
Play by play
Till we’re finished,
We’re in hell right now,
Gentlemen, believe me
We can stay here,
Get the shit kicked out of us
or
We can fight our way back
into the light
We can climb outta hell one inch at a time
Now, i cant do it for you
I’m too old
I look around,
I see this young faces,and i think
I mean,i’ve made every wrong choice a middle-aged man can make
I..I pissed away all my money,
Believe it or not
I chased off anyone’s who’s ever loved me
And lately,I cant even stand the face I see in the mirror
You know, when you get old in life,things get taken from you
Well thats..thats part of life
But, you only learn that,when you start losing stuff
You find out, life’s a game of inches
So is football
Because, in either game,life or football,
the margin for error is so small,
I mean, one half a step too late, or too early, and you dont quite make it,
One half second too slow, too fast, you dont quite catch it,
The inches we need are everywhere around us…
They’re in every break of the game, every minute, every second….
On this team, we fight for that inch…
On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us,
To pieces for that inch…
We claw with our fingernails for that inch…
Because we know,when we head up all those inches,
Thats gonna make the fucking difference, between winning and losing!
Between living and dying!!
I’ll tell you this: in any fight,
Its the guy who’s willing to die,who’s gonna win that inch…
And I know, if im gonna have any life anymore
Its because I’m still willing to fight and die for that inch…
Because, thats what living is!
The six inches in front of your face…!!
Now, i cant make you do it,
You gotta look at the guy next to you,
Look into his eyes! Now
I think you’re gonna see a guy,
Who will go that inch with you…
You’re gonna see a guy, who will sacrifice himself,
For this team, because he knows,
When it comes down to it,
You’re gonna do the same for him…
Thats a team, gentlemen…
and, either we heal,NOW, as a team, or we will die…as individuals…thats football, Guys…thats all it is…now, what are you gonna do?
@Ed_the_Lion – LOl. Carefull i killed one in my friends bathroom not so long ago with a spade, climb up and in on the ivy outside.
@Treehugger –
performer: Ben Petty
name of the song: The Bulls won’t back down
😉
@Ashley – Fantastic Ashley. enjoy your rugby this weekend. Bye.
@Treehugger – Then I apologise. My bad Treehugger.
@bdb – HA. tOM pETTY AND THE hEART bREAKERS
Message to the Sharks. “Always remember Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David.”
@Ashley –
Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You change your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
Chorus:
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the cream of the fight
Risin’ up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watchin’ us all in the eye of the tiger
Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry
They stack the odds ’til we take to the street
For we kill with the skill to survive
chorus
Risin’ up, straight to the top
Have the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive
chorus
The eye of the tiger (repeats out)…
114@bdb – ek sing die een baie op Rock-Band. 😉
114@bdb –
ouma tina?
@Ed_the_Lion – lOL Told you that you were a big ninny. Thanks bdb it would have bugged me the whole weekend. Had the record once apon a time. I am out . ENJOY THE RUGBY EVERYONE. SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
110@Treehugger –
thanks. same to you!!
117@Treehugger – mooi naweek groenbeweging, sterkte vir jou span !
@Treehugger – cheers…go CHEETAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHSSSSSSSSSSSS
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