The Bulls hosted the Brumbies at Loftus, Pretoria late this afternoon. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA. The Bulls won in impressive style, going away at the end and easily bagging full 5 Log Points to move alone to the top of the Super 14 table. They denied the Brumbies from any log points in the process. The Final score was Bulls 50 / 32.
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from the Bulls web site, the following:
The Bulls gave their home supporters plenty to shout about in their opening Vodacom Super 14 match at Fortress Loftus, scoring five tries after overcoming a determined Brumbies side, who had a 27-20 lead after 50 minutes of play.
Seventeen points in ten minutes not only edged the Bulls ahead, but secured the bonus point as well as the Bulls racked up 50 points for the second consecutive week.
The win keeps the Bulls on top of the Super 14 log after week two, but some early Bulls errors and some good phase play had the Brumbies in the lead in the opening quarter.
They scored two tries, with Steyn’s boot the only answer from the Bulls.
Tries by Fourie du Preez and Steyn before the break gave the Bulls the lead, but a late penalty by Stirling Mortlock gave his side a 21-20 advantage at the break.
A long range drop goal by Matt Giteau and another Mortlock effort saw the lead stretch again in the second stanza, but once Gerhard van den Heever pouched a stray Brumbies pass and ran 35 meter to score under the sticks, the Bulls never looked back.
Wynand Olivier then scored a great try after some strong scrumming by the pack had the Brumbies on the back foot and Steyn did the rest.
A late Brumbies try gave the score line some respectability, but Brumbies coach Andy Friend admitted that they came up well short on the night.
My visit to the Press Conference after the match:
Brumbies coach Andy friend and captain Stephen Hoyles attended the Press Conference on behaf of the Brumbies.
Andy Friend is a soft-spoken but determined fellow, does not mince his words and answers questions with openness and without hesitation, same with Hoyles, no bullshit, just straight answers.
I asked wheter the current “New Interpretation” of the Laws will continue causing high scoring games, as has been seen in quite a few of the matches of the first 2 rounds. Both Andy and Stephen praised the new application of the Laws and said clearly that this is how they want to play, that it suits the Bumbies style of play and rewards the attacking side.
When I asked what Hoyles sees as their biggest place where they, as a Team, should improve, it was without hesitation that they MUST improve their dicipline… not give away so many penalties.
In general, the Brumbies were lavish in their praise of the Bulls and the way the Bulls play.
For the Bulls, coach Frans Ludeke, captain Victor Matfield, centurion Perie Wannenburg and man of the match Morné Steyn attended the Press Conference.
Firstly, what utterly approachable fellows these gentlemen ALL are, they are jovial, not arroant… and answers questions without dodging anything. Victor already had some “Hippy Jeans” & floppies and a T-shirt on, laid back as they come! They were obviously happy with the game and with the first 2 rounds.
When asked about the “New Rules Application” of the Laws, it is clear they fully embrace them and are basing their game plans accordingly.
Pedrie was humble about his milestone of 100 Super14 matches and says that he feels that there are still aspects of his game he needs to improve.
I asked Morné Steyn whether, having scored 3 tries already in this Super 14, he is focussing on his attacking game this season and his answer was clear…. he praised his forwards and Team for creating the opportunities and only plays his normal game.
I asked Frans about injury situations and when we could expect Bakkies, Dewalt, Akona ect back. It seems Dewalt Potgieter will be back within a week and Bakkies and Chilliboy is only due in 4 weeks.
All in all, the Bulls are confident, yet serious, with feet securely grounded.
Scores:
Bulls: 5 Penalties & 5 Conversions & 2 Tries Morne Steyn, 1 Try Fourie du Preez, 1 Try Gerhard van den Heever, 1 Try Wynand Olivier
Brumbies: 4 Penalties & 1 Conversion Stirling Mortlock, 1 Try Rocky Elsom, 1 Try George Smith, 1 Drop Matt Giteau, 1 Try Pat McCabe
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Stephan Dippenaar, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Pedrie Wannenburg, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Fudge Mabeta, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 22 John Mametsa.
Brumbies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Francis Fainifo, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Justin Harrison, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Mitchell Chapman, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Matt Toomua, 22 Tyrone Smith.
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
See you Sharkie, have fun.
Tryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Morneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Tryyyyy…..I love this game!!
Yeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaa try no 2 Morne
Man of the match
50 nie uit nie.
Waar de vok is vanstraaten
Well done Bulls, Try Morne.. Yes, making Brumbies look very ordinary now.. 😉
50 points up for Bulls.
superBul, tell me you are enjoying the match now!! 😉
Bulls 50 / 27
Morne has scored an impressive 35 points!!
309 yes , yes velly much
292 – Carol, not just the altitude. Bulls just playing way, way better now.
Potties lyk mooier in blou as wit.
290 – Cheers Sharky, Catch up with us during the Stormers game.
GBS kry vir ons n getekende Bulls trui.
Very well done BULLIES, am out for now, need to eat, see you for next game.
Another win for the Bulls on their home turf. Well done boys….
Hope everyone enjoyed that match…..We are in for an exciting few weeks……
80 Missed Conversion Stirling Mortlock 50 – 32
79 Try Pat McCabe 50 – 32
76 Conversion Morne Steyn 50 – 27
75 Try Morne Steyn 48 – 27
73 Penalty Morne Steyn 43 – 27
67 Penalty Morne Steyn 40 – 27
61 Conversion Morne Steyn 37 – 27
60 Try Wynand Olivier 35 – 27
56 Conversion Morne Steyn 30 – 27
55 Try Gerhard van den Heever 28 – 27
52 Penalty Morne Steyn 23 – 27
50 Penalty Stirling Mortlock 20 – 27
42 Drop Goal Matt Giteau 20 – 24
36 Penalty Stirling Mortlock 20 – 21
33 Conversion Morne Steyn 20 – 18
32 Try Morne Steyn 18 – 18
30 Penalty Stirling Mortlock 13 – 18
25 Conversion Morne Steyn 13 – 15
24 Try Fourie du Preez 11 – 15
21 Conversion Stirling Mortlock 6 – 15
20 Try George Smith 6 – 13
17 Penalty Morne Steyn 6 – 8
14 Missed Conversion Stirling Mortlock 3 – 8
13 Try Rocky Elsom 3 – 8
12 Penalty Morne Steyn 3 – 3
9 Missed Penalty Morne Steyn 0 – 3
1 Penalty Stirling Mortlock 0 – 3
Well done Bulls. Very good win there. Get the bonus and right on top of the log. Brumbies never even got a bonus point. Good stuff from the Bulls.
My superBru very out there….I said Bulls by 5!! EEkkkk
318 – Super, Now why were you nervous again?..hehe. Bulls were superb. Don’t think any team will beat Bulls at Loftus. Not this year anyway.
Bulls are almost unbeatable at Loftus.
320 – Carol, I said by 7. Then Saders and my Sharkies let me down big time on my bru picks.
OK, out for now…..Remember to go steady on the drinking and driving front all you celebrating Bulls fans wherever you may be!!
Bulle was gemiddeld vir so 50 minute, maar toe 20 minute se voet in die hoek: game-set-match.
Goeie span, en daar is nog heelwat manne wat moet terugkom.
Geluk Bulle, julle is waardige kampioene.
Hierdie nuwe reels is besig om rugby optedonner!! 50-32!! 82punte in ‘n game!! Wie wil sulke rugby sien? 😆
hehehehehe, waar is julle manne wat gisteraand en vanoggend so gekla het oor die Lions/Chiefs game?
Mooi gedoen Bulle!!
Bulls win eassssssssilyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!
Bulls get their 5 Log Points, Brumbies get none!
Bulls now alone on top of the Log at 10 points…. 10 out of a possible 10
Matt G was goed, maar Morne was skitterend.
322 – Winston, for sure mate, Bulls are superb at Loftus then they were last week in Bloem too. Bulls are the best side in the tourney so far.
327 – GBS, Well done to your Bulls. Now enjoy yourself. Your team done you proud.
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