An interesting weekend of super rugby, even though it probably caused premature cardiac arrest in a number of Northern households. Even though the Bulls did little to inspire any of their supporters on the night, it got me thinking, what went wrong? Where is this supposed Total Rugby, that the Bulls are allegedly the only disciples of?
For four weeks the Bulls had everyone, Aussie, New Zealander and South African alike in awe of their new brand of rugby. For sure it was very impressive, with one game in hand, the Bulls scored an amazing 199 points in four games, that’s averaging almost 50 a game, amazing! They scored 24 tries in this time and Pretoria was in rapture!
Everyone, even Hugh Bladen dubbed this type of game, Total Rugby, even though the Bulls in the same time let 15 tries slip, and 139 points. To put this into context, you have to look down to position 12, being the Highlanders, to find a team who let past more points. They had one of the highest missed tackle rates as well, surpassed only by the hapless Lions, and the not so forceful Force. But, as long as they keep putting 50 on the board, no-one in Pretoria would have any of it!
Then came the Canes, and, for lack of better words, shut them the hell up! They held their defensive lines, and even though their defense was far from brutal, it was mostly effective. Suddenly things weren’t going as usual, and immortals like Morne Steyn and Fourie du Preez once again showed signs of the 2009 year-end tour, Steyn missed a sitter of a kick, and he failed to put his line away, Du Preez was fumbling with the ball on a few occasions, and got caught in possession more than once.
After 40 minutes, the Bulls were outplayed in every single phase of the game, and looked very beatable, their Total Rugby approach in tatters, and a few of the Loftus crowd slinking off home already. Then came the 2nd halve, in which we saw the return of Bulls Rugby for the first time this season. 9 minutes into the 3rd quarter, I knew the Bulls would wrap up the game, and I didn’t even bother to watch the rest, because I could see whatever I wanted from the highlights of the past 5 years, stingy, hard, uncompromising Blue Bull Rugby!
Did Total Rugby fail? Is it but an illusion?
NO! It never failed, because no-one as of yet, has played Total Rugby. The idea behind Total Rugby isn’t to wait for the other team to set a score and then beating it! Total Rugby is exactly as the name suggests, a type of game that has the perfect balance of all the game’s facets. A good scrum and line-out base, attacking, free-scoring backs, an excellent tactician at 10 , a 15-man defensive system that refuses to back an inch, and a well-disciplined team that can adapt to any situation, without first getting a bloody nose.
Alistair Coetzee said, no attacking team has even won a major trophy, and evidence points to the fact that he is most definitely right. Most pundits would refer to the Bulls’ demolishing of the Chiefs in the 2009 Super 14 final, but in the 12 games preceding the final, we saw classic Bulls rugby, rugby, that we can without fear of contradiction, call winning rugby. Because let’s be honest, it’s not about entertainment, it’s about lifting the trophy!
Where does South African teams stand in terms of achieving total rugby?
The Sharks’ forwards are suspicious, constantly losing out in line-outs, rucks and mauls, you cannot currently judge them on their flyhalve, because they had more bad fortune in the pre-season than most, they also do not have an influential inside centre, and as a result, their outside backs never get into the game, they are still far from the finished product, but need to sort out whatever is going on behind closed doors at the Shark tank.
The Lions seem to have attack well in hand, even if their handling leaves much to be desired, they seem to be able to breach most defenses once or twice in a game, which, under normal circumstances should be enough, but their defense is non-existent, so a try scored, is two scored against them. Carlos Spencer is not really living up to the hype, and switching Walter Venter inside Doppies le Grange might not be the worst move ever. But recent evidence suggests, they are a few seasons away from being contenders.
The Cheetahs have a much more pragmatic approach, soften with the forwards, and hit hard with the backs. They have the goods, but they short the confidence. Naas Olivier is damp tissue paper when under pressure, and potentially their greatest weakness. Bosman at 10, with Ebersohn, a natural playmaker, at 12 and Uys at 13 might be a combination worth looking into.
The Stormers performed well in most aspects of the game, defensively they are tight as a drum, and on attack, they have the player capable of breaching anything put before them. Their scrums and line-outs are adequate and efficient, however, Grant at 10, is not a great tactician, and cannot dominate with the boot. His kicking however is not hapless, and he is a great distributor. With Willem de Waal, this weekend, sending the backline away, more often than not, and Grant maybe returning with a 12 on his back, the Stormers are rapidly developing into a team, and quite a useful one at that.
The Bulls’ scrums are solid and their line-outs beyond contestation. They have a flyhalve with a boot and a halve, and with the exception of Derick Kuhn, have been quite well disciplined thusfar. The Bulls can attack, and the Bulls can defend, if they can do both in the same match, is still to be seen. That they are a great team, is undeniable.
With SA’s biggest hopes setting off for Australasia this week, let’s hope, both can attain their Total Rugby status while there, and return in the positions they currently occupy on the log. Also, the time is here for the Cheetahs to impress away from home, let’s hope the Blikore do us proud.
Hello Blouste, I am so happy for the sharks. Now they just need to upset the Saders. And I really hope the Lions can get a win. I want the Semis to be in SA. Stormers and Bulls need all the help they can get.
@31 Sorry the Canes
Nou dat al die slimmes hier is. Wat dink julle maak die verskil in die tackles die jaar. Stormers kook. Wat sien julle as die werklike verskil.
Sover het WO in die Bul span my beindruk maar ek hou niks van sy tipe heupgooi nie. Hy help die momentum aan wat my betref.
Ek sien die Bulls game gaan oor n paar minute weer gewys word op SS1.
Hi Ballas innie ruggas 😆
Yes boet, we can only hope…
But things are looking good!!!
For both Stormers and Bulls.
30 – Blouste, there is a saying when a team plays bad and still wins that is the sign of a GREAT team. 😉 Bulls could have won by a bit more had they taken their penalties. I knew it would be tough but think Bulls were playing into the Canes hands by running it from everywhere in the first half. Needed to go back to Real Bull rugby, once they done that in the 2nd half knew they would win. Knew the penalties would come BUT they were not taking them. Was driving my almost to heart failure…….hahahaha. Eventually taking the last one and thank goodness for that. They went ahead. Remember a win is a win and that all that matters.
Now your team head off with 5 out of 5 with a game in hand too. Impressive for sure.
Yip, about my Sharkies. Just never wanted to get ahead of myself and think about the win. So much has gone against us this season too. So just pleased we got that win. Will be much, much tougher this week against Canes. See Muller has injured his finger and might not start too. I would start with Steenkamp then instead of Hargreaves against a tough Canes side.
What you think of our new young FB Pat Lambie? He was superb in his debut. Outstanding under the high ball. Only 19 years old he is. Has still to work on somethings but only 19!!!!!!!!!!! Jeepers he was fearless. Reminded me of Frans Steyn at that age.
31 – rugbybal, Sharks have already lost to the Saders. We need to beat the Canes this week. Canes will come back for sure. All the kiwi sides do. They never lay down and die, have the never say die atitude, which I like about them. Similar to our top teams. They are tough all of them and will come back. Don’t count out the Canes yet, or the Blues or Chiefs. All could come back.
Saders from here have easy games and will win all of them UNTIL they travel to SA. They have two very tough games against the Stormers and Bulls. Both our top teams need to beat them here to get the home semi.
super… Ek hoor jou maar ten minste vat die man die manne grond toe.
Party van daai manne se verdediging sou my op skool laat skaam kry het.
Ek se steeds, die Bulle se verdediging pla my nie veel nie…ek weet ons het een van die beste verdedigings coaches in die wereld in my opinie…
Hulle sal dit sort…
Vrydagaand was ons nie
“on song” nie, maar kon steeds die game deurtrek.
Wat my opgewonde maak is die feit dat die Bulle lyk of hulle kan doen net wat hul wil as hulle so besluit.
Hulle se altyd…’n goeie span is ‘n span wat op hul afdag nog steeds die game deurtrek !!! Soos vrydagaand…
Die Bulle gaan verras op die toer…hou dop !!!
@ 35 Puma – Lambie was great !!!
See Rapport says… ” Bulls klop Walsh en Hurricanes…” 😆
35
Puma lets not get stuck like skoppie on 49-0. The fact is the Bulls won and VM has a brilliant success rate as captain, he knows exactly his teams capabilities. So by driving and keeping that ball there after they were down 1 man he might not have succeeded in scoring the try at least he kept them pinned down in their 22 and a lot of time and energy was used up and their desperation levels shot up. He completely suffocated them, they were beaten there and then.
The kick would have given them a chance to get into our 22, a thing they struggled to do in the last 20 minutes.
#37
Bulle gaan nie verras op toer nie, dit werk nie so nie. Hulle is gunstelinge, met ander woorde, as hulle al 4 games wen, sal dit wees wat almal verwag. As hulle al 4 verloor, well, dan sal ek flokken verras wees…
38 – Blouste, Yip think there is a bright future for that younster Lambie.
Bulls klop Walsh en Hurricanes………hahahaha. Hope you get good match officials on your tour. It can cost a team huge.
@ 40 Saint – He he he…
Ek se jou, daar’s nog baie galbraakers wat wag en voorspel hulle gaan vou…
Hoor my lied, een van die Bulle se mikpunte is om ‘n verloorlose toer te he…
Ons sal sien en tyd sl leer, maar dit is die regte “attitude”
Blouste stem saam , WO is een van my gunsteling spelers maar ek soek n tackle of twee van hom wat die ou in sy spore stuit en terugvat. Ek gaan netnou die replay kyk op SS1 en dan kyk of ek maar net fout soek.
Blouste 29.- I know, but it is as I see it. I say the big threats on tour for the Bulls are the Blues and the Reds, because they are capable of playing that expansive game and are unpredictable. You never know whether they rock up with their A or Z game.
Bulls site-
Ek hoop Bailie Swart toer ook saam…
Daar is geen ander manier om die jong manne te bou as om hulle te laat speel nie. Dippenaar sal na vanjaar weet wat dit is om van 0’21 vlak opgegradeer te word na Super 14 toe. (veral as mens kyk na die planlose Vodacomspan) Veral na Vrydagaand se lewensorientering teen die vleisreus Nonu, sal hy boeke vol kan skryf.
Ek moet se, al is die Bulle voor op die log op die oomblik, dink ek die Stormers het ons verbygesteek wat vorm en balans aan betref. Die Stormers se verdediging maak hulle eenvoudig briljant. En Jac Fourie is tans in die beste vorm wat hy nog was. Hulle gee jou geen ruimte om jou patroon uit te leef nie. Daar is maklik twee Stormers wat elke slag doelgerig en hard tackle en sorg dat die opponent nie net geduik word nie, maar twee meter terug geduik word. Dit sal interressant wees om te sien watter span dit gaan regkry om die Stormers se verdediging te ontwrig en hoe hulle dit gaan doen. Die Cheetahs het nie sleg gespeel nie, maar die Stormers het hulle middelmatig laat lyk.
Wat die Bulle aan betref, het ons ‘n baie tawwer toer wat voorle as wat ons tot twee weke terug sou gedink het. Die Reds het opgestaan en die Blues het nou hul voete gevind en die ons kon die Chiefs nog nooit wen in Hamilton nie. Ons het tot dusver in vier van ons vyf kragmetings met agterstande van 0-8, 6-15, 0-17 en 0-12 moes terugveg. Loftus kon ons baie hierin help, asook die lugdruk, maar down under gaan dit nie so maklik wees nie. Daarby is die feit dat ons nog moet reis vanaf Perth na NSeeland ook ‘n groot faktor. Gewoonlik kla die manne die vlugflouheid pla teen die tweede wedstryd.
Posted by mossel (Hout Bay) Sunday, March 21, 2010 – 09:19
Whitehead op senter het ‘n blast gehad in sy eerste S14 game, ek was werklik beindruk…
As far as depth goes, check out the guys playing WP Vodacom Cup:
1. JD Moller
2. Hanyani Shimange
4. Adriaan Fondse
5. Martin Muller
6. Pieter Myburgh
10. Conrad Hofmann
11. Dylan des Fountain
12. Morgan Newman
13. Frikkie Welsch
14. JJ Engelbrecht
15. Fabian Juries
I don’t want to be overconfident, but some of these guys definitely has the means to reach Super 14 level, most even has S14 experience.
39 – Super, It was made just a tad harder by not kicking at poles when the penalties came. The Canes defence was rock solid. Then you need to take the kick at poles when the othersides defence is like a wall.
I think I am right there buddy. Bulls would have won by more, but still that would not have mattered as there was no bonus point, but they would not have allowed my blood pressure to go up. Take the 3 points always if you not breaking through. Well that is my thoughts. I think Loosehead felt the same as me at the time. Bulls just made it a bit harder for themselves not taking kicking at poles in the earlier penalties.
#42
Blouste, ek dink verloorloos is bietjie overconfident, maar hoe dit ookal sy, dis moontlik, ek hoop net my Stormers hou kop, hierdie loslootjie kon nie op ‘n beter tyd kom nie, alles loop in die Stormers se guns, hulle moet elke voordeel laat tel.
46
Saint those guys look like the current Lions team, yes they can play S14 but how good?
Cheers all out of here now.
Enjoy your day.
Puma 35. I predict Lambie to be Bok come 2012.
44 – Bluebeard, before I go. You are spot on there. Those two teams you never know. They can rock up and play a blinder or just not be in the game. Teams like that will always be dangerous to play.
Bulls and Stormers will be ready though.
Best of luck for your teams tour. Hope both Stormers and Bulls come back still lst and 2nd on the log.
Cheers all.
#49
That’s the beauty of it Super, they look like the Lions team, but they are our reserves, at most they will be used one at a time, in a positive, confident team.
BTW Adriaan Fondse already proved himself, one of the best locks you guys ever let slip, with him there, you wouldn’t have had to struggle with Pakslae in Bakkies’ place.
47
OK Puma that was also my view for years , but VM was like that always, now i leave it in his hands, the stress is now less on me, eishhh that decisions of my back.:lol:
Lucky for him we win mostly, otherwise i would have given him lip>
51 – Bluebeard, Yes that younster has oddles and oddles of talent. Now let us hope THE SHARKS START with him again this week. After such a good game he deserves another start.
Cheers mate. Catch up later. By the way your two wings are superb too. You don’t miss the great Habs.
meant youngster.
Okay now that is me out……….haha. Taken a long time to say cheers.
Back later.
53
Saint we like Danie, we never complain about him. He is a great player with a lots of experience.
Cheers almal…
Maak mooi, maak soos julle wil !!! 😆
Gaan die replay nou kyk
a bit of news out of nz
…
Auckland – All Blacks coach Graham Henry has been handed a massive setback to his master plan to finally end the Rugby World Cup jinx in New Zealand next year.
There’s no other way to look at the ramifications of Carl Hayman’s decision to turn his back on the All Blacks and sign a multi-million-dollar two-year deal with Toulon in France.
According to Rugby Heaven correspondent Marc Hinton, Henry has long viewed Hayman’s return as a key plank in his 2011 World Cup blueprint, and the 30-year-old prop’s decision to spurn the generous offer made him by the New Zealand Rugby Union will be regarded as a bitter blow.
So desperate were the NZRU to lure Hayman back they had involved Taranaki and the Hurricanes in the bid process to strengthen their offer, with suggestions they were even prepared to “help” set him up on a dairy farm in the region.
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