Take a bow voories
May 31, 2010 in Uncategorized
In my preview of the match I suggested the battle of the flanks and the front rows would go a long way to deciding the outcome of the final … And so it came to be, the Stormers being truly outclassed in both spheres of the game.
And it seems I am not alone in my thinking … Both Victor Matfield and coach Frans Ludeke described the Bulls front row as the “unsung heroes” this morning, crediting them for the Super14 final win.
And let’s remember that it was only a few short months ago that Western Province were scoring a pushover try against the Bulls in the Currie Cup! Ludeke went on to say that he believes the return of hooker Gary Botha from English club Harlequins to be a big part of the front row turnaround.
Bok skipper John Smit had this to say in a Sunday morning Tweet: “The players must be sore today after that brutal clash. Congrats to the Bulls & my men of the match goes to Gurthro, Gary & Werner. Outstanding”
The other area where the Bulls reigned supreme was at the breakdown. I thought Dewald Potgieter and Deon Stegmann were outstanding. As early as the 14th minute of the game Potgieter retained possession for the Bulls by being closer to the ground than Schalk Burger.
How the big ball carriers and power tacklers of the Stormers did against the two scavengers of the Bulls was always going to be key. And I disagree with Burger, who accused referee Craig Joubert of blowing two sets of rules at the breakdown. Joubert certainly looked a little shell shocked and pale early on in the game as he got to grips with the biggest game he has ever refereed, but he was not biased. The Bulls just played the breakdown better …
The Bulls kicking game was yet again pin point, but it was the chasing of those kicks by every single Bulls player that made the game plan work. The tackling was ferocious, especially when homing in on a Stormers player about to take a high ball.
The Bulls of course, also have Fourie du Preez in their ranks, who proved yet again that he is the planet’s best rugby player. No debate in my mind.
Du Preez would have got man of the match where it not for the performance of another scrumhalf who has had to move to the wing because of Du Preez’s presence – Francois Hougaard. Arrogant to some perhaps, this young player has what it takes to play at the highest level – pace, the eye for a gap, fantastic defence, and confidence! A truly incredible performance.
It was not too long ago that Hougaard was playing for the WP Academy side under Stef Nell against an Ikey under 20 side I was coaching. Oh how the ministers of rugby recruitment in the Western Cape must be ruing that little mistake …
Boys vs Men … Deer in the headlights … Possibly a little too harsh. But the Stormers needed to calm down to a panic and play some rugby if they were to compete in the final. But it was the calm that comes from having played finals rugby, together with the sheer physicality the Bulls brought to Orlando, that saw them bring the Super14 era to a close on a real high …
Now for the Boks …
Tank
PS: I HATE that bloody vuvuzela. Please let’s not make it a part of rugby. It really makes the game unpleasant to watch … I even had to switch SABC for the second half as the vuvuzelas just seemed a little softer on their feed. Craig Marais and Pieter Hendricks were commentating, and were quite refreshing!
PPS: Bulls vs Heineken Champs Toulouse this weekend would be so much more fun than a meaningless one off Test against Wales! The best would be Guinness Premiership winners vs Currie Cup winners as a curtain raiser to the Heineken Cup winners vs Super14 winners. Trouble is the Bulls won both competitions … How about WP vs Leicester as curtain raiser to Bulls vs Toulouse? Don’t tell me you are not salivating!
Unicorn007 said on May 31, 2010
From the kick-off the Bulls just never looked as if they were going to let this one get away. Having said that, the Stormers showed that they have a team to take forward and they will get better. No substitute for experience.
johncomyn said on May 31, 2010
Which again proves the point that the team with the dominant front row will prevail in the big games. I also thought that Du Preez was a major factor. We knew this & were hoping he’d have an off day but it was not be. I disagree that the Bulls flanks had the edge. Watching the game we were very confused at some of Joubert’s calls. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind he gave the Bulls more leaway in the loose exchanges. Look at the kickable penalty count against a Stormers side that have been one of the most disciplined sides in the competition. Still the Bulls never looked like losing and deserve the win.
TheRugbyBrain said on May 31, 2010
If I had to be honest, during the game it really felt like Joubert was nailing the Stormers. Now that I had a chance to think about it the Bulls just played the ref better. Joubert allowed them lots of time at the breakdowns and they used it well.
Tealg said on May 31, 2010
Weepee, fact is that the ref handled both sides the same. Stormers collapsed 4 lineout malls, penelised once. What cought the Stormers napping was the fact that Joubert changed the way he normally handled breakdowns and the Bulls adopted a their rucking technic by commiting three to four players at breakdown to drive over the ball (8 times)while the Stormers adopted a ‘sumo’ stance. Lastly 5 cannot scrum against 8, Stormer looses looked like stars in ‘meerkat manor’ first you scrum, then you complain. Stormers will learn and will be back – great for character. “Friend of a friend” who lives in same Estate as Habana tells me Hab’s is talking to Melbourne Rebels, is it true?
sc1pio said on May 31, 2010
very nice read.
The Bulls played the ref better. Craig was of his game, but to suggest he blew a different breakdown law for each team is a bit obnoxious. The ref is part of the game, you have to adapt. If you are arrogant enough to ignore the part a ref plays in a game then don’t come and complain afterwards.
sc1pio said on May 31, 2010
I agree. Those vuvuzelas irritated the crap out of me. You hardly know who the crowd is cheering for. Even when Morne kicked a lot of chops blew their vuvuz (maybe stormer fans). Though i doubt it.
It’s all in good spirit etc but i agree with tank. It’s not part of rugby
frontrowgrunt said on May 31, 2010
Have not heard anything on the Habana “move”. Certainly would not make him too popular in the Cape if he did that … But not shy to chase the cash I don’t think
JackMeoff said on May 31, 2010
Fully agree. Those vuvuzelas are not tradituonal to rugby. Why are we trying so hard to become like SA soccer fans just because we go to Soweto ? It’s a tuneless, monotone noise. It’s embarrassing us !
streaker said on May 31, 2010
Haha, Also switched to SABC. Tank at least you lose with dignity. Most of the Stormers supporters I know blame the ref…
Saffacat said on May 31, 2010
Hell, I agree…those f@rkin Vuvuzelas….seroiusly dude, I actually thought I was going to burst an eardrum. I couldn’t wait for the game to end, just to be rid of the noise, but to NO AVAIL…walking in the streets afterwards was WORSE. Huge thumbs down for the Vuvuzela. (Seriously – they should be outlawed at stadiums – end of)
JackMeoff said on May 31, 2010
SAFFA, it was the first time i have ever watched the game with the sound off. Even Hugh Bladen’s commentary is better than that constant barbaric drone.(And that’s saying something !).
Saffacat said on May 31, 2010
Dude, I was pretty high up in those Orlando stands, but damn damn damn, there is NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO escaping that horrendous sound. F@rk knows how the players managed to function in that racket – seriously…(My team can say what they want…but I feel they were FLOORED by the din of the Vuvuzelas..unprepared…and they had no idea HOW to comunicate on that field. I noticed the Bulls players using a form a sign language they had obviously perfected the week before….My boys just looked STUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNED.
The only time I would advocate the use of the horrible things ever again, is as a once off when ENGLAND visit us for a game of rugga in the future…..
JackMeoff said on May 31, 2010
SAFFA, i wouldn’t even use them on England. I think those pieces of crap (vuvu’s), need to be eradicated from our game ASAP…do we honestly want to look and sound like Pirates and Chiefs supporters….next thing we are all wearing Makarapas to the game. Are we ,losing our own culture in trying to be like others, just for the sake of “unity” in SA ?
Saffacat said on May 31, 2010
I think the Vuvu “fascination” will pass. You must rememeber, these are Bulls fans…(each one trying to outblow his mate) I feel many of these chaps might add: Can Blow Vuvuzela to their CV’s.
But seriously, after listening to Victor moaning about the Vuvuzelas, even the Champion Vuvu blower from Danville, will gladly chuck his Vuvu in the trashcan – PERMANENTLY.
Twas a once off….and npw that this little nation building effort is over, I doubt we will see a Vuvu at a rugby game again (SARU – READ THIS……..)
JackMeoff said on May 31, 2010
Let’s hope so SAFFERS…i can imagine those Klippies&Coke stenched vuvu’s after this weekend (LOL).
perrin said on May 31, 2010
Being a big Stormer supporter I could not agree more what you say about the Bulls forwards and especially Hougaard , Fourie speaks for himself. But my boys did me proud.
I like your PPS, I had a similar thought but it seems SANZAR shot the idea down very quickly beginning of the year and it is a pity.
I cant unfortunately not rate this article.
kevinmatthews said on June 1, 2010
The bulls ahve enough players to field to teams, as we have seen….
MERK said on June 1, 2010
I am an ex prop myself ,yet when I predicted this to a stormer fan last week ,I was laughed at.
nugpot said on June 1, 2010
Your title is wrong, it should read: “Arrogant Stormer supporters win it for the Bulls”. If any of the Bulls players read half of the stormers arrogant comments, that would have been sufficient motivation to win it.