“I want us to play again where defensively we are sound, our set piece is sound and attacking-wise we are happy.” “We don’t always want to outmuscle teams. “The way we want to play is that we want to be multi-skilled – being able to use forwards and backs. “It is not just because the game is at altitude – which is an advantage -0 but we want to play like that. White said they are keen to use the same high-tempo game that helped them against the Sharks against Saracens. “We also have a very exciting backline,” he said of a combination that includes World Cup winners Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie – with a vastly improved Stedman Gans busy making the No.13 jersey his own. “That is the one area I am really happy about,” the Bulls boss said, adding: “We defended well and when they made a mistake we punished them. “The transition from defence into attach was outstanding,” he said of his team’s ability to use turnover possession to good effect. White said he is “really proud” about how his players kept their composure against a Sharks team that looked to pile ion some early pressure. The Bulls, who remained third on the United Rugby Championship standings, produced a clinical performance against the Sharks – outscoring the visitors by six tries to one (a penalty try).ĭespite being shaded in terms of possession and territory, the Bulls can look forward to the start of their European Cup campaign with confidence. White described his team’s 44-10 demolition of the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend as one of the best defensive effort in a long time, while managing the game expertly. We all know Willie Le Roux as the “Assist King” □ But where does his vision come from? He tells us on “Unfiltered”, the official podcast of the Bulls. That leaves Sarries a short turnaround after travel, while the Bulls will have a normal week at home. They suffered a home loss (12-18) to Northampton Saints at the weekend. There are many theories about how to deal with the challenge of Pretoria’s rarified air – but Saracens will not have the luxury of arriving 10 days in advance. “We have to make sure we use that as a home-ground advantage. “It is tough to play in Pretoria at altitude,” White said. However, in Loftus and its well-documented conditions, the Bulls do have an edge. “I am under no illusion how tough the next three weeks are going to be.” “I don’t need to tell you anything about Saracens,” White said, adding: “Half of the England team plays for Saracens. The earlier match, at Loftus Versfeld, saw the Bulls edge the French outfit 42-36 in a high-scoring affair in December 2022.įor now, their focus is on the English giants. While the temperature will drop from a mid-afternoon high of 35☌ to the low 20s (☌) by the 19.30 kick-off, the cloudy weather and often accompanying thunderstorm will ensure the high humidity (76 percent) will add to the already elevated level of discomfort (created by Loftus’ 1,350 metres above sea level altitude) will give the Bulls a real edge. That is why home-ground advantage is vital for the Bulls. However, their immediate focus is the arrival of one of the best teams in Europe, a Saracens team that includes form Bulls No.9 and six-times capped Springbok Ivan van Zyl. When the URC resumes in late December, the men from Pretoria will head to Cape Town for a face-off with arch-rivals the Stormers – a team they have not yet beaten in this competition. It starts this coming Saturday (December 9), when they host three-times Champions Cup holders Saracens at Loftus and a week later travel to Lyon to face a struggling Lyon Olympique Universitaire at Stade de Gerland. However, Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White said the next three weeks will challenge his team’s lofty status as the country’s front runners.
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