Bulls have need for speed

2006-04-05 21:32

Morris Gilbert

Pretoria - The need for more speed and attacking skills are behind the six changes to the Bulls starting lineup to play the Chiefs in the Super 14 rugby series in Hamilton on Saturday.

Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer says he is especially excited about the value the new centre pairing, Wynand Olivier and Rudi Coetzee could add to the attack.

It is the first time Coetzee has been included in the starting lineup and he will be under considerable pressure not to let Meyer down.

Meyer says it is unfair to compare Coetzee to JP Nel, who is getting a break after seven consecutive matches in the No 13 jersey.

"JP is a physical outside centre, while Rudi relies more on his natural flair. He runs very good lines. Rudi and Wynand could be a big plus factor on attack, but against the star-studded backline of the Chiefs they will also have to be at their best as defenders."

The coach agrees that Olivier's return to the team in place of Dries Scholtz could possibly be questioned. Scholtz played Super 12/Super 14 rugby for the first time since 2003 against the Blues in Auckland last weekend.

Meyer said: "You know me as a coach who doesn't ignore players after one below-par performance. Dries will get a chance again and meanwhile we can hone his skills.

Lack of match time

"Wynand was given a chance to rest when we played the Blues and it will be unfair to leave a player who hasn't done anything wrong out of the starting lineup for another week. He is, after all, the incumbent inside centre."

Meyer is not worried that the new flyhalf, Morne Steyn's lack of match time will be a limiting factor. Steyn replaces Derick Hougaard, who injured his ankle against the Blues.

"Morne is a talented player who made his mark in the Super 12 series. He's a different kind of flyhalf to Derick and brings his own dimension to our backline."

The fourth change among the backs is at scrumhalf where Heini Adams is replaced by Fourie du Preez.

The biggest change among the forwards is the switch of Jacques Cronje and Pedrie Wannenburg. He will play eighthman and Cronje is the new blind-side flank.

"We have an open-side flank in Tim (Dlulane) who will be quick to the ball, while Pedrie could also be labelled a ball chaser.

"We took the decision to move Sakkie (Jacques Cronje) to flank because we want to use him as battering ram. We know Pedrie will do justice to the No 8 berth because he has that feel for the game and will provide cover on the defence," Meyer said.

The Bulls 22-man squad:

Johan Roets, Akona Ndungane, Rudi Coetzee, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pedrie Wannenburg, Jacques Cronje, Tim Dlulane, Victor Matfield (c), Bakkies Botha, Andries Human, Gary Botha, Jaco Engels.

Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Wessel Roux, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies, Heinie Adams, JP Nel, John Mametsa.

- Beeld