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Bulls' stars on injury list
11/02/2007 22:17 - (SA)
Morris Gilbert , Beeld
Pretoria - Injuries will again be a major factor this week as the Bulls prepare to meet the Western Force in their Super 14 rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer said after the match here on Saturday: "There was great pressure on us to beat the Cheetahs, but we paid dearly for the victory."
"Richards Bands has torn calf muscles and will be out of action for five weeks. Bryan Habana, who has a hip injury, will also be unable to play against the Force.
Meyer said: "There is also great concern about Fourie du Preez's rib injury and the knock that Chiliboy Ralepelle took against the head.,"
Other players have minor injuries that could rule them out of training on Monday.
"We will know only on Monday morning what the extent of the injury list is, because there are still questions about (flyhalf) Derick Hougaard.
Jaco van der Westhuyzen is back
"We may have to withdraw him from team practices for the whole week and consider him only for the match against the Chiefs (on February 24)," said Meyer.
"The intensity and pace of the match against the Cheetahs could compound matters by giving us a day less to recover."
The Force's victory over the Stormers was a warning to the Bulls, he added.
"They are not as physical as the Cheetahs were, but they have a solid pack and sharp backs. Matt Giteau will make a huge difference to any team."
However, the Bulls have two prospects to which they can look forward.
The first is that versatile Springbok back Jaco van der Westhuyzen is back from Japan and can be considered for the match against the Western Australians.
The second is that the Bulls will have at least seven weeks before they come across a South African referee again.
Marius Jonker penalised them mercilessly in the match against the Cheetahs. At one stage, the penalty count was 10-1 in favour of the visitors.
Congratulated ref
Meyer was unwilling to discuss Jonker's handling of the match, but said he preferred New Zealand referees.
"We lost against the Sharks the previous week, but I was among the first to congratulate Lyndon Bray (the New Zealand referee) on his performance," Meyer said.
He added that he would first evaluate Van der Westhuyzen, who arrived back in South Africa last week, but said players of that calibre added value to any team.
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Rugby
