A match of two extremes
2006-03-16 21:59
Pretoria - A Super 14 rugby match of two extremes will be played between the Bulls and the Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening.
The one extreme is the tactical approach and playing pattern of the Bulls that have resulted in three victories in four matches.
The other is the visitors' extreme opportunism. They believe if they get enough possession, they can create the opportunities to run the Bulls rugged.
You cannot relax for even a minute against the Hurricanes. The Stormers learnt this at their cost on Saturday last week.
The Bulls are looking forward to cross swords with an opponent ready to take a chance. They believe the more the Hurricanes are prepared to take chances, the more opportunities they will get.
This is why it should be a more spectacular match than against, for example, the Highlanders or the Waratahs and one in which the game breakers in the two backlines could make decisive contributions.
Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper says his team will face a much bigger challenge playing the Bulls than was the case against the Stormers.
He says the Bulls protect their possession much better and their fowards are merciless while tapping their opponents energy.
As it is, the Hurricanes do not have the best tight five in the series and they will probably try and use their formidable loose trio as a trump-card.
Among the best in the series
Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has described the Hurricanes loose forwards as scintillating players and among the best in the series.
It will be a challenge for Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg and Pierre Spies of the Bulls to curtail Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe and Jerry Collins.
Wannenburg and Spies are playing well at present.
The Bulls tight defence carried them through against the Highlanders and the Waratahs, but Meyer believes they will be under much more pressure on Friday evening.
It will be expected of centre Wynand Olivier and flyhalf Derick Hougaard to close the 10/12 channel, but it will be a big ask against "giants" Ma'a Nonu (102kg) and Tane Tu'ipulotu (99kg).
Olivier performed 17 tackles and Hougaard 15 against the Highlanders. This is excellent statistics, but the question remains how long will they be able to maintain this tempo.
The teams:
Hurricanes: Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Hosea Gear, David Holwell, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo (c), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
Replacements: Luke Mahoney, Tim Fairbrother, Luke Andrews, Thomas Waldrom, Brendan Haami, Jimmy Gopperth, Shannon Paku.
Bulls: Johan Roets, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Bryan Habana, Derick Hougaard, Fourie du Preez, Jacques Cronje, Pedrie Wannenburg, Pierre Spies, Victor Matfield (c), Bakkies Botha, Andries Human, Gary Botha, Danie Thiart.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Wessel Roux, Danie Rosouw, Tim Dlulane, Heini Adams, Morne Steyn, Rudi Coetzee.
Referee: George Ayoub (Aus).
Kick-off: 19:10.
TV: SS 1/CSN.