"Boring Bulls"

I just want to get one thing off my chest, the conservative Bulls do not just play 10 man rugby. The simple fact is, if they are getting front foot ball, the backs will run the ball and do so well. If the forwards are battling, then they will employ "10 man rugby", which is logical. I am glad the Bulls are scoring big points this season so that all the bloody idiots can shut up about them only playing 10 man rugby. I am so tired of the Bulls being labled "boring", espcially by the NZ'ers that chat on this site......  

The overall Bulls tactic is to apply pressure on other teams until the cracks form, and then to exploit those cracks. If it means that you have to kick the ball to frustrate the opposing team in order to force them to make mistakes, then that is what you do. If you are able to dominate up front and give the backs good go-forward ball, then a running game is on. When the Bulls pack is dominant, then they will invariably start running the ball and scoring tries. When the forwards are not, kicking is the best option. They do Not play boring rugby, they play clever rugby.

If anything, it is the New Zealand sides that are playing boring rugby this year. They don't seem to be able to buy a four try bonus point this season. And their argument will be that their teams have to play each other and because their teams are the "best" they are unable to pick up four try bonus points each other. Well here is the problem with that inevitable argument...when the going gets tough, they win tactically by kicking and they don't run the ball....just like they claim the Bulls do. 

My problem with the bulle is that they tend to collapse on tour. Wonder if this will change this year.

Have to agree the bulle are not a one dimensional team. They can run the ball. Pleae dont however make too much of their efforts against the reds. Those reds were not putting much into the game.

Saturday should give clearer picture of where the Stormers and bulle are. The Stormers will not keel over like the reds did.

I agree on the Reds, they are a severely weakened side with injuries in key positions, and also playing away from home. I think any team in the competition would have beaten the Reds line-up that played on Saturday. My point is simply that the Bulls can play whatever rugby is required of them, even if it is running rugby. The honest truth is, this is not the best Bulls line-up ever, and I for one, would not be overly surprised if they fell off the pace later in the season. Even though I hope they don't. But lets face it, they have had a favourable draw up until now, the real test of where they are this year will start this weekend when they start touring. (But hey, what do I know? I called the Blues as championship conteders before the season started!!) 

It just irks me the way people label them as being one dimensional, when they are more than capable of playing expansive rugby when the situation calls for that style of play. When things are tight, any clever side will focus on the tactical (Kicking) side of the game, expecially when you have good tactical players in your team. 

The Stormers vs Bulls clash should be epic, and I can't wait for it.

Go Blou 

Bluebok the rality is you need some good fortune to win this long campaign. The bulle are in with a shout and so are we in my opinion.  I think thisside is betterthan last year as some dead wood has disappeared.

The bulle pack with Jaques potgieter, Stander and Juandre have added new life into the side. Greyling has improved and Kruger is playing better outside the scrum. Add in the more dynamic Hougaard over Du Preez and Sadie and JJ and things are looking up. Hougaard needs to work on his passing. Some shockers against the reds. 

Some refreshing thoughts there, bluebok, I look forward to the weekend clash. The Bulls to me are flying under the radar this year, no-one knows what they're capable of with so many new faces. That said, it would not surprise me if they go all the way.

Some advice......ignore the blinkered twits.