Bulls make big changes for blues match

Ex Keo.

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has gone for big changes before his team tackles the Bulls.

The front row looks completely different with starts handed to both Willie Wepener and Frik Kirsten, Chiliboy Ralapelle and Werner Kruger taking their spots on the bench (sounds right to m eas both are better players than those benched and the Bulle need to have their best on the park -ou snapster of course will be amazed as his hot pick at hooker for the Boks get benched! Hahahahahahaha). The loosies also see change with Deon Stegmann replacing Jacques Potgieter, who drops to the bench while Arno Botha retains his spot.

The changes continue into the backline with Jano Vermaak getting his first start in a long time ahead of Hougaard ( I have consistently noted the bulle backline looks better when vermaak is on at scrummie) JJ Engelbrecht returns to join up with Wynand Olivier in the midfield, pushing Lionel Mapoe out onto the wing (Mapoe is no center so this is not a bad move). Akona Ndungane is also back in the mix, replacing Sampie Mastriet, while Mapoe fills the gap left by the injured Basson.

The bench sees all the players dropped from the starting fifteen with the exception of Jürgen Visser, who comes on in place of Jan Serfontein who is not in the match 22.(Now why cant Serfontein find a place on the bench.  Looks lke  managment think he is not quite ready?)

Making wholesale changes to a team before an important first tour match against the Blues is questionable, but after their opening 60 minute performance against the Force, change could be exactly what is needed.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Mornè Steyn, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandrè Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Frik Kirsten, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Mornè Mellett. Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 Jürgen Visser.

Go bulle time to awake and send another kiwi team dooooooown!

ou Saffex making his name mud on keo says:

"Visser should have replaced Kirchner, Mastriet should have played ahead of Ndungane. Serfontein should have played ahead of Olivier, what the hell is Vermaak doing ahead of Houhaard.

How can he possibly replace Chiliboy with the useless Willie Wepner. Its also about time Jeandre Kruger got the boot as he has done nothing for some time. Play Paul Willemse or Jacques du Plessis.

The only good changes are Frik Kirsten at 3, JJ at 13 and Mapoe moving to wing.

This Bulls side is playing boring conservative rugby. I have a feeling the Blues are going to give them a smack."

Ou snapster is strangely unhappy.

Beeno

I wonder which team of the Bulls otr the miserable Stormers this weekend will get the biggest hiding?   There are two factors here that can impact on the size of the loss, namely -

*   the jet lag issue; and

*   the Earl Silky Hands Jantjies debacle.

Je lad really is a health problem which cannot be avoided.   Earl Silky Hands is a self-inflicted wound - an absolute attempt at rugby suicide by a dolt Coach.

Taking all factors into account - I personally think the Earl Silky Hands Jantjies disaster is going to swing the scale in favour of the Stormers - biggest loss ever at Newlands against a visitng Super 15 team  is on the cards here.     Kindly accept my sympathies in advance - I know you are going to feel lousy about it..

Mike I am of course more optimistic than you and do not believe a big loss is on the cards.

If Jantjes is struggling one hopes he brings on Grant and that not too much damge has been done.

However its a great pity Tiaan is unable to start and Deon at 6. Plus of course the continued absence of Etzebeth and Schalk. In the backline I would prefer Grant. I would also have liked to have van Der Heever at  wing and Taute at 15. De jongh on the bench along with Joe and Aplon.

All this adds up to a big difference in the pack and match 22.

The simple facts are the Stormers are some way off being at full strength but I think we can still win. So here is hoping. This side could easily have beaten the sharks so it cant be too bad unless the sharks are no good.

Beenkop get a life and stop following me around like a hungry pup.

I did post that before I read that Chiliboy, Werner Kruger and Hougaard were injured

great read bean,,,,all i can say is the Blues in my opinion are the most dangerous team in NZ there a team full of new talent who want to make a statement and stamp there foot on the throats of anyone who gets in there way. Henry and Kirwan are ruthless and dont except anything  less than perfection. They want to win back there respect not just for the once dominant franchise but for there fans and there city.Blues vs Chiefs will be a hell of a battle.

 Bulle will in all likelihood lose. I see however they play on Sunday morning our time so they have had a bit of extra time to recover travelwise. However the need real attitude. Do the bulle have that?

As I started this thead  and have a number of posts on it I suggest snapster, as always, you are following me around as a dotting fan!