Rosko Specman: Bulls Kick and Chase Game Plan

Rosko Specman: It was a blessing to be afforded the opportunity to play for a Super Rugby team and make my debut at the age of 29. The fact that it wasn’t the first time that I played the 15-man game made it much easier for me to switch codes. However, the most frustrating aspect for me was role of the wings at the Bulls. There weren’t a lot of times where the ball was spread wide to the wings, so every time when Cornal (Hendricks) and I got the ball, we would try to do something special because we never knew when we would get it again! The whole game plan around the wings was to kick-chase and put the opposition under pressure. It was frustrating for me because you never know when you are going to be in a move, whereas in Sevens I was the guy making the moves and decisions. I was happy with my debut against the Stormers at Loftus and the fact that I scored two tries. But, as the season progressed, opponents identified me as one of the more dangerous players on the field and tried to keep the ball away from me or close my space…  I finished with five tries for the season and, when I wasn’t dotting down I was keeping the opponents busy and Cornal was scoring tries. While we didn’t crack the play-offs, we are putting the correct processes in place. I believe the overall strength of our Super Rugby campaign was because our team was well-balanced. (even if the game plan was not). 

He is right, the wing possession stats were down relative to the rest of the SA teams (Team Stats): 

Blindside Wing

1. Bulls: 143
2. Lions: 211
3. Sharks: 134
4. Stormers: 210

1. Bulls: 94
2. Lions: 154
3. Sharks: 148
4. Stormers: 134

The Stormers are accurate, far more so than the Sharks, but lack cutting edge in the midfield. They can be too linear, like the Aussies. Static phase play can become ridiculously predictable and stodgy. That said, even with some of the players I don't regard, they should still be playing much better. They have the tools to completely wipe out strong attacking sides, removing them from the game. In Leyds and Willemse they do have some x factor. 

Agreed, when they met a team who achieved parity in the collisions, the Shark's possession became very scrappy. Lots of forced passes, lots of loose balls in contact, turnovers, slow ball. Not a great ruck cleaning side. They struggle to control their possession and reset their phase play when their patterns break down. A lack of leadership. It's miraculous what the backs were able to do for much of the season. Robert du Pree z had the most influence according to RPI, but his attack stats were dreadful, Bosch was the opposite. I like the look of Schreuder and Bosch a lot more.