Unconvincing bulle win?

I have not seen the match but if these comments are true this iwas not a convincing result.

RYAN VREDE (Keo) watched the Bulls score in the closing stages to register an impressive and vital 27-24 victory over the Waratahs in Sydney.

Werner Kruger surged over the tryline with four minutes to play and Morne Steyn, flawless with the boot once more, landed the conversion that gave the Bulls the narrow lead and ultimately the victory.

After trailing for the majority of the match the Bulls summoned the composure and resolve that was the hallmark of their championship sides of 2007, 2009 and 2011. Many thought those qualities would disappear after the mass exodus of senior players last year. But this youthful Bulls side continue to defy expectations.

The Tahs will lament their impotency in light of their possession and territorial dominance. They ticked all the main boxes you need to in order to beat the Bulls: physicality and accuracy at the gainline on attack and defence, an excellent kicking game that counters the Bulls’, and a committed chase that exerts pressure on the receiver. They also once again exposed the Bulls’ Achilles heel, discipline at scrum time (they lead the tournament in scrum penalties conceded). Some fundamental handling errors and missed touch kicks further undermined the Bulls’ cause. But the Tahs lacked a killer instinct and paid for that. (Seems tahs lost the game rather than the bulle won it?)

The Bulls trailed 13-10 at the break despite being second best for the better part of the first half. It was a good position considering they spent much of the 40 repelling the Tahs in their 22m.

There was an improvement on the poor defence that had marked their last two matches, but a questionable decision to shift inside from midfielder Johann Sadie saw Rob Horne slice through the line to score the game’s first try.

The Tahs lost Dean Mumm to the sin bin in the 22nd minute and Francois Hougaard hauled the Bulls into the contest shortly thereafter, powering through three tackles en route to the tryline. Steyn converted but Berrick Barnes kicked a penalty just before half-time to give his side a three-point lead going down the tunnel.

Barnes banked three more points after the restart but the Bulls refused to relent and going into the final quarter they scored through Akona Ndungane after a quick-tap move. Steyn added the extras, but, as they had done last week against the Rebels, the Bulls conceded almost immediately, wing Atieli Pakalani finishing in the corner.

You sensed then that the Tahs would close the game out but their visitors made a statement with their ability to call on their reserves in striking the late death blow after being pounded for most of the contest.

Nice to get the points but not satisfactory in many regards. Seems the bulle burgled one here?

Greetings.

Any win overseas is a good win to me. 2 out of 2. One more overseas and the Bulls will win the conference. I believe you are a Stormers supporter, Beeno? It seems your comments are showing yor nerves at the Bulls breathing down the Stormers necks?

True an overseas win is nice to get especially when you have been pounded the whole game - It nevertheless appear the warts were much the bettter side which sets off alarm bells when bulle contemplate the top teams.

Anyhow I did not see the game - will watch it tonight - so I will not be too dogmatic right now. Reports can be misleading. I have noticed though bulle fans bury their heads in the sand when it comes to realitic appreciation of their sides performance. If they win a match they should really have lost they squawk - look a the scoreboard - hahahahahaha I know the bulle so well.

As for me blue 2 -  I am perfectly relaxed on a beautiful day down here in Cape Town.

It was not convincing but it was good enough. At least the Bulls have sorted out their defensive issues of the past few weeks. They missed Greyling at loosehead because Steyn got his arse kicked at scrum time.

Chiliboy had his first average game of the season. Morne missed two penalty kicks for touch. Hougaard was awesome, how strong is this kid? He should take it up more often.

An away win against a handy side, the Bulls showed good composure winning that one with a minute to go

Well done to the Bulls, I didn't expect them to win and I did say it would be a pleasant surprise if they did. Not a pretty game by any standards but a win is a win after a much improved defensive effort. I like the way they kept their composure by not panicking steadily instead working their way to the 'Tahs tryline.

Winning it with one minute to go after having your butt kicked all afternoon sounds like a big dollip of good fortune!

But far be it for me to rain on the bulle parade!  Marvellous win bulle!

Yes it was not pretty, but the Bulls deserve all the credit for taking a close game and the end and finnishing it off. That was well done. Now the nerve of the new look bulls will show. 2 games to go on tour. They will be looking towards home from here, so let's see what they dish up.

Also no injuries as well. That is very important.

Beeno dont be a complete idiot and make it up as you go - how did you work it out that the Bulls got their butts kicked all afternoon, especially considering you never even watched the match - get a grip son

Firstly daveou you should read the article I posted. Then davceou please read the article below. (Always use repetition when dealing with a struggling student)

Hope all this helps Dave. Two separate journalist giving an account of the  game.  So chances are rising they could be correct.  Neither think the bulle dominated. Fact is they got lucky at the end and pulled it off.

If luck had not been with them can you imagine the roasting the bulle would be getting for what was largely a dismal display!!!

Beeno always the realist. However I will assess the match myself when I see it but will be surprised if these two journalsist both get it too wrong.

so what if they are lucky? A win is a win? what happens if cheetahs get lucky tomorrow? Then the Bulls will have a nice 4 point cushion.haha

true a win is a win, irrelevant how it is achieved. And as we have said blue, and i believe beeno also said it, they did well to come back and take it. nothing wrong with that, no one said that.

Possible but unlikely blue 2 . Cheethas are going dooooown! Its unfortunate but has to be.
We need a 5 pointer so i have put in my order.

Actually  this could see a different approach from the Stormers. We could see more running rugby from the Mighty Stormers on Saturday. 

Beeno try watch the game an formulate you own opinion - I might then be able to take you seriously - until such time I suggest you shut up as there is nothing more infuriating than listening to an idiot mouth off about something he knows stuff all about

daveou I quoted some bloggers and two journalists who were all on the same page re the bulle not going too well.

So may I suggest you buy a packet of good ear plugs. That way you cant hear yourself. Bwahahahahhaha

I will indeed watch the match as I have already said I would.

Once you have watched it come talk to me, for one certainty is that neither the Bulls nor Tahs dominated that game

Noted dave. Do you have the possession and territory stats at hand. Seems like the tahs camped in the bulle 22 for long periods. You appear to have watched another game to all these folk.

What clearly is needed here is that expert eye!

Watch the game dumbo

Winning it with one minute to go after having your butt kicked all afternoon sounds like a big dollip of good fortune!

But far be it for me to rain on the bulle parade!  Marvellous win bulle!

 Beeno1, this comment boggles the mind as make this and still admit you never saw the game, eish bro, you must be clairvoyant!

As South Africans, we should rejoice and support any of our teams playing in Australia and NZ.  Winning a game means having more points than the other team.  So, the Bulls won!  The negativity with which some of you comment smacks of jealousy and strong provincialism for sure.

I try not to let provincialism become an issue and try and look at the games objectively and not clouded by the subjectivity brought on by provincialism and favouritism.   This seems to be a problem for many of us commenting on games.  Beeno1, in fairness one cannot comment on a game, based on the article some scribe pens.  The Bulls have played 2 and won two so far on their tour.  Enjoy the rugby and try and keep it real.

 Saffex, name calling serves no purpose as most of them know who and what they are.  It seems that some get joy from the subjective ramblings they post without substantive evidence or statistical proof.

Agreed luna, its pathetic how some seem to gain so much pleasure in a fellow SA'n side struggling or losing to a foreign side - its beyond comprehension. I suspect some Jake White supporters actually support the Brumbies when playing SA sides - how pathetic is that? 

You see the Bulls were supposed to battle this year, what with all the main manne having left. A mid table finish would have been brilliant for them, or so the experts said. The Stormers were going to be the team to do it for SA, with the Sharks backing them up.

Now we see the Stormers must win tomorrow with a bonus point to keep up with the Bulls. what a turn up for the books. No wonder the Bull bashing, Stormer loving journo's, especially those trogdolytes from Keo, are sweating a bit.

I cannot wait for the game at Loftus. My ticket is already in my pocket!!

Lunatic there is nothing silly about saying you have not watched the game but then giving comments by other bloggers and two journalists and concluding that if what they say is true the bulle were lucky to win etc.

I see clevermie also thinks the bulle were lucky to win.

What is hilarious is any idea that one cannot comment on something one hasnt seen. Try doing that for a week and then tell me how it went!

As for the bulle yes they are doing well and it is nice to win overseas. However the quality of the win also needs to be considered.

Dumbo daveou please take your medication and relax a bit. I have watched the first 15 minutes or so of the bulle game and so far its real bad. Forwards lack punch but they are defending.

Those thinking Oz rugby is weak need think again. Beale looking good at flyhalf.

Naturally Blue you want to see the MIGHTY Stormers at loftus.

What chance jonkers or joubert reffing the game. That will be critical. But other than that, providing we have a full strength side the bulle will go down.

Now cheer up stop bleating away and enjoy the sharkies game and the tussell between the Stormers and Cheetahs.

We want three team in the top 6.

 @Beeno1 Quote: "Nice to get the points but not satisfactory in many regards. Seems the bulle burgled one here?" "Naturally Blue you want to see the MIGHTY Stormers....."

So I suppose that with your "objectivity" the Stormers had a great game agains the Cheetahs, yes?  Oh, I forget, someone said it does not matter because they play a "great brand of rugby"  Hahahahahahaha...  No man, be real.  The Cheetahs surprised the Stormers who did well to bite and hold-on to the win, with ugly rugby - but a win in the end is a win.  Well done Stormers.