Matfield up for second row rumble
29 Oct 2009
Victor Matfield is preparing for a stern test of his ability when he faces Cheetahs locks Nico Breedt and David de Villiers in the Currie Cup final on Saturday.
Matfield has been a dominant lineout force at Super Rugby and Test level in 2009, and his performances, coupled with those of his long time second row partner, Bakkies Botha, have been central to the Bulls and Springboks’ success.
However, in Breedt and De Villiers, Matfield is bracing for a sustained threat to that dominance. The duo coped well against the Matfield and co in their last meeting at Loftus in September (the Bulls won 30-27), although it has to be noted that Botha was absent through injury.
A repeat performance will put Naka Drotske’s charges in a good position to cause an upset, and Matfield was acutely aware that they would be fiercely determined not to be outdone.
‘Both of them are very good players,’ Matfield told keo.co.za.
‘Nico is a big mate of my. We played together at Toulon, so I’ve seen first hand how good he really is. I think he’s been their star this season. His ball carries have been so strong, and his work rate is very high.
‘David has been impressive for them at the lineouts, and he’ll be difficult to get the better of. But we’re doing everything to prepare for them and hopefully we can put them under pressure.’
The Bulls have played in seven Currie Cup finals and two Super Rugby finals since 2002. In addition, six of their starting 15 are World Cup winners. However, despite the team’s familiarity with the big stage, Matfield insists that complacency is not a factor.
‘It’s easy to keep the guys focussed despite the amount of success they’ve enjoyed in the last couple of years,’ he said.
‘We’re just looking to build on that success. All the guys are desperate to win, and for someone like Bryan [Habana] it means a lot. He came here to win a Currie Cup and he hasn’t yet, of this is an awesome opportunity for him and for us to finish on a high.’
Asked whether the week break had further galvanised the squad, many of who had played without much rest in 2009, Matfield said, ‘It has its benefits and disadvantages.
‘In some ways it would have been nice to have played immediately after the semi-final because we would have taken the momentum from the win against Province into the final.
‘Then again, a lot of the guys have played a lot of rugby this year, and the week off certainly helped refresh the body and mind.
‘So I can’t say precisely which would have been better, we’ll only know after the final whistle on Saturday.’
Coach Frans Ludeke was more certain about the benefits, although he stressed that physical freshness was just one element needed to succeed.
‘You saw it [the benefits] on Monday. The guys were absolutely flying in practice. But we’re not relying on the break or past success for confidence. There must be a desire to be successful on the day,’ he said.
‘We also need character because finals are won through character. It’s important that we stay calm because in the game momentum sways, and when it sways in your favour you need to be ready to take advantage.
‘We back ourselves and our systems and we’re ready to give everything on Saturday.’
By Ryan Vrede
178 Comments
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29 Oct 2009, 20:48 pm
#98 justrugby: thanks boet…will need to pop through if ok…as well as the bok midweek games…..
29 Oct 2009, 20:48 pm
Hiya JR and G10,
Spill the beans, what have you done on Superbru for the weekend’s fixture?
Is ist 3pm your time btw?
29 Oct 2009, 20:48 pm
hey sharkgirl. Jose was the reason i was fond of chelski too, anyone that can stick it to AF is a champ in my book, he dresses fly too, witty & a tactical genius to boot!
Are you referring to berlusconi re rosso & neri?
Girladino has been saving the Old Lady’s bacon lately…what do u think of Iaquinta & Trezegeit (sp)? Is Del Piero injured or retired?
29 Oct 2009, 20:49 pm
Grant between Tswane and Umhlanga Rocks its an easy choice its not always about the money its also the way of life Habana said as much about his move
29 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
good evening everyone
hiyas grant mate if what you say is true the sharks are going for the trophies no doubt
they bought very little the past few years so of course they want action and results
i personally dont believe we need another 3 or prop we are good there and with mostert 120 lock and alberts being large fellas the weight in scrums will be so much more
my problem i believe is at 12 and 13 , the sharks mad a huge mistake losing steyn , they need a quality replacement
29 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
#103 Sharksgirl: Are you telling me Pretoria is ‘dull’?
29 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
#100 grant10:
Always a pleasure !!!
29 Oct 2009, 20:51 pm
#104 sharks_lover: Well good evening Sharky!!
Are you a happy man with the latest news?
Puma will be extatic!!
29 Oct 2009, 20:53 pm
#101 carol: hi…Bulls by 5 my side Carol
29 Oct 2009, 20:55 pm
#103 Sharksgirl: For sure….but the money helps too!!!
Habana is getting both!!
As is J Fourie.
29 Oct 2009, 20:55 pm
hiyas sweety miss carol and yes happy but not that happy yet till its official
its a proven fact sharks are the wealthiest union , and they have not spent much the past few years , si i guess they knew results are needed so time to splash out
29 Oct 2009, 20:55 pm
#101 carol: Hi Carol
I have the Bulls by 15 !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:56 pm
#104 sharks_lover: ja…3 is an issue…you know how i feel about the bok front row….best 3 in Durbs is Cilliers!!
Agree re the centres…
29 Oct 2009, 20:57 pm
grant how certain are you about brussow??
29 Oct 2009, 20:58 pm
#110 sharks_lover: always best to see the ink dry…but it appears a done deal…
29 Oct 2009, 20:58 pm
The very one! My uncle presided on his original trial. I really like Iaquinta good striker but seems out of sorts trezgunet is past his best imo
29 Oct 2009, 20:58 pm
#108 grant10:
#111 justrugby:
I was sort of veering towards 10, smack bang in the middle of you two…..
Wondering if I will be able to watch on Justin TV this time, have not managed to pick up many Currie Cup Matches so far, Super 14 seemed better covered.
So, WP resting only the EOYT’s now to disect….Hey, I am wondering if I should go to London to see Boks v Saracens, WRS being boring and won’t come with me tho! 4man has stepped up to the plate and may go with me!
29 Oct 2009, 20:59 pm
#113 sharks_lover: very certain SL….mate spoke to me like its done…and he has never been wrong yet…
29 Oct 2009, 20:59 pm
#112 grant10: i spoke to th a little earlier and he too was telling me ludick and alberts are a done deal
its a matter official press releases still
butch was enquireing about comming back to the sharks , not sure with his latest injury though
he still has 8 months to go before he can play again
29 Oct 2009, 21:00 pm
#110 sharks_lover: Must be great being the ‘Head Hunter’ for rugby players….I would love that job!!
29 Oct 2009, 21:00 pm
#116 carol: 22 players for that game announced sat…wait till then and then decide?
29 Oct 2009, 21:01 pm
#116 carol:
The Bok /Saracens match will be a great game, mostly 2nd stringers but will be worth the trip , you should go !!
29 Oct 2009, 21:01 pm
#118 sharks_lover: Butch has not played for Bath yet this season has he?
29 Oct 2009, 21:02 pm
#118 sharks_lover: Butch is ready January already….i reckon he will go to Lions….watch this space
29 Oct 2009, 21:03 pm
BJ reckons he is happy to play for any SA province in 2011 as he wants to make the WC squad….a lot of saffas gonna want to come home ….i would love to be an agent now…
29 Oct 2009, 21:06 pm
Been a long day….need a sleep….
Outta here…
Cheers
29 Oct 2009, 21:08 pm
#120 grant10: Good plan, night – regards to Blonde!
29 Oct 2009, 21:09 pm
#121 justrugby: If Saturday is decision day I may just wait and see who may run out!
29 Oct 2009, 21:09 pm
#122 carol: he did play carol and got injured first game back
his knee again
29 Oct 2009, 21:10 pm
#116 Sharksgirl: that can’t be good for ur uncle’s wellbeing…i don’t know if’i'd be brave enough to sentence those fellas…
Are you blogging from a blackberry?
Buffon was also outstanding in the last CL match…You must be happy about all these “reported” developments re the sharks, all you need now is to fire plumtree & get a coach that knows something!
29 Oct 2009, 21:24 pm
#128 sharks_lover: That knee held up quite well last season, shame it sounds a bit knackered now!!
29 Oct 2009, 21:28 pm
#128 sharks_lover: he hasn’t played since May, they were overplaying him to be honest. I read he was keen on returning to Sharks but Bath won’t want to lose him either.
29 Oct 2009, 21:30 pm
If all the reports are true and the sharks get these players , things could be interesting next year
i believe though the sharks still need another star center , or the ones we have to to wake up and regain form
props
smitty
carstens
jannie
beast
cillier
hookers
bissy
burden
and take into account smitty can cover hooker as well
locks
muller
sykes
mostert
hargreaves
albert
loose forwards
deysel
brussow
kanko
alberts
botes
daniel
rhodes
downey
scrummies
pienaar
cockott
mccleod
ross cronje
flyhalves
hernandez
monty
guy cronje
centers
adi
murray
swannepoel
vulindlu
wings
jpp
odwa
jordaan
mvovo
full backs
stefan
ludick
lambie
thats 38 players
take into account smitty can cover hooker and prop
pienaar can cover 9 and 10
lambie full back and wing
vulindlu center and wing
murray center and wing
hernandez , center fullback and flyhalf
recognised kickers in the team
hernandez
pienaar
cockott
lambie
stefan
monty
guy and ross cronje
not sure if ludick kicks for poles too???
29 Oct 2009, 21:38 pm
#130 carol: yeah pity he a very good player
#131 Big Hit: hiyas BH how ru doing mate?? pity they over play him , he a great player
why you never come say hi to us at talk-rugby as well??
pop in now and then mate we enjoy ur input
and i aint asking you to leave here , just like i come say hi to friends here too
29 Oct 2009, 21:41 pm
i wonder if ludick can play 13??? anyone know?
29 Oct 2009, 21:43 pm
#133 sharks_lover: Do you think he is doing his R&R in Bath or back in S.A?
I still want to see him and Luke both run out for Bath, I may have to cover the match for R.T.!! Camera in hand!
29 Oct 2009, 21:46 pm
#135 carol: lol not sure carol
he prolly in pietermarizburg with his folks taking a break
but not sure to be honest
29 Oct 2009, 21:46 pm
butch would only come back to sharks.
his girlfriend is my doctor’s daughter – a hottie of note.
would love to see
ruan,
butch
hernandez
adi
jpp
mvovo
ludick
potent bru
29 Oct 2009, 21:52 pm
charo have you seen my sharks squad??
according to grant its basically a done deal and brussow heading sharks way
eish we will have loose trio’s of note
alberts
deysel
brussow
or
kanko
deysel
brussow
or
alberts
kanko
brussow
weaker teams that we play add other loosies to the mix lol
29 Oct 2009, 21:54 pm
you might laugh at me charo but i wonder if keegan danielo can play 13 ??
he has the speed and power
29 Oct 2009, 21:54 pm
#136 sharks_lover: May have to google Pietermarizburg, have no idea where that is!
You could only take so much of Bath and the West Country if you had a bad knee, I would be outta there too!
#137 charo: Hi Charo, can’t imagine Butch with a ‘plain Jane’….Doctors Daughter, hope she can get his some premier treatment for his knee then!
29 Oct 2009, 21:59 pm
#140 carol: carol pmb is the capital of natal , 90km’s from durban
if you driving to durban from pretoria for example you have to pass through pmb to get to durban
29 Oct 2009, 22:04 pm
#140 carol: i know butuch and his parents personally
his dad mike james played for mariutzburg football club in pmb where i was born and raised too
mike also played soccer for south africa
i was involved in the soccer for many years too
nice people , mike loves his golf now
29 Oct 2009, 22:05 pm
butch
29 Oct 2009, 22:12 pm
#139 sharks_lover:
doubt it – too mental. mind you burden went from centre/wing to hooker
#140 carol: her mom is from paarl(near cpt) i think – also a looker
#142 sharks_lover:
my son was at college with butch (and that chop kp)
29 Oct 2009, 22:20 pm
#144 charo: yeah i know boet i am an old maritzbueg college boy lol
mike and i played club soccer in pmb and played a lot of golf together
he was club golf capt at maritzburg golf club
his brother buddy james worked at natalia with my mom for about 18 years lol
29 Oct 2009, 22:22 pm
#145 sharks_lover:
you probably similar vintage to me then.
about a decade younger than david
and about a decade older than grant and justrugby
29 Oct 2009, 23:30 pm
#141 sharks_lover: You are well connected!!
Is PMB a nice place?
#146 charo: Two decades older than Rangerman, possibly four decades older than Springbok Sarah!! Eeekkkk…
29 Oct 2009, 23:31 pm
Transformation
I was wondering…
Who, of all the S14 franchises in SA, have the best transformation stats?
Not just this year, going back a few.
Answer that, and stay fashionable.
Otherwise, STFU.
29 Oct 2009, 23:33 pm
Come to think of it, just disregard that comment.
The jig is up. Maybe you’ll join us enlightened folks one day.
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