‘We’ve achieved nothing yet’
9 Mar 2010
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke says his champion side refuses to buy into the hype surrounding them.
Three wins from three, including a couple of comprehensive ones over some highly rated opposition. A fluent attack and improving defence and match winners across the track – the Bulls look the business.
In addition, they are heavily favoured to beat the Highlanders at Loftus on Saturday, stretching their unbeaten run at the ground to 14 matches. Yet Ludeke maintains perspective.
‘What have we done? We’ve won our home games. With the greatest humility, that is expected from a side who back themselves to contend for the title,’ Ludeke told keo.co.za.
‘We’ve achieved nothing yet. We haven’t toured Australasia, and we are still to play the Highlanders and Hurricanes at home. This tournament has a habit of humbling you if you get ahead of yourself and start believing the hype. We’re guarding against that, and we’re demanding an improved performance every time we step onto the field.’
Ludeke’s charges returned to training on Monday refreshed after a week where most of them were given the complete break. He said the benefits were patent in training, with the players exhibiting a fresh focus and looking sharp in their sessions.
The break also gave Ludeke the opportunity to consolidate his thinking regarding tactics and team selection, and to analyse the Highlanders closely. That analysis has lead him to identify the set phases and breakdown as their primary threats.
‘They’re a very good srcummaging unit and very competitive at the lineout. When those aspects of their game have operated well, they’ve asked big questions of some really good teams,’ he said.
‘They’re also one of the few teams who still contest the breakdown strongly despite the new law interpretations. They’re strong at the tackle point and counter-ruck with force. If they are able to slow the recycle it’ll be difficult for us to get the momentum that’s been at the heart of our success.
‘The guys are on high alert. They know they have to be switched on.’
Ludeke said they were focussed, although not exclusively, on shoring up their defence. They’ve leaked 10 tries in three matches, which is uncharacteristic for a side who have generally been one of the best defensive units over the last four years.
The Highlanders have punished teams who have had lapses in concentration or flat periods, and Ludeke was acutely aware of their penchant for the sucker punch.
‘It needs to be an accurate 80 minute performance on defence for us. We’ve probably let ourselves down slightly in that area and we can’t afford to rely on our attack to get us out of trouble,’ he said. ‘The best teams make themselves incredibly hard to score against and that’s what we are aspiring to.’
Ludeke has a selection conundrum in the back row with the return of No 8 Pierre Spies from injury. It is likely that he will thrust the hard running Springbok back into the fray immediately, but also has the option of playing Dewald Potgieter or Danie Rossouw there.
The combination of Rossouw (No 8), Pedrie Wannenberg (blindside flank) and Derick Kuun, who started against the Waratahs, looked cumbersome and unbalanced, and Ludeke should opt to reunite the regular trio of Spies, Potgieter and Deon Stegmann.
Outside of the back row reshuffle, there is unlikely to be any changes to the starting line-up who fronted the Tahs a fortnight ago.
By Ryan Vrede
225 Comments
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9 Mar 2010, 11:22 am
@Eminem:
Now that was really a good post.
9 Mar 2010, 11:24 am
@Richie_7: 95
Ya, or those who get that glazed-over look in their eyes when they start singing “Die blou bul eet nie van die vloer af nie!”
9 Mar 2010, 11:24 am
@Puma: Remember the Stormers loosing the close games last year. They could have gone either way. The same happening with the Sharks this year. Loosing instead of winning them. That is sport.
9 Mar 2010, 11:24 am
@Richie_7:
Dude, Francois Hougaard is from the Western Cape.
We raise them well down here!!!
9 Mar 2010, 11:25 am
@Bill Reyts: Plenty going on with the Dup brothers Bill. Heard the Aussie commentators on Saturday saying that the Dup brothers might be playing for the Rebels next year.
Now also read that JdP would wants to carry on with his (Dr career) in Australia. So think that is where they will go, not because they want to play rugby there, but more so that they want to go and live in Australia. They had tried before to play for the Force but could not as there was permit problem. Now with the Rebels they are allowed 10 players from overseas.
We will no doubt see many more saffas in that side next year.
9 Mar 2010, 11:25 am
@Bill Reyts: Thanks. Thats my chief complaint about South African rugby at the moment.
9 Mar 2010, 11:26 am
@wpw: Pity you can’t keep them then, aye?
9 Mar 2010, 11:26 am
@wpw: I thought you were singing a song there for a minute – but get the point.
9 Mar 2010, 11:27 am
@Puma: 98
Hang tight there buddy… The Newlands faithful have had to weather some pretty sh!tty storms in recent times, but things are finally starting to look up. All recessions come to an end. It’s cyclical
(Unless you’re really k@k!)
9 Mar 2010, 11:28 am
Yes what the bulls really need is a third rate white wannabe rapper in a velour tracksuit..
Sorted
9 Mar 2010, 11:29 am
@Eminem: That ‘liefling’ thing just aint rugby Eminem. You should try writing a more upbeat song for them. You sure have the talent.
9 Mar 2010, 11:29 am
you may raise them well in the fairest cape, but we sure teach them a thing or two about rugby hey?
9 Mar 2010, 11:29 am
@Bill Reyts: For sure Bill. Stormers lost some very close games that could have gone either way last year. This year Sharks have lost 3 games that could have been theirs too but went the other way. Makes a huge difference.
Don’t think this team will lose all their games. We will pick up some wins and hope we build next year with some of the exciting youngsters too.
9 Mar 2010, 11:30 am
@gunther: Snap!
9 Mar 2010, 11:31 am
@4thWiseMan: If my Stormers will win as many as The Bulls, then I would also get that glazed look
9 Mar 2010, 11:31 am
@Puma: They will beat the Brumbies Puma and do all SA teams a huge favour.
9 Mar 2010, 11:32 am
Yes what the bulls really need is a third rate white wannabe rapper in a velour tracksuit..
Sorted.,,
9 Mar 2010, 11:33 am
@gunther: You making your point twice I read. Got it.
9 Mar 2010, 11:33 am
@Gertjie die Brandweer Ertjie: You rage on about Stormers fans supporting who ever plays the Bulls…. and as per the responses from Stormers fans on this thread so far, its very easy to see you are talking garbage.
I am deeply loyal to the boys in blue down here, but believe me two of my fondest rugby memories are the 98 zip drilling you lot dished out to the Reds and last years final demolition of that scourge from Waikato.
Now, go across to ol’ GBS’s site and pose the question.. “Who wants the Stormers to get stuffed by the Canes this weekend??”. Then sit back and watch the response…
9 Mar 2010, 11:34 am
Oops
Gremlin
9 Mar 2010, 11:35 am
@4thWiseMan: Stormers were never bad last year mate, lost some very tight games had they won them could have been in a semi.
Now that they are our 2nd best side this year, rooting for Stormers to get to that semi this year. REALLY want to see two saffa teams there. Stormers looking the business playing some good rugby.
Could have won that game against the Brumbies too. Pity about the kick that never went over in the end, but pleased you guys picked up the bonus point last weekend. Those bonus points help towards the end of the tourney.
Good luck against the Canes. Canes will up there game but really cant see them beating this Stormer side this weekend. Going to be close. I say Stormers by 5 or 7.
They look a happy band of brothers too which makes for a confident side too. Good luck to them for the rest of the tourney. I am supporting them the whole way.
My Sharks hope they can pick up some wins. Feeling for the players. They must feel really bad.
Thanks for your support. Much appreciated.
9 Mar 2010, 11:35 am
@gunther: Vanilla Ice would be the real deal…
9 Mar 2010, 11:37 am
@JL1: 113
Surely you mean “our” Stormers
Fair enough.
9 Mar 2010, 11:40 am
@Bod: BOD, Not sure if you correct there or picking you up wrong. I blog there and GBS and all the Bulls supporters are rooting for the Stormers to beat the Canes. Read it this morning. GBS saying go Stormers beat the Canes. They all support the Stormers there.
9 Mar 2010, 11:40 am
I wasnt around here yesterday, so I wonder whether this was discussed at all.
I have never come so close as to throwing a brick through my TV set as I was on Saturday listening to my mate Joel commentate on the Cheetahs game. I am sure he spent the night in uncontrollable spasms of tears after another loss to our NZ brothers.
The ultimate being.. “That WASNT a spear tackle, that WASNT a spear tackle”…. then dead silence after the yellow card came out for the blatent spear tackle.
You just godda love the man…
9 Mar 2010, 11:40 am
@4thWiseMan: #100 i love all these “glory hunters” that want to be associated with the saffa winning franchise, kind of reminds one of manchester united. The strange thing about this whole saffa camaraderie is that when the blue bulls are doing k@k, non of their fans are jumping around cheering the stormers or sharks on, never seen it, don’t think i ever will.
Take Tacitus for instance, comb this whole blog and find a post where is jubilant about the stormers supposed good form. Enough said.
9 Mar 2010, 11:41 am
@Bill Reyts: I hope so Bill, as Brumbies could make the semi. Also hoping we beat the Canes in NZ. That would help the two top saffa sides too.
9 Mar 2010, 11:42 am
@Puma: 119
Yeah, it was a classic case of “close but no cigar”, and even more so in the CC, barring one high tackle…
But so far, I am a happy Stormers fan in 2010.
9 Mar 2010, 11:42 am
@Puma: Its the inner soul that tells the real truth…
9 Mar 2010, 11:42 am
@Bod: Vanilla ice would be gunthers man. Or that guy from Die Antwoord.
9 Mar 2010, 11:46 am
@Bod: Stransky have to admit is one of our worst commentators. Terrible to listen too. Also Bob just the same. Never enjoy listening to either of them.
Now last year a game at the Sharks we had Murray Mexted to commentate. What a breath of fresh air I thought. He was never biased (we were playing a kiwi side) he was honest and has a good sense of humour too. Really enjoy his commentary.
No-one comes close to the great Bill McLaren. He was the best ever.
9 Mar 2010, 11:46 am
@Eminem: 128
Ninja
9 Mar 2010, 11:46 am
Bod
Vanilla Spice would be a rate treat for the loftus faithfull
eish eish baby..
met eish eish baby ..
9 Mar 2010, 11:48 am
@4thWiseMan: That would work
9 Mar 2010, 11:49 am
@4thWiseMan: Shame that in the last min of the CC.
Anyhow you guys must just do it this year. So far Stormers are doing it and really playing well. Many teams will struggle against Stormers this year. Good luck on the away tour too.
9 Mar 2010, 11:50 am
@gunther: 131
When Vanilla Ice was here last year, he only had one concert, for one night only… And where was that? In Pretoria.
I rest my case, your honour.
9 Mar 2010, 11:55 am
@gunther: spot on, spot on.
He was born for the job. Now if only we can prise Steve away and get him down to Newlands…
9 Mar 2010, 11:56 am
@Puma: 133
As an embattled fan, I solely blame Naka-la-kakkie for that incident… Up until this last fixture, I was convinced the Fijian did not want to be here, and therefore displayed a clear lack of interest in the Stormers’ game. If I’m not mistaken, Rassie had to fly over to Fiji to go and fetch the dude last year, cause it seemed like he wasn’t going to come back and honour his contract.
But I’ll begrudgingly admit, he actually looked interested when he played against the ‘landers… I’ll reserve judgement for now.
9 Mar 2010, 11:59 am
Wiseman
I’m from cape town you don’t have to rest anything ..
I am quite sure you are culturally more discerning than the good people of Pretoria
9 Mar 2010, 12:05 pm
@4thWiseMan: OK our Stormers
By the way have we got a song?
9 Mar 2010, 12:07 pm
@4thWiseMan: Good luck for Saturday mate, You have a good team and really don’t need the Fijian too much at all. He cost your side in the CC. I have to admit that.
Okay have some work to do. Catch up later.
Cheers all.
9 Mar 2010, 12:07 pm
@Bod: 98-zip… too many beers too early in the morning, the Reds did score 3 points mate
9 Mar 2010, 12:08 pm
@poppa69: Poppa, just before I go. Never seen all the odi games with NZ and OZ but did see last Wed Nz beat Oz in that one.
So well done to your team there.
How you Poppa? Still goind night shift? Anyhow if you are enjoy your day when it comes.
Need to do some work. Back later.
Cheers Poppa.
9 Mar 2010, 12:10 pm
@Puma: goind = doing
9 Mar 2010, 12:10 pm
bod
Steve’s voice only works at altitude …
Something to do with ultrasonic frequencies
Bats think he is a genius..
9 Mar 2010, 12:10 pm
@Puma: Hey Puma, yep won the first one and lost the 3rd one today.. now 2-1 behind..
dont work too hard Puma…
cheers
9 Mar 2010, 12:10 pm
Well I know the fans don’t get along but I was @ a prime circle concert sunday a week ago,and some bulls players and wives were sitting with stormers players enjoying their fair share of good old cape town vinnie!
9 Mar 2010, 12:11 pm
@JL1: 138
Good question… Do we?
Howzabout “Cooler as Ekke”?
9 Mar 2010, 12:13 pm
@4thWiseMan: Last year it could have been
“You came close, but no cigar”
I like an oldie called “Thunderstruck” should work at Newlands, what do you think
9 Mar 2010, 12:15 pm
@Puma: 139
Thanks mate – gonna be a tough game though, against the ‘canes. Looking forward to the clash.
As for the Fijian… He made a half-decent stand-in for the flu-stricken Aplon, but boy oh boy, how was Aplon’s break at pace when he came on later in the game??!! Why he stopped, I’ll never know. Vark griep.
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