Bulls leave it late but run over Brumbies
By AAP, 21 Feb 2010 AAP is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- ACT Brumbies, Bulls, Morne Steyn, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
Springbok five-eighth Morne Steyn piled up 35 points as the Bulls produced an overpowering second half display to beat the Brumbies 50-32 in their Super 14 rugby match in Pretoria.
The Bulls scored five tries to three and hit back after trailing 27-20 early in the second half early Sunday, Australian time.
The defending champion Bulls then piled on 30 unanswered points to reach the half century for the second straight week and cement top spot with another bonus point win.
Tries in a four-minute period to winger Gerhard van den Heever and centre Wynand Olivier mid-way through the second half swung the match decisively.
The home team enjoyed more possession, but Brumbies coach Andy Friend would have derived consolation from some spirited play by his team and the performances of debutants Rocky Elsom and Matt Giteau.
Playing his first game after missing the opening round and two trials, Elsom looked hungry for action, producing a series of tackle-busting runs.
He scored one of the Brumbies’ two first-half tries, brushing off and burrowing through and under three attempted tacklers and then set up a try for fellow flanker George Smith after picking off a loose pass and charging up the field.
The Brumbies led 15-6 after veteran centre Stirling Mortlock converted both tries.
However, the Bulls, who have now won their past 12 home games, roared back with two tries of their own to lead 20-18.
Halfback Fourie du Preez took advantage of an unintentional block by referee Mark Lawrence on Brumbies prop Ben Alexander to score the first and five-eighth Morne Steyn got the second after an impressive multi-phase buildup.
Mortlock kicked a penalty three minutes out from the break to give the Brumbies a 21-20 halftime lead, though Steyn was just off target with a late field goal attempt.
Giteau increased the lead to 24-20 with a 47-metre field goal 75 seconds into the second half, after another purposeful ball carry from Elsom.
A Mortlock penalty in the 51st minute extended the lead to seven, but Steyn answered in kind to pull the gap back to four.
Van den Heever gave the Bulls the lead when he toed ahead and regathered a loose ball from a lineout which cruelly bounced away from Giteau.
Olivier quickly added another try and Steyn also crossed as the Bulls surged out of sight before winger Pat McCabe posted a late five-pointer for the Brumbies.
“I said before the game that our discipline was going to be crucial and we gave away too many penalties again, so we’ve only got ourselves to blame,” Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles said in his post-match interview.
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ohtani's jacket said | February 21st 2010 @ 9:41am | Report comment
Bulls look like the team to beat at this stage, which means the Springboks will be strong this year as well.
Wavell Wakefield said | February 22nd 2010 @ 5:29am | Report comment
I’m not sure how you come to that conclusion, OJ? The best Bulls players are normally the best performing players for the Springboks, that’s nothing new. I thought the problem was a) the SA coaching panel, b) a lack of depth in key positions, and c) an absence of tactical flexibility.
pothale said | February 21st 2010 @ 9:50am | Report comment
50 points on a top rated Australian team? – you’ve got to be kidding.
matt said | February 21st 2010 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
It shows that the new breakdown laws are taking some getting used to. At the moment the team on offence can keep the ball as long as they want. No team has a well developed a defensive strategy for getting that second player there to make the steal. Weight of possession equals points, and lots of them.
I thought the Brumbies were quite good for half the match, but they killed themselves with penalties.
Also, an early candidate for worst ref decision in giving the Bulls a try when he provided the interference.
mitzter said | February 21st 2010 @ 4:36pm | Report comment
saw this try from ref interference on Sports tonight
I’d like to point out that as the law is worded currently this decision is absolutely CORRECT! The referee ONLY stops play when he has interfered with the ball carrier or the ball NOT the defence.
Even looser said | February 21st 2010 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
I was blown away when Lawrence got in the way or should I say blocked the defender, and allowed play to continue that resulted in a try. I’m also amazed that so little has been said about it thus far. Are refs some how untouchable?
Whilst I like the new interpretations in that it penalises so called ‘lazy’ defenders (Something needed to be done), I can’t help but wonder if the pendulum has swung too far in favour of the attacking team with refs now excessively favouring the attacking team rather than looking for defenders who do actually release and then contest the ball fairly. Remembering that Rugby is supposed to be about a fair contest.
mitzter said | February 21st 2010 @ 4:37pm | Report comment
see above comment. refs only stop play for interfering with the ball or ball carrier NOT the defence
Even looser said | February 21st 2010 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
Interesting!
Dave said | February 21st 2010 @ 6:22pm | Report comment
Not at all impressed by the Brumbies. The Bulls were clearly the superior side, and even had the confidence of the great Brumbies teams of old. Who would have imagined 8 years ago the Bulls declining penalty kicks at goal and instead opting for touch? In contrast, the Brumbies took the easy 3 point options…
Super Rugby is won by scoring bonus points. The old Brumbies knew this and make the finals 5 straight years in a row. They then abandoned their style of game for the safety first approach and have not appeared since. The Bulls took the opposite approach, and are the best because of it.
The new approach to the breakdown should suit the Brumbies – but it pains me to say as a diehard supporter that the Brumbies are living off a legacy that they no longer deserve. They are no better than NSW with their negative style of play. Look at last nights match. You had Mortlock opposing a youngster who would have been shaking in his boots. The turn of the century side would have had elaborate moves, decoys and long balls being sent straight to Morltock who would target that channel with almost certain success.
Last night instead there was not a single one on one attack at the Bulls midfield. It was the same one out passing and crabbing across field that we have seen for 5 years at the Brumbies, and the last 2 seasons at the Wallabies with Giteau running at 10.
We have nobody to play No.12 (the world;s best 12 is playing at 10), we have no wingers, and we have no fullback (AAC I consider a winger or 13), yet this brumbies side is being talked up in comparison with the likes the champion sides with players such as Gregan, Larkham, Roff, Mortlock, Gerarrd, Rathbone, Kafer etc. Its absurd – and I am the biggest Brumbies supporter out there!
Their forwards should be close to the equal of past sides – Elsom ensures that – but the scrum and lineout was terrible…
The first option for the backs is always to kick. The best example was when they secured quick turnover ball inside their 22. AAC had his winger unmarked against an injured bulls player. All he had to do was pass the ball and it it was a straight run for the try line. Instead AAC kicks it into touch. AAC should be told that he will have his foot cut off if he ever kicks the ball away again at Brumbies and Wallabies level!!! The guy glides through defences like Matt Burke used to almsot everytime he runs the ball – yet 9 times out of 10 he kicks the bloody thing – and he CANT KICK!!!
Please for the love of god watch the Reds play!!! Cooper, Ione, Genia, Hynes – all look to attack FIRST, then kick. They play in the spirit that made the Brumbies a great side. The sad fact is that the Brumbies are an establishment side who have lost their core running rugby spirit. Laurie Fisher has much to answer for, and Friend has done nothing to improve the side’s attack credentials.
Learn from the Reds, and look at the history that made Brumbies rugby special and unique.
Brett McKay said | February 21st 2010 @ 7:09pm | Report comment
I’d hate to see a fickle Brumbies supporter then, if Dave is the biggest supporter there is..
Dave said | February 21st 2010 @ 8:21pm | Report comment
I definitely didn’t expect a win – thats tough enough in SA at the best of times. Just hate seeing more of the same that has been served up for the past few seasons…
I dont even mind if the Brumbies lose – they did plenty of that in 98/99 – but they were enjoyable to watch and they won my support over NSW due to their style of play. They had a go which is all you can ask for.
I dont see too much terribly exciting about guys as capable as AAC and Giteau hoisting the ball up time and again.
If I wanted that, I would follow NSW.
Justin said | February 22nd 2010 @ 10:03am | Report comment
Happily disagree with you Dave. I thought the Brumbies were excellent for 60mins, they showed great defence, often with big hits all across the park. They moved the ball pretty well. The game was at altitude so some kicking is understandable although I agree there were times it should have been put through the hands.
I thought Gits actually had a pretty good game, played right on the tackle line always putting the Bulls under pressure to make a decision. Elsom was superb and will get better with some more match fitness. Alexander wasnt great in the scrum but gee his work rate was unreal. He made countless tackles and had plenty of ball carries too.
I thought it was a terrific game and some slightly unusual tries blew the scoreboard out a little. I think the Brumbies (while not of past vintages) will be right in the mix come the end of the season.
ballboy said | February 22nd 2010 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Take your blinkers off Dave – I don’t believe for a second you are a Brumbies supporter. Your probably sitting in a shack somewhere in the mountains off the Great Divide tapping away trying to stir things up.
Your assessment of the game and of their backs is limited at best. They played the best team in the comp at the gardest ground to play in the comp and stuck with them for 60 minutes until a combination of fatigue, ill-discipline and two dodgy refereeing decisions gwhich resulted in two tries got the better of them. Bulls deserved to win and good luck to them. I herad Matfield has to front the judicary – I didn’t see what for. Anyone see it?
Brett McKay said | February 22nd 2010 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Ballboy, it was for a hit on Elsom, but I’m not sure when it was. I do recall a replay of Matfield not so much cleaning Elsom out, but more cleaning him up, so perhaps that’s the one. If it is, it was kind of high, but it didn’t strike me as overly dangerous, rather just another day in the ruck in South Africa..
Justin said | February 22nd 2010 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Thats the one Brett, would be surprise if he got done but he did hit him with a forearm to the face/jaw. Elsom at the time had his forearm on the chest/neck of a bulls player.
AndyS said | February 22nd 2010 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Lucky Victor always has that big “bandage” to protect his forearm….must be the longest running injury in world sport
Dave said | February 22nd 2010 @ 6:23pm | Report comment
No am am a supporter ballboy. They did play some good footy in the first half – some of those tries from turnover ball/broken play were nicely done. Elsom is a also an absolute machine and will no doubt have a huge impact for us provided he stays fit.
They also had things go against them (that tends to happen playing away – esoecially in SA). Getting 50 points put on us is not great though, no matter which way we look at it.
I just hope we really pick things up in the coming games,. Our home matches should give us a good indication on how our attack is coming along.
If we want to win the S14 – we need to do thngs better., because as your correctly point out – to win its likely that you will need to beat the likes of the Bulls in SA.
ballboy said | February 22nd 2010 @ 9:53am | Report comment
thanks BM