Waratahs downed by Bulls in Pretoria
By AAP, 28 Feb 2010 AAP is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Bulls, NSW Waratahs, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
The Waratahs have gone down 48-38 to the Bulls in a thrilling Super 14 rugby match in Pretoria.
New South Wales scored the first 17 points and led 26-10 in the first half.
The defending champion Bulls scored six tries to four and are top of the ladder after starting their title defence with three bonus point wins.
The Waratahs, who have lost successive matches in South Africa following an opening round win over Queensland.
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- Explore:
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Sam Taulelei said | February 28th 2010 @ 5:54am | Report comment
Wow what a great game, easily the pick of the round. Tahs surprised me and I’m sure many of their fans who would have been delighted they actually ran the ball, scored tries and can do it well. Bulls looked shellshocked and at home it’s almost a guaranteed win for them so they did well to comeback when I was thinking the mother of all upsets.
Working Class Rugger said | February 28th 2010 @ 6:22am | Report comment
Sam
Although I’m disappointed with the loss I have to say with the quality of that match I’m not too gutted. Actually considering the game was in Pretoria and the Tahs put on 38 ( enough to beat nearly every other team) was great to watch. It’s been tough watching the Tahs win ugly and even harder watching them lose that way. Giving it a go and at least giving the Bulls who seem to once again be the benchmark a good scare for some time I’ll cop that loss.
matt said | February 28th 2010 @ 6:35am | Report comment
Well the days of the forward oriented dour Bulls have gone. What a team. This is the kind of skillful rugby that will bring fans back to the game.
Ora said | February 28th 2010 @ 8:12am | Report comment
This was another high scoring affair with 86 points in total I’m sure it won’t be long until the cynics are out again.
The Bulls are an excellent team and it takes a lot of grind and composure to come back from a 17 zip defecit and still manage to win.
I couldn’t believe it I found myself cheering for the Waratahs, when it comes to teams I do not like in the S14 the Bulls would be right up there. They’re like the Saffa version of the Crusadersa and every now and then need to be brought down a peg or two
I can’t say the bulls have done everything themselves they have had some dubious calls help them out along the way especially in the Brumbies match a week ago. However what makes this team special is they play to the ref and milk it for all it’s worth a smart team. The Waratahs showed how good they can be but also how awful they could be by throwing away a healthy lead. It was a big improvement on last week but fact remains they still lost. Lachie Turner had a great game, if only he got the ball more often. The Tahs have exciting backs and need to use them a lot more
stillmissit said | February 28th 2010 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Great game and Burgess was fantastic outplaying the best half in the world. Every player on the pitch put so much into that game and it was a credit to S14 rugby in how hard and fast it was played.
A 9-3 penalty scoreline didn’t help the Tahs but winning under Jonkers is never easy, there was an obvious knock on that was missed by the touchie right in front of his nose and the Bulls ran across field and scored in the corner. Still all in all one of the best Waratahs games I have seen in the last 2 seasons. The Bulls were amazing how they ground there way back into the game and took it.
Carter showed that, despite his support here on the roar, he is just not quick enough for the game and missed two critical tackles by being late in the contact. Horne must start next game. Mitchell didn’t do enough work and was shown up badly by Turner who played very well. The forwards led by Palu and Waugh were outstanding.
This game is definitely a keeper for all Waratahs supporters out there and feeling the cold.
Dandy said | March 1st 2010 @ 8:02am | Report comment
I agree carter was exposed at 13, time for a bench spot. He can tackle very front on but against angle and footwork he is to slow.
Burgess did some great things during the game, but his passing was shocking again. How many times did he throw looping overhead passes. For me, a half-back as a bare minimum must be able to pass properly and the rest of his game is the difference between a normal and great half backs. Burgess has great skills around the park but his passing is under 10 standard.
Peter said | February 28th 2010 @ 8:45am | Report comment
It might have been entertaining but they still lost. Only one Australian team winning this weekend. Depressingly familiar feel to the season!!!!! Phil Waugh doesn’t like the new rules because they take away the contest at the breakdown, but he and his fellow forwards are incapable of competing under any interpretation of the laws.
Ian Jones and Mexted are probably right in their predication that no Australian team will be in the top six – I am sick and tired of watching losers so I have decided to switch off already!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Onceinawhile said | February 28th 2010 @ 10:02am | Report comment
In the first half the Waratahs showed exactly how to contest the breakdown under the new interpretations, good clean counter rucking, it takes the ref out the ruck contest, unless he really want’s to be involved. It was a good performance for my mind from both teams, the first half felt like the Tahs finally resorted to Plan A, Plan B & C has’nt worked for the past season and a bit so it was a logical decision! All of sudden Burgess and his crabbing seemed to work, having runners at pace and flat delivery is what’s been missing.
CraigB said | February 28th 2010 @ 9:10am | Report comment
is it just me or do the players look lik ethey are enjoying themselves more? If so is that not a ringing endorsement of these new law applications?
Nashi said | February 28th 2010 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Craig, burgess said as much in the post match interview. I agree, if the players enjoy it there must be something going right!
Campbell Watts said | March 2nd 2010 @ 11:12pm | Report comment
I didn’t see P Waugh smiling too much – grumpy shit that he is!
In all the niggle and causing most of it – poor form from the captain I feel
Nashi said | February 28th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Great game! Well done Tahs, no shame in that loss. The backs finally played with some intent. The territory, Bulls pack and altitude showed in the end. At the death the game could actually have gone either way.
I thought we lost a lot when TPN went off, hope his injury is not serious, Fitzpatrick was OK, but TPN offers so much more power. Our scrum looked dominant at times, nullified by the strength of the Bulls rolling maul. Energy sapping stuff. I could not understand why a couple of penalties did not eventuate from scrum dominance, the Bulls tight head clearly touching the ground several times without penalty. I also was perplexed with Jonkers scrum sets. His pause seemed more like freeze frame. This certainly didn’t seem to help the rhythm on engagement.
The backs looked to run at every opportunity and while Hangers didn’t shine he was steady allowing the outside backs plenty of ball. I think Horne should come back to start for Carter, otherwise no changes required. Burgess played really well. The game will do his confidence no harm at all.
Excellent game. It is amazing how different the games can be under the same rules. Compared to Brumbies/Stormers this was a real spectacle.
Keep playing like that and the crowds will come back to the SFS.
Lee said | February 28th 2010 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Brumbies stormers was still entertainig despite the lack of tries. I thought it was a great advertisement for rugby, and I am a nuetral so no bias
Nashi said | February 28th 2010 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
Lee, don’t get me wrong, I certainly enjoyed the Brums/Stormers, I would still argue that watching backs from either side breaking down an otherwise strong defence through deft passes, good hands or out right speed offers more as a spectacle than an defence dominated game decided by an intercept in the last minutes. As an advertisement I know which one I’d be putting on the highlights reel if I was the SANZAR PR man.
Lee said | February 28th 2010 @ 6:49pm | Report comment
I would hardly call the bulls or waratahs defenses ‘strong’ but I get what you are saying.
To me somewhere inbetween the waratahs bulls and stormers brumbies games would be the best advertise, but the 2 games together offer the best examples of rugby I think; 1 a game of attacking brilliance the other a game where defense was great and mistakes are punished.
Unrelated though morne steyn seems to be developing into a very good attacking fly half with the boot to match, that last little kick through was brilliant.
Nashi said | February 28th 2010 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
Fair point, somewhere in the middle lies the perfect game.
Agree about Steyne, I had always pegged him as a bit one dimensional. I thought it was fantastic that Matfield kept going for the try rather than relying on Steyne’s undoubted prowess with the boot. The Bulls have certainly moved on from Habana’s kick chase of last year. Well done them!
Lee said | March 1st 2010 @ 5:15am | Report comment
And Habana seems to be really enjoying the Stormers(where they actually pass him the ball) – he is popping up everywhere, he must have the highest work rate of any winger in the competition.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | February 28th 2010 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Yes Nashi the ref (Jonker) certainly seemed to be having trouble with 4 simple words. He even apologised at one stage admitting that he stuffed-up. Maybe it’s time to introduce a metronome?
Over all I like the new interpretations. It’s done a great job with quicker ball. Yes there are times when the defender looks hard done by but what’s the alternative? Better of 2 evils I’d say.
Nashi said | February 28th 2010 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
Blinky, why can’t they say, crouch hippopotamus, touch hippopotamus, pause hippopotamus, engage hippopotamus. Its not rocket surgery and I’d love to see a front row or two rolling about on the deck in uncontrollable giggles.
Seriously, who was the genius who decided “engage” was a good word to use. Surely a better word would have a strong first syllable, like “pack”. Maybe the refs are a bunch of closet Trekkie fans…… Warp factor 5 Mr Sulu!
I agree with your comments on the new interpretation. I am keeping my fingers crossed that there is still turnover ball to be had and defences don’t just lineup and block all the running room. It hasn’t happened yet because counter rucking seems to offer some opportunity. Let’s see how it lasts.
Who Needs Melon said | February 28th 2010 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Maybe some of them would be insulted. I mean they don’t ALL look like hippos.
Pete said | February 28th 2010 @ 8:24pm | Report comment
too funny!!!! Love it!
Rockin Rod said | February 28th 2010 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
Any new on TPN, if he is out will Frier be back or they have had Luke Holnmes playing NSW A
Dave said | February 28th 2010 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Great effort by the Tahs. Some of the best rugby they have produced in years, and it was only the fact that they came up against a red hot Bulls side at home that saw them fall just short.
Speaking of the Bulls – they surely have to be the most improved team in super rugby. They were dire in the early years. All forward work and penalty kicks. They could not score a try to save their lives and routinely finished bottom of the table.
They are now s14 champions and play with such a great attitude. For me, when they were down 16 points and decided to go for the lineout – it really said it all. They have the best kicker in the world – but instead back themselves to score tries. It demoralises the opposition, and they also know full well that winning with bonus points is the only way to secure a home final and win the competition (please take note Brumbies).
For my mind, they have the confidence and attitude that makes rugby such a great sport when played in such a spirit. Well done to them and good on the Tahs for stepping up too.
Brumbies – no excuses next week. Its your turn to start playing rugby!
Chris said | February 28th 2010 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
Dave is it just me or did the Brumbies win and the Tahs lose? No excuses indeed.
Dave said | February 28th 2010 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Chris,
We were lucky to win. An intercept try at the death by Smith won the match, helped of course by a missed conversion by the stormers. I’ll take it, but It was hardly convincing.. A draw would have been the fair result.
The tahs played with purpose. Like the Reds they are not my team, but I watch all of the Australian sides and each has my support against any opponent bar the Brumbies.
I will certainly give credit where credit is due. The tahs should be praised for how they performed.
If the Brumbies dont start scoring bonus point wins at home, they will miss the semi’s once again. Thats apparent this season more than ever. The Bulls have won just 1 more game than the Brumbies – but they sit on 15 points compared to the Brumbies who have 8 points. That gap will continue to grow unless they start start scoring tries.
3 away games early is hard, and 2 wins a solid start – dont get me wrong. Now they are back at fortress Canberra and its time to really turn it on. Hence – no excuses.
Chris said | February 28th 2010 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Sorry Dave – I thought you were a Tahs fan.
You are right – the Brumbies need to start picking up some 4 try bonus points. They probably should have got one against the Force but there is no shame in not getting near one in Cape Town. That said they did manage three tries in two of their games so far…
Fully expect the Brumbies to win their next two games easily – if they can’t score some serious points against the Lions then something is wrong. Hope Friend realises that next week is a golden opportunity to make some massive inroads to their points differential. Sharks game will be closer – but again they will probably score four tries (and, as you say, will need to if they are to be pushing for a Top 2 finish).
Dave said | February 28th 2010 @ 5:26pm | Report comment
Chris,
I agree that this Lions match will be very telling. First game at home after grafting a couple of away wins.
We really need to cash in this week against a very weak lions side. Im very interested to see if we have the right players to play the attacking rugby that we all hope is possible. There will not be an easier target than the Lions in Canberra.
Justin said | March 1st 2010 @ 9:17am | Report comment
I dont think you will see many teams picking up 5 points in SA against the Stormers or Bulls. An 8 point start with 3 away matches is a terrific start.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | February 28th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Well I never!
What an excellent game of footy. Well played Tahs. Better played Bulls. Hats off to both teams.
To be frank, based on what I’d seen thus far from the Tahs, I gave us zero chance of pulling off a win in the high velt. And then they went and did that. Excellent!
The boys were great. Played at pace. Hits the rucks hard. Backed their mates. Plenty of lovely off loads ala the Reds (Burgess to Mowen as good as I’ve seen). Defence solid in the forwards & tight engagements. Lots to praise. Well done.
Altitude – I was happy that at the post match Phil Waugh dismissed the altitude as an excuse. Having said that I bet the lungs were exploding.
Use of the bench was much better & I thought Horne was amazingly strong for such a small chap. Needs to start at 13 next time.
I’ve got to get back to that tape to see why Barnes was pinged when we looked to be coming back in the final 10 minutes. What ever it was, that changed things from then on and the Bulls just kept playing it down our end.
Thanks to both teams for a very entertaining game of Rugby.