Bulls vs Waratahs: Super rugby live scores, blog

By The Crowd / Roar Guru

The clash this weekend between the Bulls and Waratahs will be significant in a number of ways.

The Waratahs have had some good wins this season, and yet have struggled to maintain any consistency and even their win this weekend over the Chiefs were one of two halves.

The Waratahs romped away to a 15-0 lead, a drop in intent and intensity by the Tahs saw the Chiefs fight back and it was a late try that secured the win for the Waratahs.

A significant statistic is that the Waratahs haven’t won against the Bulls since 2005, in fact it has been lean years for the Waratahs in South Africa, no wins since 2009.

The Bulls on the other hand is fighting for the top spot in the South African conference, and after some success on their road trip have been building their confidence with a win over the Cheetahs and Kings over the last two weeks.

The catalyst for the Waratahs backline of late and perhaps the form 10 in Australia, has been Bernard Foley, his little snipes and offloads have been putting players such as Rob Horne and Adam Ashley-Cooper into space, and it seems AAC has a new lease on life.

His runs are harder at the line, he hits the line with intent and newcomer Israel Folau has been slowly growing in confidence.

Last weekend has been his best performance yet for the Tahs and who will forget that brilliant cross kick to Folau as he leapt into the air to secure the ball and go into the corner for the try.

The Bulls on the other hand has been slowly building momentum with Jano Vermaak and Morne Steyn controlling matters and the youthfull midfiled of Jan Serfontein and JJ Engelbrecht becoming a rather dangerous pairing in the Bull’s midfield.

They have been doing some powerful running for the Bulls from midfield and a few well timed offlloads have seen both of them turn positive results on the scoring sheet.

There are similarities to these two teams, both are dependent on a strong pack to give them go forward ball, and on occasions their direct running has resulted in some sublime scoring opportunities.

On paper this is an evenly matched team and it will depend on the day which forward pack brings the most intensity.

It could be a dour affair if both teams go for the territorial kicking game, but by the same token if both teams decide to utilise their powerful runners, we could be in for a humdinger.

The battle of the boot will see Morne Steyn and Patrick McKibbin exchange penalty goals.

Hooper’s work rate on defence will be a certainty, Israel Folau will be running it from deep, Statistically Bernard Foley has the most offloads and line breaks of any Australian fly half, and will be seen to be as dangerous as Folau from the back.

Dave Dennis and Juandre Kruger are amongst the leading line out operators this season.

The Bulls will win this if they show intent with ball in hand, kicking to Folau at the back could backfire dramatically if the chase isn’t good.

I give a slight edge to the Bulls, although the win will be important to both teams, the Bulls are marching to the top of the South African conference, and that in itself should be a bigger motivating factor.

The Crowd Says:

2013-04-28T05:14:11+00:00


Gold.

2013-04-28T02:40:16+00:00

Krys

Guest


Morne Steyn won the game for the team by scoring 25 points, including a try. He still isn't where he was in 2009, but seriously... silly comment.

2013-04-27T22:57:42+00:00

Mental

Guest


I agree. The bad outweighs the positive and has done for a long time. Unfortunately incumbuncancy weighs too heavily in the selection process. Moore by a country mile and then the rest. I would pick faingaa as bench hooker as I love his 7 like play around the ruck. He can throw consistently as well.

2013-04-27T20:49:37+00:00

p.Tah

Guest


Careful ThomasCrown that's what I started doing and now I'm hooked. One thing to remember, don't watch a game of rugby union through League eyes, likewise rugby guys shouldn't watch League through Union eyes. If that makes no sense, hopefully it will in time. Good luck. Hopefully the game brings you as much enjoyment as it has me. .... And if you try a live game again, such as the Bledisloe, cheer loud. I do, don't worry about those around you. Rugby in Australia needs the passion.

2013-04-27T19:32:01+00:00

Sandy

Guest


If Pastrana refs the Bulls again next week...I will be raising my right eyebrow.

2013-04-27T17:43:27+00:00

felix

Guest


waratahs are going to be tough to beat at home,kings look better without watson:strange but cheetahs should win though I wish kings can cause an upset

2013-04-27T17:43:07+00:00


Thomas go to the supexv,com website. there is a video page.http://www.superxv.com/video/ You'll be able to find anything and evrythng about super xv on there.

2013-04-27T17:22:47+00:00

Johnno

Guest


exactly, and the tahs also crucially by concedeing that try on the death missed out on a crucial bonus point. So they took zero from the match. If they lost 25-19 they would of got 1 bonus point, could be vital if they are any hope now of making the finals.

2013-04-27T17:21:57+00:00

Worlds biggest

Guest


Thomas, not sure if there is a website that provides a full replay of games. Johnno or anyone else know ? As for the Tahs Lineout, how people could consider TPN starting against the Lions is beyond me.

2013-04-27T17:21:48+00:00

jeznez

Roar Guru


Altitude Tom. The thinner air up there on the high veldt makes kicks go further and gets less oxygen into the lungs. Is always incredibly tough for a visiting team.

2013-04-27T17:19:37+00:00


Cheetahs in for a 90 meter try.

2013-04-27T17:19:27+00:00

jeznez

Roar Guru


Hats off to the Bulls they were deserved winners. Too good in the lineout in particular. For the Tahs while I am to happy withe the errors - I am loving the effort they are putting in, the passion they are howling and the intent with which they are trying to play. As losses go I am still pretty pleased with my team. Hopefully they can fix a couple of their issues and give the Kings a red hot go next week.

2013-04-27T17:19:08+00:00

ThomasCrown

Roar Rookie


That chip over the top by the Halfback replacement was a terrible option considering they needed field position or ball in hand to have a chance at striking back. That bloody Hooker replacemen sealed our fate by that braindead lineout throw. The entire bench( apart from Paddy) were terrible and impacted the game in a negative way so whats the point of bringing them on.

2013-04-27T17:18:04+00:00

A Different Cat.

Guest


To be quite honest, I've dropped TPN from my Lions squad. Far too many cringe worthy plays from the big fellow.

2013-04-27T17:13:35+00:00

ThomasCrown

Roar Rookie


I chimed in and out of the Reds vs brumbies game cause the NRL was playing at the same time but it was edge of the seat stuff at the end. I have already watched abit of the replay of the Tahs Chiefs game which really peaked my interest in s15's cause i always assumed it was a crap comp. Is there a website that have all the replays?

2013-04-27T17:13:23+00:00

Johnno

Guest


embarssing to think in all of NSW not 1 adult hooker can throw straight. My hooker in my school team 15 years ago in the 90's had a better throw than TPN.

2013-04-27T17:12:07+00:00

Johnno

Guest


good news -No jet lag next week, playing a less talented team in the southern kings at sea-level at port elizabeth, and generally more used to south africa Bad news -This match at altitude, and playing with jet lag was energy sapping will take some time to get over mentally and physically epspecially physical Southern kings have passionate fans too, and will target this match as a potential win to beat the tahs at home. A tricky match next wekk kings for mine will just beat a tired tahs. And cheika also lacks a plan B Scrum is good, but lineout, kicking game is atroicous, and in there attack to they don't seem to have a goal It's just randwick running rugby 1980's style, no structure to it. the bulls built up continunity at the rucks better in the 2nd half Jake white and Link seem to have a flow and structure to there game cheika's game is too randiwck 1980's running rugby it's too loose. And very vulnerable to easy turnovers. Tahs bench is hopeless too. And cam crawford and the halfback took some silly options as did Vavavola

2013-04-27T17:09:51+00:00


Well the cheetahs are taking on the Kings in the next few minutes, I suppose you blokes must all be off to bed now?

2013-04-27T17:09:50+00:00

A Different Cat.

Guest


Hooper was really good and so was Folau. I think I'd feel quite confident playing Israel at 14 against the Lions. Robinson is really starting to find form again. Man the Wallabies are going to be quality this year.

2013-04-27T17:08:01+00:00

Tatah

Guest


There must be a hooker, prop, breakaway, winger etc etc in NSW, playing at any level, who can throw the ball straight into a line out. They may well be in the side now for all we know. TPN and Ulugia aren't winning any darts tournaments, they need to do something.

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