Mitchell won’t change Bulls to accommodate Pollard, Paige
PRETORIA: BlueBulls coach John Mitchell has opted not to utilise the services of returning Springboks Handre Pollard and Rudy Paige ahead of their Currie Cup clash against the Sharks in Durban.
The Bok duo were released from the national team upon their return from New Zealand, and Allister Coetzee was hoping they would get some much-needed game time prior to meeting up again for the home leg of the Rugby Championship.
However, Mitchell doesn’t see the value of changing his team to accommodate players who are likely to return to the national team and will in all probability not be available for the remainder of the Currie Cup season.
“They won’t be selected this week for us and we have been very clear about that and they understand that. This is done for our team cohesion and the growth of ourselves is more important at this minute. But they can also still prepare very well for Test week by training with us.”
Pollard last played for the Bulls in Super Rugby before sustaining an ankle injury, while Paige has rarely played since the conclusion of Super Rugby, only making two cameo appearances for the Springboks.
Mitchell was quick to remind his critics that he had done the same leaving out Springboks Butch James and CJ van der Linde while coaching the Lions to their 2011 Currie Cup triumph.
“Going into the final in 2011 I had to leave out Butch, and CJ van der Linde was also going to be out but there was an injury to JC Janse van Rensburg. They were both of the understanding that the team had moved forward hugely and understood they could contribute more coming through the bench.
“It is not too dissimilar to where we are through change. We are just starting to grow as a team and are mindful of making sure that we get continuity and cohesion. It is actually difficult for Test players to just immerse themselves back in and expect to play well. Their intent is great but their rhythm, timing and everything is a new person. We’ve already had too much change as a result of factors that are beyond our control,” Mitchell said.
Even without some of their best and international personnel in the team, Mitchell is confident the Bulls they can break the Sharks eight-match winning run in the domestic game and revive their hopes of being relevant in the business end of the Currie Cup.
“They are the best team in the competition. I thought that way back, and they probably have the most experienced team, a strong forward pack and they deserve to be where they are.
“I really believe we can beat anyone and it is a matter of making sure we earn it through the 80 minutes and make sure we continue getting better in all our processes.”