Bulls call time-out on sloppy lineouts
BULLS coach John Mitchell says they have worked hard on their lineout drives and general defence play in preparation for their Super Rugby clash against the Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Australia today.
Of the seven tries they conceded in the 49-35 loss to the Lions at home last weekend‚ four came from lineouts, and Mitchell said they have made some technical adjustments in that area to try and stop the bleeding.
“We have adjusted technically and we feel that we will come back with a good structure against the Reds‚” he said on Thursday from Queensland as they prepared under rainy conditions.
“We fell short due to our own faults and hopefully we will get it right this weekend.
“I said post the Lions defeat that we also need to improve defensively and improve our patience in attacking structures.”
In announcing the team to face the Reds‚ Mitchell confirmed that flyhalf Handrè Pollard would captain the side in the absence of the injured Burger Odendaal (he has not recovered from a rib injury), with Johnny Kotze playing at inside centre.
In other positional changes‚ Springboks fullback Warrick Gelant will make his first start of the season at fullback to replace Diwan Rossouw.
Rossouw has dropped to the bench while Duncan Matthews slots in at left wing.
Nick de Jager makes a return to the number eight spot, with Hanro Liebenberg moving to seven.
The rest of the pack is left unchanged, but Thembelani Bholi drops out of the entire squad and Rossouw covers outside backs on the bench, with Jason Jenkins and Trevor Nyakane named as reserves for the first time.
“The Reds have shown to have strength with their centres and they will target our defence.
“So we are very fortunate that Johnny Kotze is capable‚” he said.
“Trevor is now in the fifth week of his preparation.
“We are satisfied with the growth of his metrics and now he seems on the same page skill-wise and tactically.”
After the Reds match‚ the Bulls move to New Zealand to take on the Chiefs and Crusaders before returning home to host the Stormers.
The teams are:
Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant‚ 14. Travis Ismaiel‚ 13. Jesse Kriel‚
12. Johnny Kotze‚ 11. Duncan Matthews‚ 10. Handrè Pollard (capt)‚ 9. Andre Warner; 8. Nick de Jager‚ 7. Hanro Liebenberg‚
6. Roelof Smit‚ 5. Lood de Jager‚
4. R G Snyman‚ 3. Frans van Wyk‚ 2. Jaco Visagie‚ 1. Pierre Schoeman
Reservs: 16. Adriaan Strauss‚ 17. Lizo Gqoboka‚ 18. Trevor Nyakane‚ 19. Jason Jenkins‚ 20. Marco van Staden‚ 21. Embrose Papier‚ 22. Marnitz Boshoff‚ 23. Divan Rossouw
Reds: 15. Aidan Toua; 14. Filipo Daugunu; 13. Chris FeauaiSautia; 12. Samu Kerevi; 11. Eto Nabuli‚ 10. Jono Lance; 9. James Tuttle; 8. Caleb Timu; 7. Liam Wright; 6. Adam Korczyk; 5. Kane Douglas; 4. Izack Rodda; 3. Taniela Tupou; 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa; 1. James Slipper (capt)
Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi; 17. J P Smith; 18. Sef Fa’agase; 19. Harry Hockings; 20. Angus Scott-Young; 21. Tate McDermott; 22. Hamish Stewart;
23. Duncan Paia’aua —