Blue Bulls give Pumas a hiding
BONUS: CURRIE CUP SEMIFINAL CONTENTION
Ken Borland
The Blue Bulls might not have nailed down that Currie Cup semifinal place just yet, but they have ensured that their opponents will approach them with some trepidation should they make it after they produced a display of champagne rugby to hammer the Pumas 52-32 at Loftus Versfeld last night.
A place in the final four would certainly create some interest given the exciting rugby the Bulls are crafting, but that depends on the match between the Golden Lions and the Free State Cheetahs this afternoon.
Basically, John Mitchell’s team will be hoping the match does not end in a draw with a bonus point, or that the Cheetahs lose but pick up two bonus points.
A bonus point was not something that bothered the Bulls against the Pumas, that was in the bag after 48 minutes, largely due to an inspired five minutes from fullback Warrick Gelant, which led to two tries just before halftime, transforming a 14-13 lead into 26-13 at the break.
Gelant counter-attacked brilliantly off a kick to allow wing Travis Ismaiel to power through for the try and then scored his own try that was the picture of perfection in terms of reading the defence.
The Pumas gifted the Bulls too much territory through their poor receiving of the restarts and too much possession through unforced turnovers, and the home side had the weapons to punish them, with Gelant, Ismaiel and excellent loose forward Tim Agaba, showing the skills he has honed in the Sevens game, to the fore.
The Pumas defence, despite their brawn in the physical exchanges, was also weak, with too many one-on-one tackles missed.
The best try came in the 65th minute as the Bulls reached the 50 mark. Gelant made another half-break and his pass out wide was taken by Agaba, who stormed forward before giving an offload to centre JT Jackson for the try.