Cheetahs look a bit blue
BLUE BULLS COME UP AGAINST SEVERAL OF THEIR FORMER PLAYERS ‘Nine years since we won the Currie Cup. It’s time,’ says Human.
The presence of players such as Rabz Maxwane, William Small-Smith, Tian Schoeman and Rudy Paige in the opposition backline will ensure the Blue Bulls feel like they are playing against a Loftus Versfeld Old Boys XV when they take on the Free State Cheetahs in their Currie Cup opener in Bloemfontein tonight, but it is perhaps the home side’s pack that the visitors will be most interested in.
John Mitchell, the soon-to-beformer Bulls executive of rugby, has already stated that the recruitment and retention of players at Loftus Versfeld leaves much to be desired, so there will clearly be points to prove among the backs on both sides, but that old chestnut of the forwards deciding who wins the game and the backs by how much could well ring true again.
While the Cheetahs boast two Springboks up front in flank Oupa Mohoje and loosehead prop Ox Nche, the rest of their tight five, in particular, has a raw look to it, while the Blue Bulls will bring a pack of close to Super Rugby strength to Bloemfontein.
“It is going to be a huge contest up front, but we know the Cheetahs are preparing for the Pro14 and they play Munster in two weeks’ time, so they will be ready for us.
“We know it’s going to be a big challenge for us but we are not going to stand back for the Free State and most of our pack have good Super Rugby experience,” Blue Bulls coach Pote Human said.
“It’s always difficult in Bloemfontein and I know Franco Smith is a very good coach. We know what’s coming, but we’ve had three weeks of pre-season work and we have some great structures in place. The Currie Cup is all about guys putting their hands up for Super Rugby selection.”
There are only two fixtures this weekend with the Pumas and Griquas kicking off the competition at 5pm at Mbombela Stadium tonight; in fact, the whole tournament has a pared down look with only seven teams participating in a single round of games. While this will make every game important, it will also congest the table, so teams will want to hit the ground running from the outset.
“Everyone will be targeting their home games and I think if you get four wins then you will be in the play-offs. Especially with the young squad we have, it would be huge for us to win the Currie Cup, I was fortunate enough to share the title with Free State before as a coach (in 2006) and I want one on my own now.
“For me the Currie Cup is still the one to win and I am disappointed the tournament is so short. But it is still big for these kids and it is still awesome to play in the final.
“It’s been nine years since the Blue Bulls won the Currie Cup, so it’s time and we have got the talent to win it,” Human said.