We made mistakes, but we’ll get it right – Bulls guru Roux

BULLS “scrum doctor” and former Springbok and Bulls prop Wessel Roux has called for calm amid heavy criticism of the Bulls scrum after their loss against the Stormers last weekend. Roux says there is no need to panic and that the team is working hard at rectifying whatever little problems they encountered last week.

At the same time Roux is not oblivious to the fact that much is expected of the Bulls front row and scrum as a unit, with them possessing one of the best props and hookers in the country. While the criticism of the Bulls scrum after just one performance may be misguided especially with the injuries they have encountered at prop since the pre-season, the coach is also anxious to get reward for the amount of work the players have put in to get the scrums right.

Ahead of last week’s season-opener against the Stormers, the Bulls injury list amongst the props resembled a casualty ward, with Boks Marcel van der Merwe and Dean Greyling injured. They were joined on the list by Hencus van Wyk and Basil Short.

The front-row combination of hooker Adriaan Strauss and props Trevor Nyakane and Werner Kruger also never really got any time together prior to the season commencing.

Then there was the injury to Kruger early in the first half on Saturday.

Roux did not want to make the injuries an excuse and insisted things would turn around soon. “There is no need to panic but at the same time I am not delusional by denying that in the game against the Stormers we struggled at times,” Roux added.

Fixing the Bulls’ problems in the scrums is not just about the three men in the front row, but it includes the effort from their other five teammates in the pack.

Roux says gone are the days when scrumming was just about the props and hooker, and that the entire pack needs to work in unison, from timing to fitness. They also needto have a positive mindset when it comes to working together to get maximum thrust in the scrum.

There will be no better time and game for the Bulls to rectify their ailing scrum than against an All Blackladen Hurricanes side which has a formidable front row including All Black prop Ben Franks and hooker Dane Coles. The Hurricanes have included veteran Ma’a Nonu to partner captain Conrad Smith in the midfield for Friday night’s game at Loftus Versfeld. “The Hurricanes are a quality side and are full of All Blacks. We are expecting a huge battle against them, not just in the scrums but in all facets of play,” Roux said.