Bulls’ visitors see Red as home team runs riot
THE 15-year win drought at Loftus Versfeld for the Reds continued last night as they were again beaten by the Bulls.
When the Aussies beat the Bulls 29-19 in Pretoria on April 14 2001, loosehead prop Nick Stiles was among the try-scorers for the Bulls.
Last night, however, none of the instructions he sent through from the coaches box — in his new role as interim co-coach — could assist the Queenslanders in securing the long sought-after victory in Pretoria.
The Reds were the first team to get points on the scoreboard when winger Chris FeauaiSautia scored the opening try in the fifth minute.
Unnecessary mistakes and indecision from the Bulls made things difficult for themselves.
The home team could have easily gained the lead by the 16th minute when the halfback pair of Rudy Paige and Francois Brummer displayed some enterprising interplay with the ball switching hands between the two. However, Brummer dropped the ball within metres of the tryline.
This summed up the first half for the Bulls.
After conceding the early try, the Bulls dominated — particularly in the lineouts where the 21-year-old duo of Jason Jenkins and RG Snyman continued to play like men beyond their age.
Another thorn in the Reds’ flesh was Bulls No 8 Arno Botha. The former child star and Bok has been receiving some critical reviews since the start of the season after years of struggling with serious injuries.
It was only in the last eight minutes of the match that the Bulls snatched the lead. Prop Marcel van der Merwe and captain Adriaan Strauss crossed over the tryline for the Bulls’ two first-half tries. It could have been more. As the siren sounded to bring to an end the first 40 minutes, a Reds loose-forward moved away from the rest of the pack to position himself at flyhalf and ultimately slot in an impressive 55-metre drop-goal. No, it was not legendary All Black flanker Zinzan Brooke, but rather Wallaby Liam Gill.
The Bulls enjoyed a 17-8 lead at half time.
The firepower the Bulls ended the first half with was the way they began the last 40 minutes.
While Brummer continued to keep the scoreboard ticking with his boot, two tries by Lappies Labuschagne and the under-rated Travis Ismaiel ensured the Bulls did not relinquish the lead they had attained in the 32nd minute of the game.
However, a lapse in concentration between the two tries resulted in Reds No 13 Samu Kerevi dotting down twice to ensure they stayed in the race.
Replacement No 9 sealed the win for the Bulls with a try 10 minutes from the final whistle.