Resurgent Bulls not taking Rebels for granted

Ken Borland

The resurgent Bulls will face a stiffer test this weekend from the Rebels attack, which has the precision and variation lacked by the Sharks, when they meet in their Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld today.

While not detracting from the excellent Bulls defensive display last weekend in Durban, the Sharks at times lacked the attacking plan to really trouble them and the three-and-a-half tries per game they have scored is well short of the four-and-a-half per game the Rebels have averaged.

“The Rebels pose different threats, they are a good side with the ability to attack well and they really look to exploit their opportunities. They are the second top try-scorers in the competition which shows they are innovative from first-phase and they have some very strong ball-carriers,” Bulls coach John Mitchell said.

“You have to commend them for taking risks to try and win and even without Will Genia they will come with the same structure.”

Rebels No 8 Amanaki Mafi has had a dramatic effect when carrying the ball this season and, according to Opta Sports stats, he has made the second most metres in the competition and the most by any forward. Typically, Mitchell was confident, however, that the Bulls have a plan in place to contain his threat, much as they did last weekend with Andre Esterhuizen and Jean-Luc du Preez.

“Mafi carries in certain areas and we have got a clear picture of that. Now it’s just a matter of getting our shoulders on him but he is an exceptional carrier. But the Sharks also had big carriers and offloaders and anyone saying our loose forwards lack physicality better not meet them in a dark alleyway,” Mitchell joked.

The Rebels will be equally focused on dealing with the flamboyant attacking skills of Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant (left) after his hat-trick last weekend and Mitchell is hopeful his team will be even more of a threat today.

“We like it at home, it’s a good, fast surface. The grass was a bit long for our liking in Durban. But we earned the right to play that way, keeping our feet on the ground and making sure everyone knows their role. We will come short if there’s any complacency,” Mitchell said.

Kick-off: 3.05pm