‘Bulls must keep on playing without fear’
THERE IS no need for a motivational speech from Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais this week in the build-up to the Absa Currie Cup top-of-the-table clash against the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The Bulls and the Lions have been the standout teams so far in the oldest domestic rugby competition in the world and their unbeaten status sets the stage for an epic Jukskei Derby that will go a long way in enhancing the championship hopes of the winning team.
Marais has urged his youthful side to be fearless in the face of their sternest test this season but also said that the result against the Lions won’t be the beginning or end of their title hopes.
“I’ve told the players that regardless of whether we win or lose, this game is not the alpha or omega,” said Marais yesterday.
“The guys must focus on what we have to do and we are going out there to play for a win. If it doesn’t work out for us then it gives us an opportunity to go look at those areas of weakness and see where we can improve on them. Come the end of Octo- ber, it doesn’t matter how well you have played until then, we have seen teams that should have won the Currie Cup lose in the final. I’ve told the guys that they shouldn’t allow fear to stand in their way because fear can take hostage of what you want to do.
“We must continue to believe in what has made us a good team up until now,” Marais said.
In an effort to help his team overcome any fears that might lie within, Marais has openly given his side the license to be themselves and express their talents.
While playing with freedom has been the overriding theme for this evolving Bulls side since the beginning of the competition and Marais wants them to continue building on the refreshing brand of running rugby and worry less about making mistakes.
He cited last weekend’s n arrow win over the Free State Cheetahs as an example of what happens when his team fails to express themselves.
In defeating the Cheetahs 24-17, they failed to score the four tries required for a bonus point, for the first time this season, which also gave the Lions a one point lead on the log.
“Last week against the Chee- tahs, I was very concerned that we retreated into a box and didn’t want to try things out.
“This week things are different and they must continue to believe. I’ve asked them why is a guy like Warrick Gelant so good – because he does exceptional things that make him good. Why is Jamba Ulengo good, because he is fearless. We must be fearless because if we are not then we might as well have a nice braai on Saturday and give them (Lions) the five points,” he said.
Marais will likely resist making any changes to his starting XV with Springbok centre Jan Serfontein set to be the only change in the starting line-up to start ahead of Burger Odendaal while a decision on injured flyhalf Tian Schoeman’s availability will be made today.