Bulls vs Waratahs, 2011R16

[Blue]

Bulls – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Rossouw de Klerk, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Dustin Jinka, 21 Francois Brummer, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.

Two changes from last weekend with Danie and Gary coming into the starting 15. Could just be rotation or could suggest that the Bulls will carry it up the midfield all day long (which an idiot could guess anyway). Rossouw was simply sensational when he came on against the Cheetahs. Best game I have seen from him in ages. Really looking much more mobile again.

 

[PaarlBok]

Slangkos to the bench. Hope Danie will build on his performance. Dont think the Tahs will allow them that much space.

 

[inthestands]

HSBC WARATAHS
15. Kurtley Beale (Randwick)
14. Lachie Turner (Eastwood)
13. Tom Carter (Sydney University)
12. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University)
11. Sosene Anesi (Hunters Hill)
10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University)
9. Luke Burgess (Sydney University)
8. Ben Mowen (Randwick)
7. Chris Alcock (Eastwood)
6. Dean Mumm [c] (Sydney University)
5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts)
4. Sitaleki Timani (Southern Districts)
3. Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta)
1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood)
Reserves
16. John Ulugia (Southern Districts)
17. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University)
18. Pat O’Connor (Eastern Suburbs)
19. Dave Dennis (Sydney University)
20. Hugh Perrett (Eastwood)
21. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Atieli Pakalani (Randwick)

 

[Bruce Ross]

Yesterday on another thread, in response to a Jamie Pandaram article suggesting that Berrick might play 10 and Hangers 12, I wrote:

Would it not make more sense to play Hangers at 10 and Berrick at 12? A much stronger defensive structure.

And having done that, would it not make even more sense to tell Berrick that the first time he kicks the ball he'll be hooked? A much stronger attacking structure.

In relation to the first of my suggestions, I am pleased that the Waratahs selectors thought the same way. I suppose it is asking too much to hope that Chris Hickey implements my other suggestion. We have been playing non-kickers at 12 and 13 throughout most of the season, so why not continue the policy?

I would very much like to see how Berrick would handle being constrained to either running or passing. After all, these would have been the only options available to him when he played with the Broncos other than, I suppose, on the fifth tackle.

 

[DPK]

You know what, that's a pretty decent side, considering the injuries. Good to see Hickey packing a 5:2 bench split, they're going to need it.

I think this team can roll the Bulls, if they play it right. For the record, I don't give a shit how they win. Winning against the Bulls at home will be good enough for me.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

Not sure what they're trying to acheive with Mumm at 6 - maybe reaction to Russow at 6, anticipating a lineout game? Douglas is having some defensive (laziness) issues and Mumm has been a bit soft too, so to shuffle them around and remove one of the most consistant back rowers is a bit odd to me. I'd have preferred to see pakalani starting too but them's the breaks

 

[topo]

That is a MASSIVE pack. I suspect that is no coincidence. They are going out to try to smash them.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

big yes, but aren't they a bit...well...Chisolmish?

 

[fatprop]

Mumm at 6, has that ever worked?

 

[inthestands]

A lot of similarities to the team which played the Bulls last year, and they probably should have won that match. Kurtley was on the bench and Mumm was suspended. Horne also on the bench (first match back, I think)

2010 Super 14 – Round 3
15 Sosene Anesi (TBA), 14 Lachie Turner (Eastwood), 13 Tom Carter (Sydney University), 12 Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), 11 Drew Mitchell (Balmain), 10 Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), 9 Luke Burgess (Sydney University), 8 Wycliff Palu (Manly), 7 Phil Waugh [c] (Sydney University), 6 Ben Mowen (Randwick), 5 Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), 4 Dave Dennis (Sydney University), 3 Al Baxter (Northern Suburbs), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), 1 Benn Robinson (Eastwood). Reserves 16 Damien Fitzpatrick (Eastwood), 17 Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 18 Will Caldwell (Sydney University), 19 Locky McCaffrey (Eastwood), 20 Josh Holmes (Warringah), 21 Kurtley Beale (Northern Suburbs), 22 Rob Horne (Southern Districts).

 

[Ash]

It's a risk not taking another back on the bench I think, as Barnes is unlikely to last the game. But the Tahs need this win, and agree the 5/2 split is probably the best chance of that and to hope nothing goes with two members of the backline, especially as they would be digging around the bottom of the barrel for the next back replacement.

I agree with Bruce Ross re. Barnes' kicking. Whenever something isn't perfect, or goes wrong early/middle/late/breakfast/at any time in his life Barnes wants to drop deep into the pocket, and kick. So many times in his career he has kicked away overlaps, and it's frustrating. Nothing wrong with kicking, if you do it at the right time and decently enough. But Barnes just seems to sometimes fall into the mentality that any time he has the ball is the right time to kick. The other issue is Barnes standing too deep - as the game progresses, Barnes seems to stand deeper and deeper. Not that he should be shallow at all, but 10m+ behind the advantage line is generally too deep for a flyhalf unless you're running deep second man plays to get around an umbrella/rush defence - and the Tahs don't do this. The Tahs are a direct team who utilise mainly short passes (they have looked best when forwards are popping short balls to each other into the second and third channels), so by standing deep Barnes is just going to place more pressure on getting back to the advantage line.

 

[Hawko]

Last week J P Petersen scored 1 try, had 8 runs, 8 tackle busts, 3 line breaks and made 1 tackle. This indicates to me that:

1. Petersen had a field day running.
2. Petersen didn't have to do much tackling of his opposing winger.

His direct opponent was "drumroll" Sosene Anesi. Ask yourself the question: "Why was it Tom Carter who was running his guts out chasing Petersen?"

Conservative selection decision - drop Pakalani and keep Anesi. Although Pakalani spilled the ball trying to score, not once did Anesi even come close to putting himself in a position to score.

Either Bowen, as backline coach, has no input into decisions or he rates people not trying as better than someone having a go.

 

[Hawko]

That is a MASSIVE pack. I suspect that is no coincidence. They are going out to try to smash them.

With that much grunt the scrums might be quite interesting. The Bulls scrum hasn't been marvellous this year.

 

[inthestands]

I make it that the Bulls pack is in at 896kg and the Tahs at 911kg. Front rows are 342kg (NSW) to 340kg (Bulls).

Interesting that to bring in Rossouw they got rid of Potgeiter. Would have been good to see Spies, Potgeiter and Rossouw all on at the same time with Stegman (only 101kg) coming on 2nd half...

 

[Blue]

I make it that the Bulls pack is in at 896kg and the Tahs at 911kg. Front rows are 342kg (NSW) to 340kg (Bulls).

Interesting that to bring in Rossouw they got rid of Potgeiter. Would have been good to see Spies, Potgeiter and Rossouw all on at the same time with Stegman (only 101kg) coming on 2nd half...

Stegman is a specialist openside. Has been very good in the lat few rounds. Personally I would have dropped Spies who is a big pussy, with Rossouw playing at 8.

 

[PaarlBok]

Lineouts will be cricial in this match. Tahs were great against the Sharks in this department but the Brutes are the real challenge in this department. Danie give them ven more options.

 

[tranquility]

You're completely wrong. It will be a high scoring affair.

No-one is wrong the game hasn't happened yet.

 

[tranquility]

13. Tom Carter

 

[Blue]

I imagine that this will be a relatively high scoring affair. The Tahs won't want an arm wrestle.

What do you guys think? I reckon we'll see you guys attack the outside channels.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

I hope so. The inner cynic says hickey picked 2 flyhalves and 3 locks to try and pin the bulls in their quarter.