2013 Super Rugby Semi Final - Bulls vs Brumbies

[Woodenspoon]

The real question is: how fit are the Brumbies at the moment?
I hope I'm wrong, but I think they're far away from their best. Their performace level has been steadily lowering in the second half of the season and the last two games were very disappointing. The Lions tour, which many Brumbies took part in, was probably back and nerve-breaking for most of them and I guess it is hard to come back after a week fully fit and ready for the final round of the competition and the superrugby play-offs.
Then they had a long flight to Pretoria and just a few days to get used to a new time zone, to knock into shape and try to beat the Bulls where they haven't lost a game this season. Very difficult, but let's say "go Brumbies".

 

[RoffsChoice]

Fitness is not an issue for the Brumbies, cohesiveness and effectiveness are the things to be worried about.
Bulls scrum and lineout are easy pickings and Joubert will most likely penalise the hell out of them. Good for the Brumbies, we will need every penalty with kickbot nailing them from his 22.
Bulls haven't lost a finals game at Loftus, let's change that!

 

[Blue]

Fitness is not an issue for the Brumbies, cohesiveness and effectiveness are the things to be worried about.
Bulls scrum and lineout are easy pickings and Joubert will most likely penalise the hell out of them. Good for the Brumbies, we will need every penalty with kickbot nailing them from his 22.
Bulls haven't lost a finals game at Loftus, let's change that!

Scrum definitely. We are pissweak at LH. Walkover for any half decent scrum.

Lineout not so easy. The two Potgieter's are both as good in the air as Mowen. The problem for the Bulls is they are used to plucking apart the opposition lineout at Loftus and without Juandre Kruger they will not achieve this.

But I would be very surprised to see the Bulls lose any of their own ball. I doubt there is a Super team that spends as much time as they do on lineouts considering the fact that Matfield coaches the forwards.

Jake White will target the breakdown because that's where the Stormers gave us hell 2 weeks ago and killed off the game. I think the Brumbies will edge the breakdown but can they turn it into enough points? Only if they play the game in the Bulls half and with Steyn that's always hard.

 

[TheSwearingBear]

Well I know I'll be awake early Sunday morning yelling my bloody head off - hopefully when Henry scores three tries.

 

[Gurz]

Jake White will target the breakdown because that's where the Stormers gave us hell 2 weeks ago and killed off the game. I think the Brumbies will edge the breakdown but can they turn it into enough points? Only if they play the game in the Bulls half and with Steyn that's always hard.

The question will be with 4x Saffa refs what interpretation will be extended at breakdown..... with Morne's kicking it maybe a struggle.

 

[Blue]

The question will be with 4x Saffa refs what interpretation will be extended at breakdown... with Morne's kicking it maybe a struggle.

Are you suggesting the Saffa refs have a different interpretation? I don't think so. Besides the Brumbies know the ref very well.

 

[Brumby Jack]

Assistant ref changes:

Jaco Peyper is out and replaced by Jonathan Kaplan.
Stuart Berry is out and replaced by Marius Jonker.

I just hope Jonker is paying attention to knock ons this time.

 

[Blue]

Assistant ref changes:

Jaco Peyper is out and replaced by Jonathan Kaplan.
Stuart Berry is out and replaced by Marius Jonker.

I just hope Jonker is paying attention to knock ons this time.

Yeah well at least we won't see the home side being handed a penalty on the buzzer for nothing.

 

[Brumby Jack]

haha Blue

That was a kiwi ref.

 

[PiXeL_Ninja]

Apparently only 30k tickets have been sold for this match. Everyone saving their $ for a final in loftus maybe?

Not so confident. Not with that average Bulls pack anyways.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Both Finals last week failed to fill out - same thing this week? Not good for rugby.

 

[Scoey]

No. It's just straight out weird!? :-S I don't understand.

 

[Mr Doug]

Nice story by Chris Dutton in this morning's GAGR email on the Brumbies team spirit and "brotherhood".

 

[Brumby Jack]

I think that is all down to the way Jake has the players interacting with each other. They eat breakfast and lunch together at HQ and that makes the bond strong by talking to each other, not just about Rugby.

 

[Ruggo]

The most compelling stat at the end of this game will be the amount of time the ball has been out of play. The crowd will dominate the possession states me thinks. If one team can pick apart the others lineout, they will dominate this game.

Go and get 'em Brumbies.

 

[Ruggo]

The most compelling stat at the end of this game will be the amount of time the ball has been out of play. The crowd will dominate the possession states me thinks. If one team can pick apart the others lineout, they will dominate this game.

Go and get 'em Brumbies.

 

[Blue]

Very interesting article comparing kick stats etc between these two teams. A few surprises in there actually. Good read.

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/130725/Bulls_Brumbies_more_alike_than_you_think

 

[Ghibli]

Assistant ref changes:

Jaco Peyper is out and replaced by Jonathan Kaplan.
Stuart Berry is out and replaced by Marius Jonker.

I just hope Jonker is paying attention to knock ons this time.

Did SANZAR provide an explanation for the changes?

 

[Brumby Runner]

This is a very quiet thread considering the importance of the match. Nervous fans maybe? Go Brumbies!

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Brumbies by 1 point.