McCaw out to break Bulls finals drought

Updated July 19, 2012 17:04:10

All Blacks and Crusaders captain Richie McCaw rarely finds himself on a losing side, but his last three appearances against the Bulls in the Super Rugby play-offs have all ended in defeat.

But all those losses, in 2007, 2009 and 2010, were on South African soil and McCaw is hoping home-ground advantage will help ensure the Crusaders come out on the right side of the ledger on Saturday night in Christchurch.

"I probably owe them one. We've had some tough old battles over the years, but this is a new year," McCaw said after the Crusaders' final practice on Thursday.

McCaw, who will play at number eight after fellow All Black Kieran Read was ruled out with a rib injury, said the home advantage meant nothing if the Crusaders dropped their standards.

"You still have to do the job right and you can't go out thinking that it is going to be easier," he said.

He anticipated the Bulls might find the going tough as the match wore on and the travel took its toll.

Ominously for the Bulls, they have lost their past seven visits to Christchurch.

But both McCaw and coach Todd Blackadder said the hosts need to keep their discipline, wary that ace Bulls goalkicker Morne Steyn will punish any indiscretions.

"The experience we've had over the last few years is that he keeps things ticking along just through our ill discipline," McCaw said.

"Anywhere in your own half and it is fairly much three points guaranteed."

McCaw said the Bulls would play an uncomplicated brand of rugby suited to the knock-out phase.

"They're not real subtle how they approach it - they try and get on top physically and they can kick the ball from anywhere," he said.

Blackadder has made three changes to the side that swamped the Western Force last week, with All Blacks prop Ben Franks dropped to the bench.

Six-cap All Black Wyatt Crockett replaces Franks at loosehead prop while international lock Sam Whitelock returns after being rested last week.

Powerful centre Robbie Fruean is restored to the run-on side with Adam Whitelock bumped out to the wing, relegating Sean Maitland to the reserves.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Richie McCaw (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Ben Franks, Tom Donnelly, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Sean Maitland.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted July 19, 2012 16:45:07

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Bulls build winning lead before dozing off

Updated July 01, 2012 09:44:26

Northern Bulls scored six tries and then switched off in a 40-24 victory over Central Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

A rout seemed on the cards when left-wing Bjorn Basson crossed for his ninth try of the season 18 minutes into the second half and fly-half Morne Steyn converted to put the three-time champions 40 points ahead.

Adding to the woes of the outplayed Cheetahs from central city Bloemfontein was that inside centre Andries Strauss had to spend another three minutes in the sin bin for retaliation.

But instead of surrendering, the mid-table Cheetahs finally exposed their claws to run in four tries for a bonus point and give the final scoreline far more respectability than seemed likely at one stage.

Bulls still got what they wanted - a bonus-point victory that elevated them to fourth place and a guaranteed home quarter-final if they take nine points from the last fixtures against Coastal Sharks (away) and Golden Lions (home).

"It was important to get back on the horse after three consecutive defeats," said skipper and Springbok No 8 Pierre Spies. "We took our foot off the pedal in the second half but I am happy with the result."

Cheetahs captain and hooker Adriaan Strauss said the first half showing by his side which left them trailing 26-0 at half-time was "shocking" and "the worst performance of the season.

"We got our act together in the second half but by then it was too late to save the match. We must step up against Western Stormers next week and play two halves like the second half here."

After the Springbok-saturated Bulls dominated all phases for the opening 40 minutes, the second half often resembled sevens rugby with each side flinging the ball about and there were plenty of tries as poor defending was exposed.

Steyn - under public and media fire after missing 12 of 22 goal kicks in the 2-0 Test series win over England this month - landed five of six conversions attempts and the other rebounded off the far post.

His 10 points took him to 203 for the Super 15 season in what looks like a two-man race with Waikato Chiefs and All Blacks fly-half Aaron Cruden (198) to finish leading points scorer.

Spies, loose-head prop Dean Greyling, full-back Zane Kirchner, at times cumbersome scrum-half Francois Hougaard, tight-head prop Werner Kruger and Basson crossed the try-line for the Bulls.

Edinburgh-bound tight-head WP Nel bagged two tries for Cheetahs and full-back Willie le Roux and discarded Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow one each with replacement fly-half Sias Ebersohn kicking two conversions.

Bulls 40 - Tries: P Spies, D Greyling, Z Kirchner, F Hougaard, W Kruger, B Basson. Cons: M Steyn 5

Cheetahs 24 - Tries: WP Nel 2, W le Roux, H Brussow. Cons: S Ebersohn 2

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa

First posted July 01, 2012 09:26:32

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Stormers hang on to top spot with win over Bulls

Updated June 03, 2012 06:59:57

The Stormers hung on to top spot in the South African Conference with a 19-14 victory in the derby at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday (AEST).

Trailing 14-9 the Stormers were pinned back in their own territory for most of the second half by the Bulls' dominant forwards but the unerring boot of fly half Peter Grant landed a penalty before wing Bryan Habana scored a 69th-minute try.

The Bulls' percentage rugby seemed to be wearing down the Stormers as fly half Morne Steyn kicked three penalties and number eight Pierre Spies muscled over for a try after a free-kick from a lineout inside the Stormers 22.

But it was the only try the Stormers' brilliant defensive system allowed, despite the Bulls spending 66 per cent of the match in their territory.

The decisive moment came when flank Siya Kolisi, an enormous defensive presence throughout, superbly evaded two on-rushing Bulls defenders and raced into the 22 where he fired a pinpoint pass to Habana to score against his old club.

Grant kicked the conversion to stretch the lead to 19-14 and ensure the Bulls had to score a try in the last 10 minutes.

With the Lions dealing a mortal blow to the Sharks with their shock victory in Johannesburg earlier on Saturday, the Stormers are now five points clear at the top of the South African Conference with three matches to play against the lowly Lions, Cheetahs and Rebels.

The Stormers are on 54 points, in second place in the overall standings, with the Bulls on 49 and the Sharks on 45 with just two matches to play.

Stormers: 19 (B Habana try; P Grant con, 4 pens)

Bulls: 14 (P Spies try; M Steyn 3 pens)

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa

First posted June 03, 2012 06:59:57

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Chiefs come back to bounce Bulls

Updated May 25, 2012 20:13:02

The Chiefs attacked with abandon in the second half to fell the visiting Bulls 28-22 in Hamilton on Friday and reclaim top spot in the Super Rugby standings.

Fired by slick passing from fly half Aaron Cruden and line-breaking inside centre Sonny Bill Williams, the Chiefs overcame a 16-8 half-time deficit to send the Pretoria-based Bulls back to South Africa with a second straight loss on tour.

"We're thrilled that we could kick on in a very tight game," Chiefs skipper Craig Clarke said.

"We knew we were playing some good footy and needed to keep doing what we were doing and we did that ... we didn't want to play a controlled, structured game, that's sort of their style."

Bulls fly half Morne Steyn was typically razor-sharp in front of the posts, finishing with 17 points, but his team's vaunted defence buckled under pressure to concede two tries in the second half.

Cruden's conversion after the Chiefs' third try by replacement flanker Sam Cane put the home side six points up with 10 minutes remaining and desperate drives toward the line by the Bulls ultimately came to nothing.

The Bulls held the early ascendancy after Steyn booted a drop goal over the bar but the visitors dropped the ball to allow Chiefs full back Andrew Horrell to score the first try in the 24th minute.

Cruden deftly steered a high kick into the Bulls' right corner where winger Akona Ndungane spilled the catch and the enterprising Horrell dived on the ball after kicking it over the tryline.

The Chiefs pushed hard for a second, but were repelled time and again by the Bulls on the last line of defence and were sucker-punched a minute before half-time by a Bjorn Basson try.

The jet-heeled Basson received a pass wide on the left wing and shrugged off a tackle from fellow winger Lelia Masaga before streaming over the line.

The teams traded penalties after half-time before Cruden struck in the 58th minute with a quick inside pass that allowed winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma to cross for a try near the posts and level the match at 19-19.

Steyn nosed the visitors back in front with another penalty kick before 20-year-old Cane completed a stunning move that started from the left touchline and ended in the match-winning try.

A quick pass inside from Cruden released Williams in midfield and he burst through the Bulls line and offloaded to the hard-running Cane for a try beneath the posts.

The Chiefs defended grimly over the remaining minutes and sparked raucous cheers from the crowd of 18,000 by winning a turnover ball at the breakdown to cut off a threatening drive after the siren.

Chiefs: 28 (A Horrell, A Tikoirotuma, S Cane tries; A Cruden 2/3 conversions, 3/3 penalty goals

Bulls: 22 (B Basson try; M Steyn 1/1 conversions, 4/4 penalties, 1/2 drop goals)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted May 25, 2012 19:38:26

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Highlanders kick home against the Bulls

Updated May 19, 2012 18:13:58

Lock Jarrad Hoeata scored a late try as the Highlanders upset the Bulls 16-11 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday and kept alive their hopes of a play-off spot.

The Highlanders had lost their two previous games and were in danger of losing touch with the New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs (45) and second-placed Crusaders (37) but moved to 39 points with the win.

The Bulls had been at the top of the table on 46 points and could now be over-hauled by the Stormers (45) in the South African conference when they face New South Wales.

"Pretty big game for us, we'd lost two on the trot and the way the competition is we're still in the hunt," Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said.

"It was a pretty physical game and fast."

The Bulls had taken a 6-3 lead into the half-time break, Morne Steyn kicking two penalties while Mike Delany replying with one for the home side.

The match was played between the 22-metre areas, with the South Africans content to use Steyn's tactical kicking to get them down field.

Delany levelled the score early in the second half with his second penalty as the Highlanders put immense pressure on the Bulls defensive line.

Prop Dean Greyling was subsequently sinbinned in the 56th minute after referee Ian Smith had warned them for constant infringing.

Hoeata, who had one try disallowed by the television match official, crossed from the ensuing attacking scrum as the home side patiently built phases and committed defenders before the 2011 All Blacks lock smashed over.

Delany added the conversion and then a penalty shortly afterwards to give the Highlanders a 10-point lead with little over 10 minutes remaining.

The Bulls, however, finally got some field position and used their massive forwards to punch over the advantage line before replacement hooker Willie Wepener crashed over to bring his side to 16-11.

They were not able to grab victory, however, as the desperate Highlanders defence held them out and turned the ball over as the hooter sounded.

"I think we made too many mistakes and the Highlanders capitalised on that," Bulls captain Pierre Spies said.

Highlanders: 16 (J Hoeata try; M Delany 1/1 con, 3/4 pens)

Bulls: 11 (W Wepener try; M Steyn 2/4 pens)

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted May 19, 2012 17:35:44

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Tahs fall late to Bulls

Updated May 11, 2012 23:30:10

The Bulls snatched victory from New South Wales in the shadows of full-time, winning 27-24 at Sydney Football Stadium.

The Waratahs led 24-20 with less than three minutes on the clock when the Bulls scored the winning try from Werner Kruger after gaining vital field position from a five-metre scrum on their feed.

The Bulls scored three tries in total, while the Waratahs crossed twice through Rob Horne and Atieli Pakalani, helping the hosts snare a bonus point.

Prop Kruger rolled over beneath a pile of players to plant the ball over the line and secure the Bulls' eighth victory of the season, cementing top spot in the South African conference.

"It's always tough coming to Sydney," Bulls captain Pierre Spies said. "We had to fight it out to the end. I'm very proud of the team.

"When you're playing away from home you need that defence... we're going to enjoy tonight and re-focus on Monday."

The late try was a cruel blow for the Waratahs, who dominated possession and territory for most of the night but wilted under pressure in the final minutes.

The Waratahs were left trailing local rivals Brumbies by nine points on the Australian conference, with the ACT-based side holding a match in hand and in the box seat to secure an automatic spot in the play-offs.

Waratahs coach Michael Foley was given a boost before the match, however, when Drew Mitchell passed a fitness test to make the touring party for the two-match trek to South Africa.

The home side led 13-10 at half-time and held a 24-20 lead in the final minutes but failed to land the knock-out punch, as they slumped to their seventh loss of the season.

Outside centre Horne came back from a two-match suspension to score a try in the 16th minute, streaming through a hole in defence to cross left of the posts after taking a flat pass from Berrick Barnes outside the 22.

Lock Dean Mumm undid the Waratahs' good early work by getting sent off seven minutes later for a dangerous line-out infringement and Bulls half-back Francois Hougaard instantly made the home side pay.

The barrel-chested Hougaard took the ball from a ruck and embarrassed the Waratahs' defence by shrugging off a two-pronged tackle by prop Benn Robinson and captain Rocky Elsom near the try line, then shoving opposing half-back Sarel Pretorius over to score the Bulls' first try.

Barnes slotted a penalty goal shortly after half-time to put the Waratahs 16-10 up, but the Bulls ramped up the pressure.

After repelling wave after wave of attacks on the line, the Waratahs' defence succumbed in the 59th minute when the ball was spread wide to Morne Steyn who fed winger Akona Ndungane for the Bulls' second try.

Steyn's conversion put the Bulls in front for the first time in the match, but Barnes stole back the momentum four minutes later with a long, looping pass to the right that beat a lone Bulls defender and allowed winger Pakalani to charge over from 10 metres out.

Morne Steyn, who finished with 12 points after another flawless night with the boot, slotted home his second penalty before Brendan McKibbin answered late to give the Waratahs a precarious four-point lead.

A defensive error on the last line of defence cost the Waratahs dearly, however, as they lost the scrum in the final minutes and were powerless to prevent Kruger barging over with support from the forwards.

Bulls: 27 (F Hougaard, A Ndungane, W Kruger tries; M Steyn 3 cons, 2 pens)

Waratahs: 24 (R Horne, A Pakalani tries; B Barnes con, 3 pens; B McKibbin pen)

Reuters/ABC

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, sydney-2000

First posted May 11, 2012 21:30:16

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Elsom to start against Bulls

Updated May 09, 2012 13:24:53

Rocky Elsom will captain New South Wales for the first time this season when the Waratahs meet the Bulls at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.

It will be Elsom's first start for the Waratahs in 2012, having earlier been sidelined because of a hamstring injury, and he takes over as a skipper from Benn Robinson.

The Waratahs have made four changes in all to the forward pack that was part of the 23-6 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra last Saturday night.

Elsom replaces Dave Dennis at blindside flanker, Chris Alcock named ahead of Jono Jenkins at openside flanker, and Dean Mumm take the place of Sitaleki Timani in the second row.

Tatafu Polota-Nauleft the field against the Brumbies with a knee injury and is replaced by John Ulugia.

The backline features several changes with Rob Horne returning from suspension to play outside centre and Adam Ashley-Cooper named at inside centre after playing full-back against the Brumbies.

Ashley-Cooper's move into the midfield saw Tom Carter dropped to the bench.

Daniel Halangahu will wear the number 15 jersey against the Bulls, while Tom Kingston shifts back to the wing and South African import Sarel Pretorius replaces Brendan McKibbin at half-back.

The Waratahs are banking on Pretorius, who moved from the Cheetahs to the Waratahs this season, to provide some inside information on his countrymen.

"Pretorius has shown great form off the bench and has a good understanding of what's required against the Bulls," Waratahs coach Michael Foley said in a statement.

The Waratahs sit third on the Australian conference on 26 points with a 4-6 record from their 10 matches.

The Bulls (7-2) are coming off a titanic 41-35 win over the Rebels in Melbourne and lead the South African conference, in addition to sitting in second place on the overall standings.

Waratahs squad:

Daniel Halangahu, Tom Kingston, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Atieli Pakalani, Berrick Barnes, Sarel Pretorius, Wycliff Palu, Chris Alcock, Rocky Elsom (captain), Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, John Ulugia, Benn Robinson

Reserves: John Mann-Rea, Jeremy Tilse, Sitaleki Timani, Lopeti Timani, Dave Dennis, Brendan McKibbin, Tom Carter

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, sydney-2000

First posted May 09, 2012 13:24:53

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Bulls hold off gutsy Rebels

Updated May 04, 2012 22:08:56

Melbourne Rebels produced a spirited performance despite going down 41-35 to the Bulls at AAMI Park.

Both sides showed a willingness to attack at times with each scoring five tries but its was the boot of Bulls fly half Morne Steyn that proved the difference, courtesy of two penalties goal.

The win moves the Bulls back to the top of the South African conference with a 7-2 return from their nine matches, while the result was the Rebels' seventh defeat of the season.

Steyn produced another metronomic goalkicking display, slotting 16 points in addition to scoring a try and setting up two others, as the Bulls won their fourth successive match.

"It was pretty exciting from the stands, high intensity, good attacking from both sides, maybe not the best defensively from us but good to get the win," Bulls captain Pierre Spies said.

"We needed these points."

The match was one of milestones for the Rebels, with Mark Gerrard making his 100th Super Rugby appearance, while Stirling Mortlock was making his first of the season from the reserves bench after he recovered from a long-standing calf injury.

It was also their first match since they parted ways with enigmatic fly half Danny Cipriani, who has returned to England early. The former England international has signed with Sale for next season.

The first half was helter-skelter as both sides secured a bonus point by scoring four tries each with Rebels captain Gareth Delve crashing over after the hooter had sounded to vindicate his decision not to take a penalty shot at goal and ensure the match was evenly poised with the Bulls leading 31-28.

The second period, however, failed to live up to the first as both sides adopted a more conservative, patterned approach for the first 20 minutes before Steyn's deft chip kick ahead was gathered by JJ Engelbrecht to crash over and break the shackles.

Cooper Vuna struck back immediately for the Rebels for his second try, with Kurtley Beale adding his fifth conversion, before Steyn slotted a 72nd minute penalty for the Bulls to give them a 41-35 lead that they held until the final whistle.

The Bulls now have 42 points on the South African conference standings, one ahead of the Stormers, who have bye this round.

The Rebels are fourth in the Australia conference, three points ahead of Western Force, who play away to the Cheetahs on Sunday morning (AEST).

Bulls: 41 (A Ndungane, B Basson, M Steyn, CJ Stander, JJ Englebrecht tries; Steyn 5 cons, 2 pens)

Rebels: 35 (C Vuna (2), R Blake, N Phipps, G Delve tries; K Beale 5 cons)

ABC/Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted May 04, 2012 21:27:17

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Brumbies make two changes for Bulls

Updated April 19, 2012 11:57:19

The Brumbies have recalled outside centre Andrew Smith and prop Ben Alexander to their starting line-up for their crucial Super Rugby test against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday.

They are the only two changes coach Jake White has made from the side that crushed the Rebels 37-6 at Canberra Stadium almost a week ago.

White has stuck with monster forward Fotu Auelua at number eight for just his second Super Rugby game, pushing skipper Ben Mowen from his usual position to blindside breakaway for the second week running.

Smith returns to the starting 15 in place of young gun Tevita Kuridrani, who has been relegated to the bench.

Alexander replaces Tevita Kuridrani.

"This is a big occasion for a young side like this, the Bulls crowd is one of the most vocal of the Super Rugby competition so it will be a huge test for them to block that out," White said.

"We've had a good week of preparation on the High Veldt and recovered nicely from the flight over so there won't be any excuses there.

"This will be our toughest battle of the year. The Bulls are a strong team with Springboks right across the park. But we will be in this match to the end, it should be a fantastic game of rugby."

Brumbies:

Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Andrew Smith, Pat McCabe, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White, Fotu Auelua, Michael Hooper, Ben Mowen (capt), Sam Carter, Scott Fardy, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Anthony Hegarty, Ruaidhri Murphy, Peter Kimlin, Ita Vaea, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani.

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia, south-africa

First posted April 19, 2012 11:53:16

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Reds rookie Murphy ready for Bulls

Updated March 22, 2012 16:49:38

He's the fourth choice flyhalf but Queensland Reds rookie Dallan Murphy said he has been hanging around the squad long enough to know what's required of him.

The unavailability of injured Reds trio Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas and Mike Harris has given Murphy his first Super Rugby start when the Reds take on the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning.

Murphy, 23, has just one previous Super Rugby appearance, coming off the bench for the Reds against the Chiefs in round 18 last year.

The Brisbane rugby product has been in the Reds wider training squad since 2010, a year after captaining Brothers to the Brisbane premiership.

"Its unfortunate the team has so many injuries but it is a great to get an opportunity,'' Marphy said from Pretoria.

"I'm used to training with these guys so knowing the players like the back of your hand makes the job a lot easier.''

Coach Ewen McKenzie said he considered other options at flyhalf including starting established players out of position.

"Dallan has been in our system for a long time and we have every confidence in his ability to get the job done," McKenzie said.

"We've played around with our options at flyhalf this year but Dallan is a natural number 10 so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can offer.''

Murphy is a confident attacking flyhalf and will be encourage to do what comes naturally.

"Ewen has kept his advice pretty simple," Murphy said.

"He has told me to play my own game and back my ability."

In other changes hooker Saia Faingaa will receive his first starting opportunity of 2012 as part of a revamped front-row which sees Greg Holmes shift to tighthead prop and Ben Daley promoted from the bench to loosehead.

Faingaa has played the past two matches off the bench while recovering from an ankle injury but has been impressed with the progress of the Reds forward pack.

"Last week (against the Sharks) we played one of our best games but we're growing as a team and we're building for bigger games,"

Luke Morahan comes in for suspended winger Digby Ioane on the wing. Ben Tapuai moves from outside to inside centre with Jono Lance handed the number 13 jersey.

Ioane will miss four matches while on suspension. His unavailability and the injuries to the playmakers does not seem to have ruffled coach McKenzie.

"The nature of rugby is that you have to adapt,'' McKenzie said.

"We look forward to seeing what the new generation of player can bring to the side.''

Queensland Reds side to play the Bulls:
Rod Davies, Dom Shipperley, Jono Lance, Ben Tapuai, Luke Morahan, Dallan Murphy, Will Genia, Jake Schatz, Beau Robinson, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Greg Holmes, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Interchange: James Hanson, James Slipper, Radike Samo, Van Humphries, Liam Gill, Nick Frisby, Nathan Eyres-Brown.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted March 22, 2012 16:49:38

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Steyn reaches 1,000 as Bulls hammer Cheetahs

Updated March 04, 2012 08:02:19

Fly half Morne Steyn became the third player to score 1,000 Super Rugby points as he converted all six of the Bulls' tries and added three penalties in their impressive 51-19 hammering of the Cheetahs on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Steyn joined Canterbury Crusaders fly half Dan Carter (1,272 points) and Australian Stirling Mortlock (1,031) as he became the first South African to reach four figures. He has now scored 1,012 points in 91 games, all for the Bulls.

The Bulls went to the top of the standings with nine points despite finishing the match with 13 men after Francois Hougaard was harshly red-carded in the 64th minute for a tip-tackle and flank Jacques Potgieter was yellow-carded for a shoulder-charge in the 78th minute.

However, such setbacks failed to stop the Bulls from charging to victory and condemning fellow South African side the Cheetahs to the bottom of the table.

Props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger scored the first two Bulls tries from close range, while Cheetahs flyhalf Johan Goosen kept the home side in touch with his immaculate kicking ability as he scored three penalties to narrow the gap to 17-9.

The Bulls kept piling on the pressure as wing Bjorn Basson scored another try to open up a commanding 31-12 lead at half-time.

Following the interval, Akona Ndungane burst clear of the Cheetahs' defence and passed inside for full-back Zane Kirchner to score.

Steyn landed his second and third penalties to stretch the lead to 37-12 after 58 minutes.

"We're very disappointed but credit to the Bulls, tactically they were better than us and credit to their defence," Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss said.

"We were on their line for a while but we couldn't get through."

Hougaard was then red-carded, despite centre Robert Ebersohn twisting around in the tackle and going to ground head-first.

That interruption temporarily caught the Bulls off guard and Strauss pounced to score Cheetahs' only try.

The Bulls quickly regained control and scored two more tries in the last 10 minutes through replacement centre JJ Engelbrecht and Kirchner.

"It's easy to play well when 15 players are so willing to work hard for each other," outstanding Bulls hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle said.

"Morne Steyn is a special athlete, well done to him."

Bulls: 51 (Z Kirchner 2, D Greyling, W Kruger, B Basson, JJ Engelbrecht tries; M Steyn 6 cons; 3 pens)

Cheetahs: 19 (A Strauss try; J Goosen con; 4 pens)

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa

First posted March 04, 2012 07:54:15

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Michalak sparks Sharks as Bulls go out

Posted June 19, 2011 06:14:00

French international Frederic Michalak played a key role as the Sharks earned a place in the Super Rugby play-offs with a shock 26-23 win over defending champions Northern Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Michalak was selected at fly half ahead of in-form Patrick Lambie, who moved to full-back as the Sharks rung the changes after showing mediocre form in recent weeks.

Michalak's quick passing and unpredictability and Lambie's incursions from the back kept Bulls under pressure and the home team were never in front in what was effectively a knock-out game for the sixth and final play-off place.

For Bulls it could be the end of an era.

Captain Victor Matfield thanked supporters in the 50,000 crowd for what he said had been a "fantastic 10 years" as he and fellow stars Bakkies Botha and Fourie du Preez may have played their last games for the Pretoria franchise.

The loss ended a six-match winning streak by Bulls, who have won three of the last four Super Rugby titles

Not even a laser-wielding Bulls fan could stop the Sharks.

Lambie said he had noticed a laser being shone into his eyes as he lined up place kicks but said the distraction was not to blame for him missing three out of six kicks, which resulted in Michalak taking over the kicking in the final quarter.

Both teams scored two tries, and the Bulls struck back twice within three minutes of the Sharks crossing their line.

Sharks went into a 16-6 lead three minutes before half-time when JP Pietersen came in from the blindside wing and made a searing break which led to a try by Sharks captain Stefan Terblanche.

But the Bulls pulled it back to 16-13 when right wing Gerhard van den Heever went over in the corner after the half-time hooter and fly half Morne Steyn converted.

Bulls threatened to take a familiar ascendancy early in the second half but the Sharks tackled ferociously and made probing attacks when in possession.

They seemed to have wrapped up the points when Lambie came into the line from full-back and the ball was fed to left wing Lwazi Mvovo, who dived over in the corner.

Michalak landed the conversion to put the Sharks 26-16 ahead with six minutes left.

Once again the Bulls came straight back. Francois Hougaard, who had started at scrum half but moved to wing when Du Preez came on, scored and Steyn's conversion reduced the margin to three points.

It set up a tense finish to a bruising match because the Bulls would have reached the play-offs had the match been drawn, so they only needed a penalty or a drop goal to squeeze past their rivals.

But the Sharks held on to earn an away match against the Canterbury Crusaders.

- AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, south-africa

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Bulls keep title hopes alive

Updated June 12, 2011 08:31:00

The Bulls kept their title hopes alive with a tense 19-16 win over the Stormers in an all-South African Super Rugby clash at Newlands overnight.

The defending champions climbed into the top-six play-off positions after dominating most of the game, although they had to withstand a ferocious late assault by the Stormers, who scored a 79th-minute try and forced the visitors to defend for three minutes after the final hooter before their attack broke down near the Bulls line.

Stormers stayed in second place on the log and will earn a home semi-final if they beat the Central Cheetahs in their final league match in Bloemfontein next weekend.

Bulls have a challenging final game against Sharks in Pretoria, with the teams on the same number of points in fifth and sixth place.

"Everything is still in our own hands," said Bulls captain and lock Victor Matfield. "The Sharks are going to be very tough but we've still got a chance."

Bulls led 6-3 at half-time, with two penalty goals by fly half Morne Steyn against one by fellow pivot Kurt Coleman, but could have been further ahead after dominating possession and forcing the home team into errors.

The Pretoria side successfully disrupted Stormers' line-out, normally one of the home team's strengths, and the Cape outfit were unable to secure the ball from their first three throw-ins.

Bulls also looked stronger in the scrums and with Stormers seldom able to gain clean ball, they made numerous handling errors.

Inexperienced Coleman was replaced by Dewaldt Duvenage soon after missing a straightforward penalty early in the second half and Duvenage almost immediately put the Stormers level before a Steyn penalty gave the Bulls the lead again.

Another botched Stormers line-out in the 65th minute enabled Bulls scrum half Francois Hougaard to collect a throw which went over the forwards and he sprinted 35 metres to score near the posts.

Duvenage and Steyn swapped more penalties before Stormers lock Andries Bekker scored a minute from the end to secure a bonus point for his team.

Stormers captain and flank Schalk Burger twice turned down kickable penalties, which would also have earned the bonus point, before Bekker went over.

"We were going for the win," explained Burger.

"In the last 10 minutes we probably played how we should have played for the whole 80."

- AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, south-africa

First posted June 12, 2011 06:27:00

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Bulls edge Waratahs to boost play-off hopes

Posted June 4, 2011 07:29:00

The defending champion Bulls kept their Super rugby playoff hopes alive by edging out the NSW Waratahs 23-17 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.

The home team outscored its opponents by two tries to one as they vaulted from seventh to fifth place in the table on 49 points with a fifth consecutive victory.

The Waratahs picked up a bonus point for losing by less than seven points, keeping the Australian team in sixth spot and in the last playoff position.

"We are starting to get momentum now," Bulls skipper Victor Matfield said.

"It's nice to be in the top six but we need to win our next two matches."

The teams were locked at 6-6 just before half-time thanks to two penalties apiece from Bulls fly half Morne Steyn and opposite number Kurtley Beale.

Then, with seconds remaining in the half, the hosts went ahead through a well-worked try from inside centre Wynand Olivier.

The Bulls won a lineout on the half-way line before Gerhard van der Heever came off the right wing and drew the last defender to set up Olivier for a converted try.

Four minutes after the restart they extended their lead thanks to a breathtaking try which started inside their own 22 metres.

The ball was thrown along the backline before centre Jaco Pretorius made a 30-metre run and set up wing Bjorn Basson for his ninth try of the season.

The Waratahs staged a fightback with Beale booting his third penalty and replacement wing Afa Pakalani diving over in the corner to reduce the deficit to six points.

Beale then kicked another penalty before Waratahs replacement forward Pat O'Conner was red-carded for head-butting an opponent and Steyn kicked the resulting penalty.

"At half-time we felt we were very much in the match," Waratahs captain Dean Mumm said.

"We felt that possession would come our way, and it did, but we let ourselves down, made some mistakes and gave away some turnovers."

Bulls: 23 (W Olivier, B Basson tries; M Steyn 2 cons, 3 pens)

Waratahs: 17 (A Pakalani try; K Beale 4 pens)

- Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, south-africa

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Tahs' Kepu to miss Bulls showdown

Posted May 29, 2011 19:00:00

The injury-hit New South Wales Waratahs have lost in-form prop Sekope Kepu and possibly centre Ryan Cross for next weekend's crunch Super Rugby clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Kepu lasted just 12 minutes and Cross 22 as both fell victim to knee injuries in the Waratahs' 26-21 loss to the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning (AEST).

The Tahs led 21-13 with 25 minutes to go when full-back Kurtley Beale kicked a penalty awarded after Sharks flanker Jean Deysel was sin-binned for a choke hold on centre Tom Carter.

But the Sharks capitalised on the visitors' turnovers and poor discipline to score 13 unanswered points.

The result left the Waratahs wobbling on the finals tightrope with three rounds remaining.

The Sharks (47 points) displaced the Waratahs (46) from fifth with the Bulls (45) and Highlanders (44) still very much in contention.

Kepu suffered a medial ligament injury while Cross fell awkwardly after being hit by a high tackle off the ball.

"I think we are probably looking at three to four weeks for Sekope at his stage," New South Wales coach Chris Hickey said.

"Ryan Cross's problem isn't quite as severe as Sekope's but I think he would certainly be in doubt for the Bulls game."

New South Wales went into the match without a smattering of stars including its most dangerous back Drew Mitchell, star back rowers Wycliff Palu and Phil Waugh and five-eighth Berrick Barnes.

Barnes, who has suffered three head knocks this season, trained on Saturday and could be available to face the Bulls next Saturday morning (AEST).

Veteran Al Baxter will almost certainly replace Kepu.

Hickey was keeping his options open about the replacement for Cross, though he could switch Lachie Turner to outside centre and start Atieli Pakalani on the the wing.

Pakalani missed a glorious chance to push New South Wales ahead with eight minutes to go when he won the chase to a Beale stab kick, but knocked on over the line.

Five-eighth Daniel Halangahu, who moved into the team on Friday for Barnes, shaped as the hero.

He set up a 95-metre breakout try to Turner in the first half and scored himself in the second after beating three defenders from a scrum move.

The Sharks dominated possession in the second half and powered home in the final quarter.

Springboks winger JP Pietersen sprinted over 60 metres for a match-changing try after pouncing on a loose pass from Beale.

Promising five-eighth Patrick Lambie, who scored 21 points, including a first-half try, kicked two late penalties to secure victory.

"I think that we tried to play too much football in our own half and their defence was able to stop us there and we didn't build a lot of pressure on them," Hickey said.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, south-africa

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Bulls edge closer to play-offs

Posted May 29, 2011 07:00:00

Northern Bulls scrum half Francois Hougaard snatched a stoppage-time try to give the title holders a bonus-point 32-21 triumph over Central Cheetahs in a rousing Super 15 clash.

A fourth consecutive victory lifted the Pretoria franchise one position to seventh, one point behind the Waratahs who visit Loftus Versfeld next weekend.

The top six finishers next month after the league phase of the southern hemisphere rugby union championship qualify for the play-offs with the Bulls chasing a fourth title in five seasons.

Defeat signalled the end of a four-match Cheetahs winning streak, but the injury-hit Bloemfontein team played their part in a typically physical and pulsating South African derby.

Success for the Bulls completed a great South African weekend with the Lions winning in New Zealand, the Western Stormers victorious in Australia and the Coastal Sharks overcoming the Waratahs in Durban.

Bulls started with the same fiery spirit that produced recent victories over Waikato Chiefs, Melbourne Rebels and Sharks and they were ahead within three minutes when left wing Bjorn Basson went over in the corner.

After securing ruck possession, fly half Morne Steyn and full-back Zane Kirchner handled slickly to create space and Springbok World Cup hopeful Basson eluded fullback Riaan Viljoen for his eighth try this season.

Steyn atoned for a rare poor conversion attempt that finished well left of the target by kicking two penalties to give the Bulls a 11-0 half-time lead while rival fly-half Sias Ebersohn missed two shots at goal, one a sitter.

A better Cheetahs showing early in the second half was rewarded on 51 minutes when livewire flank Ashley Johnson dotted down in the corner and Ebersohn converted.

Bulls quickly regained the initiative and replacement forward Danie Rossouw dotted down twice as they surged to a 25-7 advantage. He broke the line and charged over for the first try and seven minutes later strolled across.

Steyn succeeded with both conversions and the rattled Cheetahs appeared set for a hiding when loosehead prop Coenie Oosthuizen was sin binned after a dangerous tackle on Kirchner.

But the Bloemfontein franchise refused to bow and another break ended with Johnson going over under the posts and Ebersohn converted. Replacement Hennie Daniller felt he also scored a try but it was ruled out for an elbow in touch.

An Ebersohn try one minute from full-time which he converted set up a tense finale in which Cheeetahs were dispossessed as they sought a match-winning try and multi-phase pressure culminated in Hougaard diving over beside a post.

- AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, south-africa

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Hougaard scores winner for Bulls

Published:Sunday, May 29, 2011 8:00 AEST

Francois Hougaard celebrates his winning try during the Super Rugby match between the Bulls and Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on May 28, 2011 in Pretoria.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, south-africa

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Steyn kicks Bulls to victory

Posted May 22, 2011 06:31:00

Springbok fly half Morne Steyn kicked 22 points to help the Bulls to a 32-23 victory over the Sharks in an all-South African Super Rugby match at Kings Park in Durban overnight.

Steyn, a veteran of 25 Tests, missed just one of his eight attempts at goal and succeeded with five penalties, two conversions and a drop goal.

The win kept the Bulls' slim play-off hopes alive as they moved to 40 points, eight behind the Stormers in the South African conference and four behind the second-placed Sharks.

The visitors dominated the first quarter, roaring into a 20-6 lead, while the home side's cause was not helped by their poor lineout performances early in the match.

Left wing Francois Hougaard scored the opening try of the contest courtesy of a stolen Sharks' lineout in the host's 22-metre area.

Steyn and his opposite number Patrick Lambie traded penalties before the visitors stretched their lead when a line break from inside centre Wynand Olivier resulted in lock Bakkies Botha diving over from close range for a converted try.

Steyn and Lambie again traded penalties before Steyn completed the first half scoring with a snap drop goal from 25 metres out.

The fly half was responsible for the first points of the second half when he succeeded with a 40-metre penalty attempt before the Sharks launched a comeback which narrowed the deficit to 10 points.

The hosts finally breached their opponent's defence when hooker Bismarck du Plessis barrelled over after a quick tap penalty from scrum half Charl McLeod five metres from the Bulls' tryline before a Lambie penalty left the score at 26-16 after 60 minutes.

Before a crowd of 35,143, Steyn ended any hopes the Sharks had of pulling off an unlikely victory with two more penalties to kill the match off as a contest despite a consolation try for the home side when centre Adrian Jacobs slid over in the corner in the 75th minute.

- Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, south-africa

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Bulls give Rebels rude welcome

Posted May 15, 2011 06:52:00

Northern Bulls gave Melbourne Rebels a rude welcome to South Africa when they hammered the Australian newcomers 47-10 in a Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The Rebels, making their first appearance in South Africa, started brightly and stretched the Bulls defence in the first six minutes with some quick passing movements.

But a seventh-minute try against the run of play, when centre Wynand Olivier gathered a chip kick from fly half Morne Steyn and ran 40 metres to score under the posts, gave the Bulls a lead they never relinquished.

"We're finding it tough to get into games," admitted Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock.

"There is a lot of work to be done," he said of a side firmly anchored at the bottom of the Australian conference table.

The Bulls, Super 14 champons last season but needing a strong finish to the league phase to feature in the play-offs this year after losing five matches, secured a bonus point inside half an hour when they scored their fourth try.

There was controversy about the Bulls' third try when most players from both sides came to a stop after what seemed an obvious knock-on by full-back Zane Kirchner.

Left wing Bjorn Basson, chasing a kick ahead, slowed down but then gathered the ball and trotted through for a try when he realised New Zealand referee Chris Pollock had not blown his whistle.

The defending champions led 40-3 at half-time after scoring six tries, but the Rebels gave a much-improved performance in an evenly contested second half, scoring a try of their own through replacement wing Cooper Vuna, and conceding only one more.

Olivier notched a hat-trick of tries, Kirchner scored twice and the others came from Basson and scrum-half Fourie du Preez.

Steyn added six conversions.

Regular Bulls captain and Springbok lock Victor Matfield was on the bench and not called on to play, while several key players were substituted in the second half as the Bulls lost their intensity.

Bulls captain Du Preez, one of the players substituted in the second half, hailed "an unbelievable first half" while Olivier gave credit to the forwards for his try-scoring feat.

"The forwards gave us a good platform," he said.

Bulls: 47 (W Olivier 3, Z Kirchner 2, B Basson, F du Preez tries; M Steyn 6 conversions

Rebels: C Vuna try; J Huxley conversion, penalty

-AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, vic, melbourne-3000, south-africa

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Force edge out Bulls in thriller

Updated April 24, 2011 00:34:00

The Bulls' Super Rugby title defence is hanging by a thread after a 26-21 defeat to the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night.

Force full-back Cameron Shepherd scored the match-winning try 12 minutes from time and also pulled off a desperate, try-saving tackle earlier in the half to propel the Force to their third victory of the season and second on the trot.

The Bulls, winners of the past two titles, face an almighty task to even qualify for this year's finals, with their third straight loss leaving them with just four wins from nine games.

Force whizz kid James O'Connor nailed six of seven kicks for an 18-point haul, the speedy 20-year-old also creating numerous opportunities in open play.

The Force could not break through the Bulls' resolute defence in the opening half, with three penalties to O'Connor and another to Willie Ripia the only reward.

The Bulls looked dangerous every time they entered their attacking 22m, with hooker Chilliboy Ralepelle barging over in the 11th minute and winger Bjorn Basson adding the visitors' second just eight minutes later.

Basson's try arrived just a minute after O'Connor was harshly sin-binned for a lifting tackle on Bulls full-back Zane Kirchner, who twisted in the tackle and landed heavily on his back.

The Bulls added 10 points to three during O'Connor's spell on the sideline, but a determined Force closed the deficit to just 15-12 by half-time, capitalising on several glaring handling errors by the visitors.

Force scrum-half Brett Sheehan was a fired-up customer and understandably so after copping an off-the-ball elbow to the head from Bulls prop Dean Greyling late in the first half.

Points were hard to come by early in the second half, with Morrne Steyn's 55th-minute penalty quickly cancelled out by O'Connor up the other end.

Shepherd's first heroic act came in the 51st minute when his desperate tackle pushed Jaco Pretorius' boot into touch just as the Bulls centre dived forward in an attempt to score a try.

O'Connor's hot kicking continued as he nailed a pair of vital penalties, and Shepherd put the Force in front in the 68th minute when he grabbed a desperate pass from Ripia and touched down in the corner.

O'Connor's 77th minute penalty gave the Force an eight-point buffer, and although Steyn closed the gap back to five with two minutes remaining, the home side held firm in the dying stages.

-AAP

First posted April 24, 2011 00:13:00

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