Jake White gets off to perfect start as Bulls gore Sharks
The Bulls gave Jake White the perfect start as a coach and Director of Rugby in Pretoria. Producing a mix of forward power and backline flair, the Bulls beat the Sharks 40-28 in an entertaining affair at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
It was a 21-point blitz in the opening 15 minutes that gave the Bulls a start and saw the Sharks chasing the game.
In the end, despite a much-improved second half, the Sharks failed to close that gap. It started with a sickening high tackle from Jeremy Ward on Travis Ismaiel in the fifth minute – which earned the Sharks midfielder 10 minutes in the sin bin.
The Bulls set up a line-out drive and quickly gained momentum – with Schalk Erasmus getting an armchair ride over the line. Morné Steyn converted.
Minutes later Steyn hoisted a high kick, with Stedman Gans collecting, stepping and scoring a brilliant solo try. Steyn against added the conversion and it was 14-0 after 10 minutes.
That became 21-0 when a brilliant turnover on the Bulls’ line and some quick hands got the ball to Sevens star Kurt-Lee Arendse, who dashed downfield, before stepping inside the defence to score. Steyn added the extras – 21-0.
On the 25th they stretched their lead to 28-8. After taking it through some phases, another of the Bulls’ new recruits, Gio Aplon, stepped through a gap and put Arendse away for his second of the match. Steyn added the conversion.
That became 35-0 on the half-hour, when a simple backline move from a scrum created an overlap for Ismaiel to go over in the right corner. Steyn kept his 100 percent kicking record intact.
The Sharks finally got on the scoreboard after the half-time hooter had sounded – Marco van Staden yellow-cared for repeated infringements at the breakdown. A quick-tap penalty saw Grant Williams catching the Bulls defence napping. Bosch added the conversion top make it 35-7 at the break.
The Bulls again dominated the early exchanges after the break, winning a number of penalties inside the Sharks 22 – resulting in a warning to the visitors for repeated infringements.
However, a simple handling error at the back of a scrum gifted the Sharks some much-needed reprieve.
The Sharks worked their way upfield until Marius Louw won an unlikely turnover, by ripping the ball from the Bulls player’s hands, and strolled over for the visitors’ second try. Bosch converted – 14-35 on the hour mark.
With just on 15 minutes remaining the Bulls stretched their lead – another simple backline move, starting from a line-out turned into a midfield ruck, and David Kriel strolling over in the left corner. Chris Smith added the conversion – 42-14.
Dan Jooste sneaked over from close range, but the call went to the TMO – who awarded the try to the Sharks. Jordan Chait added the conversion – 21-42.
Juandre Kruger was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul in the tackle and from a quick tap Jaden Hendrikse went over and the Chait conversion made it 28-42 with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Kriel then strolled over for his second try in Bulls colours, as the hosts launched a blistering attack from a turnover. Smith added the conversion – 49-28.
That’s how it finished.
The scorers:
For the Bulls
Tries: Erasmus, Gans, Arendse 2, Ismaiel, Kriel 2
Cons: Steyn 5, Smith 2
For the Sharks
Tries: Williams, Louw, Jooste, Hendrikse
Cons: Bosch 2, Chait 2
Yellow cards: Jeremy Ward (Sharks, 5 – foul play, high tackle), Marco van Staden (Bulls, 40 – repeated infringements at the breakdown), Juandre Kruger (Bulls, 71 – cynical foul, holding the ball in the tackle)
Teams:
Bulls squad: Clinton Swart, Travis Ismaiel, Stedman Gans, Jacques van Rooyen, Kurt-lee Arendse, Corniel Els, Morné Steyn, Ivan van Zyl, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Jade Stighling, Stravino Jacobs, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Arno Botha, Chris Smith, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortjé, David Kriel, Muller Uys, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Erasmus, Jan-Hendrick Wessels, Mornay Smith, Sintu Manjezi, Juandré Kruger, Nizaam Carr, Tim Agaba, Embrose Papier, Cornal Hendricks, Gio Aplon.
Sharks squad:Ox Nche, Mzamo Majola, Dylan Richardson, Dan Jooste, Thomas du Toit, John-Hubert Meyer, Ruben van Heerden, JJ van der Mescht, Hyron Andrews, Emile van Heerden, Evan Roos, Adam Mountfort, Celimpilo Gumede, Tera Mtembu, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phepsi Buthelezi. Grant Williams, Sanele Nohamba, Jaden Hendrikse, Curwin Bosch, Jordan Chait, Muller du Plessis, Caleb Dingaan, Jeremy Ward, Marius Louw, Lukhanyo Am, JP Pietersen, Werner Kok, Manie Libbok, Thaakir Abrahams.
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Morné Ferreira
TMO: Willie Vos
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
40 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
40 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
40 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
40 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
40 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
40 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
40 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments