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Toothless Sharks hammered by the Bulls in latest Currie Cup final

(Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The Bulls claimed their second consecutive Currie Cup trophy with an impressive 44-10 win over the Sharks on Saturday. Jake White’s team delivered a masterclass in Pretoria, setting a points difference record in the competition that is more than a century old.

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The defending champions scored six tries and even the most hardened Sharks fan will have to admit that they witnessed a masterclass by the Pretoria outfit. They led 19-3 at the break with three sublime tries in the bag and an even better second half followed for the hosts.

Sharks lost influential midfielder Marius Louw in the warm-up due to ill-health and the first involvement of his replacement Jeremy Ward wasn’t great. With the Bulls attacking from a third-minute lineout, Ward misread the dummy runners and his direct opponent, Harold Vorster, was left with a gap as big as a house to race away and score. 

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Jake White explains the role of new signing Bismarck du Plessis at the Bulls

Video Spacer

Jake White explains the role of new signing Bismarck du Plessis at the Bulls

Sleight of hand by Vorster then created the next try from another lineout stemming from a penalty conceded by the Sharks. Vorster’s pass found Lionel Mapoe and he cut through the Ward/Werner Kok midfield.

The Sharks eventually hit back with a 30th-minute penalty from Curwin Bosch, but a tap and charge saw Marcell Coetzee crash over next to the uprights to ensure the Bulls had a 16-point interval lead.

This was soon extended in the second half, Chris Smith’s penalty followed by lock Janko Swanepoel’s try which stretched the margin to 29-3 with 50 minutes played. Scrum-half Zak Burger then added try No5 with Coetzee claiming the sixth soon after.

While the Sharks had a try from Thomas du Toit, Cornal Hendricks wrapped up the hammering to leave the Bulls heading to Ireland to face Leinster on September 25 for the start of the United Rugby Championship as the back-to-back Currie Cup champions.    

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Yeah I agree Hansen loved Beaudy way too much. Don’t see what that has to do with your statement of Dmac though.


I think you’re doing that thing where you make stuff up to fit the current picture you’re trying to paint.

But Hansen clearly wanted McKenzie at 15 (probably to take over at 10 later, like B Barrett did). So Cruden was on the outer.

Dmac had never been used as a starting 10 at any level by the point Lima had retired. Mo’unga took over, not Dmac.


Cruden was given the 10 jersey post 2015. He got injured in his second game, lost his jersey after that, but was still second to Barrett. Yes, many thought he should have been given it back (and that he should have got it back straight qaway), but Dmac wasn’t even in the picture at this point so you’re completly off track with those statements you’ve made.


That was the only occasion Dmac played 10, he was always at 15 in that period you mention.

After Cruden as dropped, Mo’unga was the only ‘knock out game’ test 10 New Zealand had. I guess Hansen sold them the idea that McKenzie was the way forward at 10, while Foster thought he could make B Barrett into ‘knock out game’ test 10? Who knows the thought process that went on.


Good job they cleaned the Board out.

Cruden was the first five version of Ethan Blackadder, he was not dropped, he couldn’t regain his place after injury and he said that his injuries were a big factor in leaving.


Hansen had nothing to do with McKenzie at 10.


That you comment about the board in this discussion is enlightening Spew!


Nothing you’ve replied with contradicts when I said about the inaccuracy of those highlighted statements. Bias is sending you waaay off track.


The facet I could agree on (not that you’ve really made the point) would be that by delaying bringing Mo’unga into the side, and instead continuing with Lima (or Barrett if you want to make Lima 1 and Richie 2), he cut short Richies prep for RWC 2019. It would indeed be a lot of pressure to handle being given the 10 jersey a few months out from a WC.


And ofc the old clicks penchants for dual playmakers and thinking Barrett can be a 10 (you’re preaching to the choir, just with bad basis of facts).

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