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Bulls charge to victory in Sydney

New South Wales Waratahs captain Adam Frier lies injured on the ground during his side's Super 14 rugby union match against the Bulls in Sydney yesterday. The Bulls won 32-19. PHOTO: AP

South Africa's Northern Bulls monstered the misfiring New South Wales Waratahs to claim an outstanding 32-19 Super 14 rugby victory for their first Sydney success yesterday.

The Bulls comprehensively outplayed and outmuscled the Waratahs, semi-finalists for the past two years, winning by four tries to one to claim a bonus point and move into second place behind Auckland Blues after six rounds.

The Pretoria-based team broke new ground last week with their first win in Canberra, downing the ACT Brumbies 19-7, and they were even more impressive in making the Waratahs look second-best for their first win in Sydney in 11 years of Super 12/14 rugby.

Flying winger Bryan Habana scored two tries with his blistering pace and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez capped a strong game with a brace of tries, his second effort clinching the scoring bonus point 13 minutes from full-time.

The Bulls' overpowering defense was only breached once, with quick-stepping flyhalf Kurtley Beale scoring a consolation try four minutes from the end as the Waratahs slumped to third-last spot ahead of the Waikato Chiefs and Queensland Reds.

The South Africans dominated the line-outs with Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha claiming seven of NSW's throw-ins and the Bulls winning the turnovers 28-16.

The Bulls remarkably won with ease despite ill-discipline costing them 17 penalties and missing 25 tackles.

There may be a concern coming out of the match for the Bulls with center JP Nel likely to face scrutiny over a swinging arm tackle that knocked out flanker Rocky Elsom in a second-half tackle.

The wasteful Waratahs, who committed 15 handling errors, looked a badly beaten team in the final stages as the Bulls' buffeting took its toll.

The Pretoria outfit now have two consecutive wins on their difficult five-match away trip and face six-time champions Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday, while the troubled Waratahs face up to more South African opposition with the Western Stormers in Sydney on the same day.
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