|
Raging Bulls stand between Crusaders and ninth final
AFP
, PRETORIA
Saturday, May 12, 2007, Page 18
If the most successful team in the history of Super Rugby are to qualify for an unprecedented ninth final they're first going to have to get past the rampaging Northern Bulls.
And going to have to do it in front of a vocal 50,000 fanatical Bulls fans at Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls have built up a good head of steam in recent weeks, culminating in their 14-try romp of the Queensland Reds last weekend. The final score was 92-3 in favor of the home side.
The Crusaders are coming off a defeat to the Waikato Chiefs. And to make matters worse for the men from New Zealand is the news this week of allegations a number of their players were involved in a street brawl in Christchurch last weekend.
The good news is that mercurial flyhalf Daniel Carter is back in the starting XV after missing last weekend's match with a neck injury.
Coach Robbie Deans has been able to select his strongest outfit, something which Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer may not be able to do when kickoff time arrives.
His star scrumhalf Fourie du Preez is nursing a shoulder injury and may not be fit in time for the action.
"We're going to give him as much time as is needed to recover" said Meyer this week. Du Preez is believed to be using a special shoulder pad, imported from the US, to aid his recovery.
All-conquering pack
Even if Du Preez is unable to play, the Bulls have a more than capable replacement in Heini Adams. More concerning for the Crusaders though will be halting their all-conquering pack.
Deans' have been vulnerable at scrum-time this year and their lineout hasn't been as dominant as their coach would have liked.
They may struggle against a Bulls team which hardly ever moves back in the scrum, and which almost always wins their lineout ball, thanks to the prowess of captain Victor Matfield.
Victory the Bulls would see them to their first Super rugby final, while the Crusaders will be desperate to make up for losing out on a home semi-final as they seek to qualify for a ninth final showdown.
|
