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Preview: Blues v Bulls
Sportal.co.nz - (1/04/2010)
Undefeated at Eden Park against the Bulls, the Blues face a huge test on Saturday. The Bulls are top of the table, but looked average against the Force last week. They strike a Blues side that is in-form despite their results – should be a cracked.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 15 – Blues 9, Northern Transvaal/Bulls 5, drawn 1.
LAST TIME: February 21, 2009 (Pretoria) – Bulls 59-26 Blues.
LAST TIME AT VENUE: March 29, 2008 – Blues 23-21 Bulls.
MATCH ODDS: NZ TAB (Opening odds): Blues $1.87, Bulls $1.87.
WALKING WOUNDED: Tony Woodcock suffered a neck injury last week which, while not anticipated to keep him out for a prolonged period, will definitely see the All Black loosehead in the stands this week. Luke McAlister has finally passed fit for this match after a frustrating injury run and will begin it on the bench. The Bulls have named an unchanged starting XV this week but have stacked the bench with five forwards, so they clearly expect the forward contest to take its toll. Derrick Kuun, who is bracketed on the bench, will be reassessed for a mild hamstring strain closer to game time.
FORM:
PAST FIVE Blues:
Round 3: Beat Reds 27-18
Round 4: Lost to Crusaders 20-33
Round 5: Bye
Round 6: Beat Brumbies 39-34
Round 7: Lost to Waratahs 32-39
PAST FIVE Bulls:
Round 3: Beat Waratahs 48-38
Round 4: Bye
Round 5: Beat Highlanders 50-35
Round 6: Beat Hurricanes 19-18
Round 7: Beat Force 28-15
The Blues will be angry with themselves over that loss in Sydney last week, as they had recovered from a poor start to be in a winning position before a careless pass cost the match. That was a win they really needed as they’ve dropped three already this season and this is not the match-up any side really wants in a must-win contest. Pat Lam was also most unhappy with the officiating but was at pains to point out his side should have been good enough to bag five points rather than the two they got. The Blues don’t have a bad back end of the season waiting but they’re in danger of falling too far off the pace and the pressure will really be on the home side. The Bulls are still unbeaten and are now a full game clear at the top of the ladder; after a series of high-scoring wins to open the year they’ve been tough to score on recently and the combination of dangerous attack and solid defence is a daunting one. They have three tough games still to go on this tour but another win here puts them in great shape to host at least a semi in May.
WHO'S HOT: Rene Ranger has been something of a revelation this season and his hard running and rugged defence has added a lot to the Blues backline. The form of the Blues outside backs is steadily improving and Isaia Toeava is another important member of the line, as he is a threat to everyone he plays against. Keven Mealamu has been in good form recently and will be asked for another big one this week, while Jerome Kaino’s power on either side of the ball is both impressive and a vital part of the Blues plan. Last year Bulls No 8 Pierre Spies played like Superman at home and a bit like Clark Kent on the road, but his performance at Perth suggests he’s remembered where the phone boxes are this season. He could hardly have been more dominant on the advantage line and is a player the Blues must contain. The experienced Bulls tight five, with Danie Rossouw performing strongly every week, has laid a series of good platforms and the world-class halfback pairing of Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn can be relied to use that ball and territory to maximum effect.
WE THINK: While the Bulls have never won at Eden Park, the 2010 side appeals as one of their best yet and is a definite championship contender. We’re going to pick the Bulls in this one, if only by 5-10 points in a match that will be one of the most physical battles all year.
TEAMS:
Blues: 1. Charlie Faumuina, 2.Keven Mealamu (captain), 3.John Afoa, 4.Kurtis Haiu, 5.Anthony Boric, 6.Jerome Kaino, 7.Serge Lilo, 8.Viliame Ma'afu, 9.Alby Mathewson, 10.Stephen Brett, 11.Rudi Wulf, 12.Benson Stanley, 13.Rene Ranger, 14.Joe Rokocoko, 15.Isaia Toeava.
Reserves: 16.Tom McCartney, 17.Tevita mailau, 18.Filo Paulo, 19.Peter Saili, 20.Chris Smylie, 21.Luke McAlister, 22. Paul Williams.
Bulls: 1.Gurthro Steenkamp, 2.Gary Botha, 3.Werner Kruger, 4.Danie Rossouw, 5.Victor Matfield (captain), 6.Deon Stegmann, 7.Dewald Potgieter, 8.Pierre Spies, 9.Fourie du Preez, 10.Morne Steyn, 11.Francois Hougaard, 12.Wynand Olivier, 13. Jaco Pretorius, 14.Gerhard van der Heever, 15.Zane Kirchner.
Reserves: 16.Bandise Maku, 17.Bees Roux, 18.Flip van der Merwe, 19.Jaco Engles or Derrick Kuun, 20. Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21.Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22. Pedrie Wannenburg.
REFEREE: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
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