Bulls Analysis.........for a change

Bulls - 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Gürthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Jaco Engels, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Pedrie Wannenburg, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Heinie Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 JP Nel.


Well it looks like Frans was impressed by Chilliboy's display off the bench last week. I was too. It seems like Derick Kuun is the FETCHER replacement this weekend, which is why they have the two props on the bench as Jaco Engels comes into the squad.

Kuun is going to fulfill Deon Stegman’s role in this game - or at least in the 2nd half once either Rossouw or Bakkies comes off.

That is a major shift, as it may be the first indication that Kuun will eventually resume his fetcher flank role which has become more important as demonstrated by Stegman’s value this season (my appreciation for him was dented by the red card).And of coz Luke Watson at the Stormers.

So the Bulls have two props and two flanks on the bench this week, which attempts to addresses both their fetching problems and their scrumming problems experienced against the Highlanders.

This is made possible by having Danie Rossouw who can double as a lock replacement if necessary.

Will it work?

Personally, I would have started with Kuun on the flank, with Rossouw on the bench. But then again, maybe a good fetcher is more important in the 2nd half when the game loosens up a bit, and after the hard men have softened up the opposition.

I feel this will be a very important game in the bigger scheme of things for Roy's team. A win will show that the Highlanders loss was just a brief dip in concentration, whereas a loss might derail the tour altogether.

Let’s hope that the return of the big guns has the necessary effect on the Bulls, who disappointed even me greatly last weekend. Otherwise this is a pretty good looking side and they may turn the tables around to keep Roy's quotable quote in safe mode.