Bulls run over Brumbies late 50-32

[travelling_gerry]

Bulls run over Brumbies late 50-32

AAP February 21, 2010, 6:58 am
EPA © Enlarge photo




Springbok five-eighth Morne Steyn piled up 35 points as The Bulls produced an overpowering second half display to beat the Brumbies 50-32 in their Super 14 rugby match in Pretoria.
The Bulls scored five tries to three and hit back after trailing 27-20 early in the second half early Sunday, Australian time.
The defending champion Bulls then piled on 30 unanswered points to reach the half century for the second straight week and cement top spot with another bonus point win.
Tries in a four-minute period to winger Gerhard van den Heever and centre Wynand Olivier mid-way through the second half swung the match decisively.
The home team enjoyed more possession, but Brumbies coach Andy Friend would have derived consolation from some spirited play by his team and the performances of debutants Rocky Elsom and Matt Giteau.
Playing his first game after missing the opening round and two trials, Elsom looked hungry for action, producing a series of tackle-busting runs.
He scored one of the Brumbies' two first-half tries, brushing off and burrowing through and under three attempted tacklers and then set up a try for fellow flanker George Smith after picking off a loose pass and charging up the field.
The Brumbies led 15-6 after veteran centre Stirling Mortlock converted both tries.
However, the Bulls, who have now won their past 12 home games, roared back with two tries of their own to lead 20-18.
Halfback Fourie du Preez took advantage of an unintentional block by referee Mark Lawrence on Brumbies prop Ben Alexander to score the first and five-eighth Morne Steyn got the second after an impressive multi-phase buildup.
Mortlock kicked a penalty three minutes out from the break to give the Brumbies a 21-20 halftime lead, though Steyn was just off target with a late field goal attempt.
Giteau increased the lead to 24-20 with a 47-metre field goal 75 seconds into the second half, after another purposeful ball carry from Elsom.
A Mortlock penalty in the 51st minute extended the lead to seven, but Steyn answered in kind to pull the gap back to four.
Van den Heever gave the Bulls the lead when he toed ahead and regathered a loose ball from a lineout which cruelly bounced away from Giteau.
Olivier quickly added another try and Steyn also crossed as the Bulls surged out of sight before winger Pat McCabe posted a late five-pointer for the Brumbies.
"I said before the game that our discipline was going to be crucial and we gave away too many penalties again, so we've only got ourselves to blame," Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles said in his post-match interview.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...es-late-50-32/

[Burgs]

Bulls defeat Brumbies 50-32 in Super 14 clash at Loftus Versfeld

From correspondents in Pretoria, South Africa
February 21, 2010 .

South Africa five-eighth Morne Steyn has piled up 35 points as the Bulls produced an overpowering second-half to beat the Brumbies 50-32 in their Super 14 match in Pretoria.

The Bulls scored five tries to three and hit back after trailing 27-20 early in the second half.

The defending-champion Bulls then piled on 30 unanswered points to reach the half century for the second straight week and cement top spot with another bonus-point win.

Tries in a four-minute period to winger Gerhard van den Heever and centre Wynand Olivier mid-way through the second half swung the match decisively.

The home team enjoyed more possession, but Brumbies coach Andy Friend would have derived consolation from some spirited play by his team and the performances of debutants Rocky Elsom and Matt Giteau.

Playing his first game after missing the opening round and two trials, Elsom looked hungry for action, producing a series of tackle-busting runs.

He scored one of the Brumbies' two first-half tries, brushing off and burrowing through and under three attempted tacklers and then set up a try for fellow flanker George Smith after picking off a loose pass and charging up the field.

The Brumbies led 15-6 after veteran centre Stirling Mortlock converted both tries.

However, the Bulls, who have now won their past 12 home games, roared back with two tries of their own to lead 20-18.

Halfback Fourie du Preez took advantage of an unintentional block by referee Mark Lawrence on Brumbies prop Ben Alexander to score the first and five-eighth Morne Steyn got the second after an impressive multi-phase build-up.

Mortlock kicked a penalty three minutes out from the break to give the Brumbies a 21-20 half-time lead, though Steyn was just off target with a late field goal attempt.

Giteau increased the lead to 24-20 with a 47-metre field goal 75 seconds into the second half, after another purposeful ball carry from Elsom.

A Mortlock penalty in the 51st minute extended the lead to seven, but Steyn answered in kind to pull the gap back to four.

Van den Heever gave the Bulls the lead when he toed ahead and regathered a loose ball from a lineout which cruelly bounced away from Giteau.

Olivier quickly added another try and Steyn also crossed as the Bulls surged out of sight before winger Pat McCabe posted a late five-pointer for the Brumbies.

"I said before the game that our discipline was going to be crucial and we gave away too many penalties again, so we've only got ourselves to blame," Brumbies captain Stephen Hoiles said in his post-match interview.

Agence France-Presse

[mudskipper]

Some good signs for the Brumbies... They had the Bulls rattled for a good part of the match... However they gave up too many penalties in the second half and so very 50/50 calls went against them...

Pat McCabe picked up his first S14 try... congrats...

[Burgs]

7 point lead at 51 minutes to a 23 point deficet with a couple of minutes to go, you're kidding yourself mud.
Real Madrid? More like Real de Asesinato...

[shasta]

7 point lead at 51 minutes to a 23 point deficet

Yeah.....well that's what happens when you warehouse so many Wallabies, I suppose. Some of the Wallaby habits rub off on the rest of the squad.

[robyn <3]

I dunno about anyone else, but in my rugby-watching room last night there was a very bitter and angry feeling directed at Mortlock. The Robyn-household agrees the man can't tackle legally any more, after that horror hit on was it DHP last week. Every hit he made last night was high.

And the wonder-child Giteau? Who wasn't tackled ONCE in the first half? Dad and I were rather childishly happy when the Bulls winger scored a charming try due to Giteau's lack of commitment to throw himself on a loose ball he couldn't pick up.

Anyway, I enjoyed the Bulls' game. Can't WAIT til they play in Perth.

Brumbies looked like little kids out there.

[mudskipper]

Brumbies will be there at the end of the season... Last years champs the Bulls still have their road trip ahead...

They had a lucky night bounce of the ball, a knock on try given, and the Ref blocking alexander defending on the line... They wont always be lucky, its only week 2...

[welshrugbyfan]

and the Ref blocking alexander defending on the line... They wont always be lucky, its only week 2...

That was dead set just not on. South African ref as well, Mr Lawrence was awesome at 16.

[beige]

Wouldn't have looked out of place in the NFL that one...

[jargan83]

They had a lucky night bounce of the ball, a knock on try given, and the Ref blocking alexander defending on the line... They wont always be lucky, its only week 2...

If the Brumbies were good enough they would have overcome that

[mudskipper]

Oliviers knock on try? Thats -14 points... They still would have lost... The Brumbies were only dominate for 50 minutes which is not good enough against most teams let alone the champs...

However looking into my oval crystal ball I see the Bulls have peaked with their aging squad and the long road trip east will be most telling fro the men from Pretoria... Where as the Brumbies have rebuilt an impressive squad of youth and experience and are on the raise to greater things...

[jargan83]

Oliviers knock on try? Thats -14 points...

Not the first time a Try has been wrongfully awarded in the history of Rugby......and probably won't be the last

[GIGS20]

But Jargs, you don't understand it was all the ref's fault....that way the Brumbies are still perfect, even though they've spluttered to an unconvincing win against an injury ravaged Force and then been spanked by the Bulls.

How about we give you the 14 points Muddy? then you can say the Brumbies were good enough to get a losing bonus point!

[AndyS]

Personally, I thought Alexander would have been lucky to catch him and wouldn't have stopped him even if he had, he was too close to the line - at best, the ref's block allowed him to improve the position.

On the whole though, I didn't think the Brumbies were actually that far off the pace. Elsom in particular was huge. It is going to be an interesting one to tip this weekend.

[shasta]

Anyone know when Matt Giteau is going to get back to playing?