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Bulls v Reds, preview
May 04, 2007 - 6:32am
Story by: Sportal
Venue & time
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Sunday May 6, 3.10 (AEST)
Head to head
Played 11: Reds 7, Bulls 4.
Last time
April 15, 2006, (Brisbane). Reds 20-19 Bulls
Walking wounded and team changes
Hard-running centre JP Nel is out for this match. His place is taken by Wayne Julies. Talented scrumhalf Fourie du Preez earns a rest as does lock Bakkies Botha, with both starting from the bench. Heini Adams will wear the No.9 jersey and Danie Rossouw starts in the second row.
Reds coach Eddie Jones is yet to announce his team, but there didn't appear to be many injury concerns from last week's loss to the Stormers.
Form
The Bulls are charging to their third semi-final appearance in as many seasons and have been playing strong disciplined rugby. The Bulls have won their last three starts convincingly with wins over the Lions and Stormers before easily accounted for the Blues last weekend.
The Reds have been playing some of their best rugby in recent weeks. They scored their second win of the season taming the Cheetahs in Brisbane before pushing the Stormers last week in Cape Town and shouldn't be written off as easybeats.
Who's hot
Bulls flankers Pedrie Wannenburg and Wikus van Heerden have been in fantastic form and have been in everything on the field, including scoring tries in recent matches. Winger Bryan Habana is at his dangerous best while fullback Johan Roets has also been in playing well.
Reds lock Mitch Chapman played a big game against the Stormers last week as did fullback Clinton Schifcofske. The dynamic between flyhalf Quade Cooper and inside centre Berrick Barnes is also developing into a potent attacking weapon.
Teams
Bulls:
1.Guthro Steenkamp,
2. Gary Botha,
3. Rayno Gerber,
4. Danie Rossouw,
5. Victor Matfield (c),
6. Pedrie Wannenburg,
7. Wikus van Heerden,
8. Pierre Spies,
9. Heini Adams,
10. Derick Hougaard,
11. Bryan Habana,
12. Wynand Olivier,
13. Wayne Julies,
14. Akona Ndungane,
15. Johan Roets.
16. Jaco Engels,
17. Danie Thiart,
18. Bakkies Botha,
19. Derrick Kuun,
20. Fourie du Preez,
21. Morne Steyn,
22. Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
Reds: (likely line-up).
1. Tama Tuirirangi,
2. Stephen Moore,
3. David Te Moana,
4. Ed O'Donoghue,
5. James Horwill,
6. Mitch Chapman,
7. David Croft,
8. John Roe (c),
9. Nic Berry,
10. Quade Cooper,
11. Brando Va'aulu,
12. Berrick Barnes,
13. Ben Tune.
14. Andrew Walker,
15. Clinton Schifcofske.
16. Sean Hardman,
17. Herman Hunt,
18. Cam Treloar,
19. Tom McVerry,
20. Will Genia,
21. Andrew Brown,
22. Henari Veratau.
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