Super 14 2009- The Bulls

There is never any good news around Christmas time and certainly not with all the speculation going around about a certain Matt G. No, no thats too obvious we'll call him M. Giteau. To take your mind off it go and get a drink, sit down, relax and have a read of the Bulls write up for 2009!

Form from 2008
Pretty average. Was it the coach? Was it the ELVs? Was it the players resting on their laurels after being 2007 champions? Probably a bit of all three. The Bulls just didn't seem to enjoy it in 2008. Frans Ludeke came in for Meyer and suddenly they drop from 1st to 10th. The Bulls are really going to have to come into 2009 with a renewed focus and pure passion if they want to make an impact this year. Du Preez, Habana, Matfield and a number of other stars will need to regain the form that saw them hold both the Super 14 trophy and the World Cup last year because quite frankly they've not played a good game in a fair while. On the Currie Cup front the Bulls were up there once again but the Sharks managed to get their revenge for the 2007 Super 14 in the final. Game one versus the Reds will be a major decider in how their season will go. If they don't win and win well they are going to be floating round the bottom of the ladder come May.

Comings and Goings
Much of the Bulls core squad has stayed on from last year and there are only really two big losses but are offset by two in the other column. Inspirational workhorse Wikus van Heerden has been plying his trade in Toulon recently. He is the kind of player who never plays a bad game and playing amongst a forward pack lacking a bit in mobility was essential to the success of the Bulls. He will be sorely missed. The experienced Derrick Hougaard has moved to Leicester to be with former coach Heyneke Meyer. While not a brilliant player he suited the Bulls style and was a very reliable kicker. While not irreplaceable his kind of experience doesn't grow overnight.

A big sigh of relief went around Pretoria earlier this year as former captain and superstar Victor Matfield walked away from big money offers around Europe to link back up with his former franchise. While being a pretty average captain, Matfield is a match winner. Like van Heerden he is one of the essential keys that make the Bulls machine work. If he can find his form again you can bet the Bulls as a team will too. The Bulls have also snagged Lions utility back Jaco Pretorius. Pretorius may just be the answer to a couple of questions in the Bulls backline and may benefit from being with a better team than the Lions.

Keep and eye on....
Chiliboy Ralepelle has spent the last few years in the wilderness after a promising career start was disrupted by injuries. He's coming into this Super 14 fully fit and I'll be betting eager to continue where he left off a few years back. After captaining the Boks to a non-cap fixture the future is bright for this young hooker and many consider him to be a future Bulls and Springboks captain. The tussle for the starting hooker jersey with the talented Derrick Kuun may just see the pair bring out the best in each other and put a little bit of zip in the Bulls pack

A lot will rest on the shoulders of Morne Steyn this year. He has blown hot and cold a bit in the past and there has never really been a team that has won the Super 14 without an experienced and consistent fly-half. Carter, Larkham, Spencer and Mehrtens were/are all supremely talented fly-halves who were first choice for their country in their time so Steyn will have to make great strides to keep up with them. At 25 in 2009 he has reached a bit of a crossroads. We will have to wait and see if he comes out and stamps his name down for Springbok selection or if he fades back into the kind of mediocrity seen a few years back when, in the Currie Cup, rumour had it then Blue Bulls captain Gary Botha tried to injure Steyn, his team mate, just to get him off the field. We'll just have to sit back and see.

Prediction for 2009
This are already looking a little concerning with a big cock-up regarding the player camp in George. Rather than fostering a team spirit and a feeling of 'union' Ludeke and a number of key players- du Preez, Matfield and Habana- had alternative accomodation arrangements quoted to be far surpassing that of their colleagues. Tempers worsened when players were expected to pay for all their meals as well. Ludeke doesn't seem to be a popular man in Pretoria and his days will be numbered unless the team provides some outstanding results. It will take a lot of cooperation and a big effort from all those in the Bulls camp to turn around last years results and return to finals contention. I just don't think they have it in them. The ELVs don't suit their style of play and Ludeke just isn't the quality of coach to make it work for them. In terms of the squad, while they still have a number of their major players a lot of the guys who really made them look good aren't there to even out the squad. Guys like Gary Botha, van Heerden, Derrick Hougaard and Johan Roets aren't around anymore and their replacements just can't do it like they do. I predict a bit of a rough year for the Bulls, probably ending in Ludeke being fired. I predict 11th.

I would have expected the bulls to do better than 10th. But after reading your review and noting how many players have moved on it looks to be a rebuilding year for the Bulls. They'll still be dangerous on their day and always are tough at home. Still have some world-class talent I'll rate them 8th in 2009.

In with a HUGE shot now Maitfield has returned, still miss Meyer and hhe took Hougaard with him.

Plenty of games at home to kick off and the last 4 in South Africa , with a return to form for Habana, as well as a Final appearance in the Currie Cup , they will go close to the Top4 , but will finish top 6.

Their games against NSW and ACT away will decide their season like it did in 07