Bulls Starting to Make Excuse Already!

[Darren]

From: http://www.sarfu.org.za/default.asp?...icle&id=204631

Injuries will again be a major factor this week as the Bulls prepare to meet the Western Force in their Vodacom Super 14 rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night.

"There was great pressure on us to beat the Cheetahs, but we paid dearly for the victory," Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer said after the match here on Saturday.

"Richards Bands has torn calf muscles and will be out of action for five weeks. And Bryan Habana, who has a hip injury, will also be unable to play against the Force.

"There is also great concern about Fourie du Preez's rib injury and the knock that Chiliboy Ralepelle took against the head," Meyer said.

Other players have minor injuries that could rule them out of training on Monday.

"We will know only on Monday morning what the extent of the injury list is, because there are still questions about (flyhalf) Derick Hougaard.

"We may have to withdraw him from team practices for the whole week and consider him only for the match against the Chiefs (on February 24)," Meyer said.

"The intensity and pace of the match against the Cheetahs could compound matters by giving us a day less to recover."

VAN DER WESTHUIZEN BACK

The Force's victory over the Stormers was a warning to the Bulls, he added. "They are not as physical as the Cheetahs were, but they have a solid pack and sharp backs. Matt Giteau will make a huge difference to any team."

However, the Bulls have two prospects to which they can look forward to.

The first is that versatile Springbok Jaco van der Westhuyzen is back from Japan and can be considered for the match against the Western Australians.

The second is that the Bulls will have at least seven weeks before they come across a South African referee again.

Marius Jonker penalised them mercilessly in the match against the Cheetahs. At one stage, the penalty count was ten-one in favour of the visitors.

Meyer was unwilling to discuss Jonker's handling of the match but said he preferred New Zealand referees.

"We lost against the Sharks the previous week but I was among the first to congratulate Lyndon Bray (the New Zealand referee) on his performance," Meyer said.

He added that he would first evaluate Van der Westhuyzen, who arrived back in South Africa last week, but said players of that calibre added value to any team.

[Ecky]

'tis a pretty intense season and injuries usually play a big part. (Western Force, 2006)

Better to get the injuries out of the way early. But, having said that, I'm sure we don't mind playing a side weakened by injury - take any win any time, I say.

Shame Habana isn't playing, I'd have liked to see how our defence (very good so far) dealt with him.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

The Bulls play 10 man rugby. Im worried about us up front at the moment. We are not firing, like last year.

[.X.]

The Bulls play 10 man rugby. Im worried about us up front at the moment. We are not firing, like last year.

Patience grasshopper

[Egan]

Nice to see they are being warned.

[WF2006]

The Bulls play 10 man rugby. Im worried about us up front at the moment. We are not firing, like last year.

Agreed - bring back Darwin!

[frontrow]

We really do need to dig deep in the forwards if we are to be a Force, get it, a Force, hahahahahahaha

[Burgs]

You just qualified to be a journo frontrow

[Thequeerone]

Isn't it fun being 3rd on the ladder and the other teams taking us seriously - Fava will be cruified if we go down by a point though

[Greydemon]

I love to see Habana play, but when his team plays ours I love even more to see him in the stands.


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[frontrow]

hear hear....

[Mtbeaver]

We really do need to dig deep in the forwards if we are to be a Force, get it, a Force, hahahahahahaha

Are you having a good week? You've been cracking a lot of really really corny jokes lately!

[frontrow]

The weather up here is melting my brain, at least it is trying to...I need a holiday...

[Burgs]

Must be tough driving to that airconditioned office in your airconditioned vehicle from your airconditioned digs

Kidding dude

[Nick]

Well added into that they are also missing Bakkies Botha (lock), and Rayno Gerber their premier tight head prop Richard Brands another prop injured and Chilliboys injury ment that they had to use loose forward Derick Kunn as hooker against the Stormers so they are more than a bit stretched.

I dont blame them cursing the injury gods - thats there whole starting front row a great lock, a Springbok winger who is a serious threat and potetnially Du preez who can be very dangerous on attack!

I wouldn't write off the bulls at home but you would have to think that the Force couldn't get a better opportunity to beat the Bulls than this surely?

A week Bulls team with a damged backline and an understrength tight five and a Full strength Force! Fava not starting on the field shouldnt make a difference.