Bulls boss shares the 'findings' of self-examination
SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls head to Cape Town on Saturday to face a dangerous Western Province team, having finally ended the frustration and chagrin of a horrid 10-match losing streak.
It may be a Currie Cup match, but it is likely to be another indication of just how far the Pretoria outfit is on the road to ‘recovery’ ahead of next week’s big North-South United Rugby Championship quarterfinal – also in Cape Town.
In the last north-south encounter – a Round Two Currie Cup fixture at Loftus Versfeld – WP beat the Bulls 41-33.
It was during that ignominious 10-match losing streak.
However, the turning point was the 28-32 Currie Cup loss to the Griffons in Welkom on April 1.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White – in a joint decision – replaced Currie Cup coach Edgar Marutlulle and demoted him to age group coaching.
A week later he sent his frontline troops into battle – breaking the losing streak with a 40-3 rout of Griquas in the Currie Cup Round Five outing at Loftus.
That was followed by Currie Cup wins over the Sharks and Lions, followed by URC wins over Zebre (78-12) and last week’s 62-7 rout of the under-strength Leinster touring team.
However, for Bulls President Willem Strauss it is much better than losing and a clear sign that the amendatory and antidotal measures taken are working.
Strauss gave a number of reasons for both the losing streak and the subsequent flamboyant and eye-catching turnaround.
In both arguments – the reasons for the losing streak and current winning run – the Director of Rugby, Jake White, featured prominently.
Below are Strauss’ reasons for what went wrong and how they remedied it this season:
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Why did we lose form?
1) The life-threatening illness of Director of Rugby Jake had a massive impact
2) There was a playing schedule from hell during December and January, which included seven away games and three soul-destroying trips via economy class to Europe (something that should never happen again)
3) Marcell Coetzee leaving for Japan
4) We were under-prepared and had no identity for the Currie Cup team when we started the campaign. That was our mistake
5) There was also just plain bad luck, losing six games with one score and/or one play
All of the above then lead to a loss of confidence and momentum.
How did we get back on track?
1) Jake White recovered and his incredible resilience helped facilitate the turnaround
2) Our players also took accountability
3) Corrections were made where needed
4) Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie are back in the team
5) Sound and sober leadership from the board and stakeholders contributed
All of the above then lead to regaining confidence and momentum.
“Lessons were learned and we will continue our strive to becoming the world’s leading franchise on and off the field.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
