Battered Bulls prepare for life without Duane
SUPER RUGBY REACTION: It will be extremely tough for the Bulls to qualify for this year’s Super Rugby play-offs after their defeat to the Brumbies on Friday.
Pote Human’s side are still in the top eight in the overall standings after that 10-22 loss, but with just three games left, they will need to get some points over the next two weekends in New Zealand.
The Bulls head to Auckland face the Blues in Round 16 before finishing their tour with another tough encounter against the Highlanders in Dunedin. The Bulls finish the regular season with a home match against the Lions in Pretoria.
If that is not hard enough, the Bulls will be without Springbok Duane Vermeulen for their remaining matches on tour. The Bulls also lost the services of Bok flyhalf Handre Pollard earlier on tour due to injury
“Vermeulen is also going back to South Africa – he must rest for the next two games according to Bok protocols,” Human confirmed to reporters after the match in Canberra.
Meanwhile, there was some concern that Vermeulen’s injury he suffered against the Brumbies was serious, but the Springbok took to social media to ease fears amongst fans.
The big No.8 left the field with his arm wrapped in his jersey.
“Maybe not the best way to walk off the field but luckily everything is ok just major stiffness in my neck and shoulder,” he said in an Instagram post.
With another experienced player unavailable, Human will be hoping some of the youngsters in his squad will lift their game.
“It’s going to be tough but like I said there are youngsters that must now stand up and show that they are worth playing in this competition,” Human added.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
