Frans kicks critics into touch
The failure to execute, rather that the game plan itself, is what is causing the biggest headache for Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
Ludeke and the Bulls have again come under fire – as happens every year – because of their much-maligned kicking, following a 16-31 loss to the Sharks in their Super Rugby season opener in Durban last week.
The Bulls mentor, Ludeke, admitted that any team must have an "allround game" and there must be "variation" on attack.
However, it was the kicking game of his flyhalf, Louis Fouché, and scrumhalf, Francois Hougaard, the copped the most flak.
Ludeke, in an interview with this website ahead of their Round Two encounter with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday, said it was not the tactics that contributed to the team's under-par performance, but rather the failure execute properly.
"We created good opportunities in the first half against the Sharks, got into strong positions to score points, but just did not finish it off," the Bulls mentor said.
Ludeke said the other aspect he felt needed attention was the breakdown. The manner in which Springbok Marcell Coetzee won turnovers is something they looked at this past week.
"We focussed on the [Bulls'] ball carriers, protecting the ball and how the entire team reacts at the breakdown points."
The Bulls coach also felt that this week – facing the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein – presents them with an entirely different situation.
The high humidity of Durban presents its own complications.
"We know it will be very different," Ludeke said of his team's trip to Bloemfontein, adding: "We have worked hard on ensuring we have a good strategy in place."
And against the Cheetahs the value of a good kicking game also can't be underestimated.
"It is all about decision-making. There are times when you are on the backfoot, under pressure, inside your own area – then it is important to ensure you get go-forward when you have the ball in hand."
He added that it is important to look when there is space and attack where there is space.
He admitted there were times against the sharks when they had good momentum, had the ball on the front foot, where they could have utilised that possession better.
"We will take the criticism that come our way, because there were certainly opportunities where we could have attacked [with ball in hand]," the Bulls mentor said.
"That we must improve this [coming] weekend.
"It is all about the conditions, the decision-making of No.9 and No.10, fullback, even No.12. Those guys must help each other with the decision-making."
Ludeke said those are "not big issues", with some of it related to a breakdown of communication between players.
"Those are all things that can be corrected and we have worked hard and corrected the issues.
"We are going into the game [against the Cheetahs] with confidence.
"Yes, you must have an allround game, you must be able to beat the defence with ball in hand, but tactically you also have to be able to identify space and attack that. You must have variation on attack."
By Jan de Koning
