VIDEO: Bulls out to mute Buenos Aires
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls are determined to produce yet another stellar performance in their mission to silence the passionate Buenos Aires crowd.
The Bulls kicked off their Super Rugby campaign with a magnificent 40-3 win over the Stormers in Pretoria at the weekend.
The Pretoria franchise outclassed their fellow South Africans, they dominated the line-outs and nullified the Stormers’ attack.
This week the Bulls travel to Buenos Aires, a place where it is extremely difficult to pick up a victory. The last time the visitors suffered a 24-54 defeatto the Jaguares in May 2018.
However, a great deal has changed since the Bulls’ previous visit to Argentina. The most prominent modifications are the Bulls’ new coach Pote Human, the acquisition of two Springboks stalwarts Duane Vermeulen and Schalk Brits, while the backline has been boosted with BlitzBok sensation Rosko Specman and former Springboks wing Cornel Hendricks.
In contrast, Jaguares have lost the services of the mercurial Nicolás Sánchez – taking out one tactic that they utilized so successful in the past.
“We executed our game-plan really well against the Stormers and if we can just continue with that, we can do well in Argentina,” head coach Human told reporters.
“What worries me about last week, was that in the opening minutes we gave away six penalties which kept them [Stormers] in the game, however after that, we played very well,” he added.
Aside from acknowledging his team’s flaws during their ‘near-perfect’ performance, Human has identified key target areas where the Jaguares are formidable.
“We have to put their set-piece under pressure,” he said.
“The Jaguares strive on their forwards, but we have to stop them, particularly their big ball carriers. I think we also have to slow down their ball.
“Having said that, it’s going to be tough taking on the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, especially when the crowd gets behind them then they really play with passion.
“Whenever they get momentum it’s difficult to stop them,”
The Bulls take on the Jaguares followed by the much-anticipated match against the Lions in Johannesburg.
By Leezil Hendricks
@leezil07
@rugby365com
