Croke Park is 'pitch perfect' for the Bulls
Come rain or shine, the Bulls will ‘enjoy the occasion’ and give it a good crack.
That is the message from coach Johan Ackermann and captain Marcell Coetzee ahead of their United Rugby Championship Final face-off against Leinster at Páirc an Chrócaigh in Dublin on Friday.
The one aspect the Bulls will enjoy is the immaculate surface of the Croke Park pitch.
Croke Park features a natural, 100 percent grass surface composed of a specialised blend of Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis) and Perennial Ryegrass.
This is grown specifically for the strength and stability required in Gaelic Games.
The pitch does not use artificial fibres, instead relying on a sand-based rootzone and advanced turf management technology
The turf is harvested directly from the GAA’s own 67-acre farm in The Naul, North County Dublin.
This allows freshly harvested turf to be delivered and laid on the stadium pitch within three hours
“I told the coach [Ackermann], the pitch is in grand condition,” Coetzee told Rugby365, adding: “The weather is playing along as well.
“It is going to be a great occasion.
“It is a privilege to play in this stadium, knowing the history of the stadium, and what it represents for the people of Ireland.
“For us to come here again and play a Final is a great opportunity, and we look to make the best of it.”
(WATCH as Bulls coach Johan Ackermann and captain Marcell Coetzee preview their URC Final face-off against Leinster…..)
Coetzee, with 31 Test caps for South Africa and almost 300 first-class games, including 59 for Irish province Ulster, is yet to taste victory in a URC Final.
The 2020–21 Pro14 Players’ Player of the Season in his final season with Ulster, won runners-up medals four times, Rainbow Cup (2021) and URC (2022, 2024 and 2025).
“I have been privileged enough to play a few URC Finals, obviously not going all the way, but this is an opportunity,” he said of Friday’s big face-off.
“It was great character shown by the team [this season], and it was an enjoyable journey.
“I rate it as one of the best venues to play on, so it will be a great occasion.”
Asked about his message to the team, he said he will tell them to “enjoy the moment”.
“You must show gratitude for being in a Final and seize the moment.”
With a chance of rain and dropping temperatures late in the afternoon and early evening, Ackermann said they already have a plan on how they want to play, and will assess the conditions when they arrive at Croke Park before making a call on tweaking their approach.
“Regardless of the conditions, we know that we have to match Leinster’s physicality and intensity,” Ackermann said.
“They [the weather forecasters] said it was going to rain today [Thursday], and here we are baking in the sun.
“Whatever the conditions, we have to deal with that and enjoy the moment.
“If it rains, it will rain for both teams, and we will deal with it on the day.”
Ackermann said he will tell the team not to “overthink” things and the match.
“I try to keep my nerves calm.
“I will see where we are tomorrow [Friday], and you usually get a feeling during the warm-up whether you must say anything, or trust the players that they are ready.
“What we did through the season is what got us here.”
Starting well and keeping up the intensity are key aspects for the coach.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
