VIDEO: The big Leinster trap Bulls want to avoid
SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls are not letting talk of ‘second-string’ or ‘B-teams’ infiltrate their camp ahead of their United Rugby Championship final-round clash against Leinster in Pretoria on Saturday.
Jake White’s side will enter the match at Loftus Versfeld looking to secure a favourable log position for the upcoming quarterfinals as well as secure qualification into next’s season’s Champions Cup.
To qualify for Europe, the Bulls will need to finish in the top seven. Wales are guaranteed representation in the Champions Cup, despite none of their teaming having a chance of finishing in the top eight.
With the Leinster squad shorn of several international stars, the Bulls should be favourites for Saturday’s match. However, the Irish giants have shown countless times how good their depth really is.
They managed to grind out a 39-36 win against the Lions at Ellis Park last weekend after being down 21-36 heading into the last quarter. Before that match, Leinster fought back from being 0-17 down to the Stormers in Dublin before securing a 22-22 draw.
After those results, the Bulls will not be letting their guard one bit as they look to become the first team beat Leinster this season.
“We don’t worry too much about who is playing and who is not playing. For us, we are playing against Leinster and we are treating it as such,” said Bulls lock Ruan Vermaak.
“We are prepping as if we are playing the best team in the competition.
“It doesn’t matter which side they bring, we are just focusing on the game and making sure that we get the result.”
Vermaak added: “We all know the situation in terms of the standings and where we can end, but we don’t want to focus too much on it.
“I think the important thing for us is to be right mentally and to give our best and get as many points as we can this weekend.
“Whatever comes after that we will accept it.
“We want to go out every weekend to perform and win and it is the same for this weekend.”
The last time these two teams met was in a URC semifinal last season where the Bulls shocked everyone by recording a 27-26 win in Dublin.
That result could also serve as motivation for Leinster to try and set the record straight.
“I would like to think that it might be in the back of their heads,” said Vermaak.
“However, they are also a very professional team, so I don’t think they want to get too many emotions involved in this game.
“I won’t be surprised if it is still in the back of their heads to get the win over us here at Loftus.”
@rugby365com
