White pays the ultimate compliment to 'phenomenal' Kurt-Lee
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White readily admits his team is not the finished product yet, but they have some real game-breakers that are starting to leave their mark on the Pretoria outfit.
While there is much to appreciate about the Bulls’ enviable forward-based game, they also possess backs capable of shredding opposition defences.
In fullback Kurt-Lee Arendse they have an attacker of the richest quality, and he provided the individual highlight through a blistering 60-metre solo score that saw him leave Dragons defenders in a state of bewilderment.
White waxed lyrical about the performance of Arendse in their 55-20 demolition of the Dragons at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.
The 25-year-old scored a regulation try in the first half, but it was a mesmeric effort in the second half that was the pick of the eight the Bulls scored.
“It’s phenomenal to have a fullback like that,” the Bulls boss said, adding: “Good sides have had good fullbacks like him.
“Jason Robinson, who played for England, could play like that.”
It is not just his running game, but he has a decent boot as well.
“Kurt-Lee, at one stage, where he kicked the ball nearly 60 metres – on an exit.
“So it’s not just about his attacking and running with the ball.
“I thought when he tried to pick the ball up, if he’d kicked the ball, he probably would have gone on and scored again.
“It’s lovely to have him here and he compliments what we have here.
“You have Harold [Vorster] and Lionel [Mapoe] playing well in the midfield.
“Canan [Moodie] is a youngster who is learning a lot.”
The win against the Dragons was the Bulls’ third consecutive win at home and their seventh overall this season.
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Come for the try, stay for the filthy Kurt-Lee Arendse step 😮💨#URC | @BlueBullsRugby | #BULvDRA pic.twitter.com/ehhaZJp1s4
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Having put 50 over the Cardiff Blues and the Dragons, the Bulls have now cemented their place in the top eight – the play-off zone – and a spot in the European Cup next season.
“One of the nice things is that last week, we played really well and this week, we scored another 50 points,” White said.
“You’ve got to be proud of that and the way we’re playing is also nice.
“There’s some good interplay between backs and forwards.
“It is nice to have forwards that can score from five metres out.
“It’s also nice to know you have outside backs like Kurt-Lee [Arendse], Madosh [Tambwe] and Cornal [Hendricks].
“We are not the finished product, but there is a lot to be proud of.
“It’s a tough competition as we saw the Sharks lose and Ulster were unlucky. We just need to take as many wins as we can.”
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