Robbie Deans thinks the Reds will beat the Bulls this weekend at Loftus. I still think he is dreaming! Bulls coach, Frans Ludeke has named his starting XV for the game against the Reds and he has gone with probably his strongest possible lineup. His big guns are all there: the likes of Matfield, du Preez, Botha, Spies and Habana. Surely there is no way this Bok studded XV can loose to the Reds on their own home turf.
The lineup is: 15 Zane Kirchner; 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana; 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez; 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Derick Kuun, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 Heini Adams, 21 Burton Francis, 22 JP Nel.
The Reds have also named their starting XV for the match and it looks like this:
15 Peter Hynes, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Charlie Fetoai, 12 Berrick Barnes (c), 11 Brando Va’aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Adam Byrnes, 4 Van Humphries, 3 Dayna Edwards, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Robert Simmons, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Will Genia, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Mark McLinden.
Of interest in that lineup is former All Black flanker, Daniel Braid making his Super Rugby debut for the Reds. I like Berrick Barnes as a player and will be keeping a close eye on him and seeing if he can penetrate the Bulls midfield with his intelligent play. I see the Bulls winning this match in the forwards as the Reds do not have much to offer against the Bulls in that department. I see the Bulls winning this one with relative comfort.
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3 comments
Guru says:
Feb 11, 2009
The Reds winger Digby Ioane has been on fire, scoring 3 tries vs the Brumbies in the pre-season. Do not forget Quade Cooper at 10. Do not be fooled into thinking the Bulls will have a walk in the park Ron, especially when you consider how disastrous their pre-season results have been. Another consideration is the inconsistency that the Bulls can display at times. Do not count your chickens before they hatch boss. It will be an interesting game, can’t help but feel that the Bulls could make this easier or more difficult, depending on how they feel on the day.
BP says:
Feb 11, 2009
the reds have some good players in ioane, cooper, braid, barnes etc, but that leroy houston is a pie thief and i thought he was a prop first time i saw him….he wont be doing the reds any favours, but as you say Guru, the bulls can make it as easy or as hard as they want, depends what team turns up on the day
kambas says:
Feb 12, 2009
i agree with guru, the reds have an amazing manager and to top it off key guys in key positions, barnes as we know is pretty consistent as well as daniel braid who may not be the best player on the field but his movement and stamina make him valuable ot any team that he plays for. Ione’s finishing has been on point in the off season so its really hard to count them out in my book.
BUt smart money is on the bulls to win irregardless of the woeful form in pre-season. but the game will be won and lost in the mid field me thinks and pretorius is SUSPECT!!!! i said it.