Bulls shrug off loss
Pretoria - Loftus Versfeld was a strange place to be on Monday after Saturday’s epic derby in Cape Town between the Bulls and Stormers, but only because it seemed that the 20-17 loss hardly affected the home side as they went about their business preparing for the Crusaders this Saturday.
While debates raged on across the country about the game and its result, the Bulls firmly put it behind them, smiling and working hard at Monday’s training session ahead of another bone-crunching encounter this coming weekend.
It is true that the team felt that a number of 50-50 decisions went against them at Newlands, including the controversial last penalty that allowed the Stormers to sneak the result, but they were also complimentary about the Stormers and the part they played in a great game of rugby.
In short, the Bulls won’t get too worried about the result, mainly as there are still 11 rounds of Super Rugby to be played, and as we all know by now, a week is a long time in this competition.
Still, with the bragging rights firmly in the Cape, they know all too well they need to win their home clash against the seven-time champions this weekend if they are to make a firm run at the conference title later in the season.
And with just six rounds gone, there were both positives and negatives for them to work on as they looked towards this coming weekend.
For one, the Bulls will be disappointed with their own discipline, as 15 penalties and a yellow card certainly won’t win them too many games this season, but in the positive column, their fightback after a poor first half will buoy them knowing they are not too far off the pace against the side setting the pace in the competition.
That’s why forwards coach Johan van Graan was one of many still smiling on Monday, even though there were some grumpy spectators across the country who were disappointed with the result.
“We would have liked to win and after 77 minutes we were still in that game. The result didn’t go our way, but from a South African viewpoint it was a great derby between two of the top teams in the competition. The Stormers were very good in the first half and placed us under a lot of pressure, but we were very proud of how the guys came back from 14-0 down to 17-all,” said Van Graan. “We are in the business of winning, and while it was a great game, we wanted to win it, and won’t be satisfied with the loss.”
But while they aren’t satisfied in losing, the Bulls know that a lot of water still has to flow under the bridge, and now they know just where they stand, and how much work they have to do to get back to the top.
There are no panic stations at Loftus, but rather a realisation of the importance of the game the team will face this weekend.
“We don’t look too far ahead - there are still 11 rounds ahead in the competition. All we can do is to prepare for the Crusaders, and they have shown their class. The games between the Bulls and Crusaders in the last few years were great games. It remains a massive challenge for us to face them and we’re not looking too hard at the log at the moment. We will take it week for week,” Van Graan added.
“We gave away too many penalties and we will work at it. We adapted better in the second half and we know we have to adapt to the referee. We can’t control his calls, but that which we can control, we weren’t good enough on the weekend. We will be better.”
That said the Bulls probably will relish their unfamiliar role of chasing the Stormers in the conference. For a side which had lost so much talent after the World Cup, it is quite astonishing to see the transformation from unknowns to contenders to a team grappling with their own personality in these early weeks of Super Rugby.
And while no loss is good in anyone’s books, the Bulls may well have found the silver lining in their cloud. It came by being taught a few lessons of their own at Newlands on Saturday.
Ren%c3%a9 - 2012-04-02 21:01
Good on my Bulls team!!!! Unlike another team who has already won the competition in week 5, my team, Sharks, Cheetahs, and Lions are still preparing for the next match, and the next and the next...... Cannot wait to be measured against a real Champion side, the Crusaders!! Two of the best teams in the history of the competition!!!
Cassandra Olivier - 2012-04-02 21:06
This year the Sharks are going to win and don't forget one mistake can cost you
René - 2012-04-02 21:09
@Cassandra, happy for you!! And what mistake would that be?
Ren%c3%a9 - 2012-04-02 21:19
@Sakkie, julle klomp Stormers supporters (van julle in elke geval), lewe in 'n droom land rerig. Ek is super bly julle is so super happy omdat julle die Bulle geklop het, ek verkies eerder my span moet benchmark teen 'n 7 x Champion side. Ek het my voorkeure, jy het joune. Soos hulle se in die artikel - BUSINESS AS USUAL - nothing is lost - but valuable lessons are learned! Jy's geregtig op jou opinie, al is dit elke keer dieselfde oor en oor en oor - en ek is geregtig op myne - Capeesh????
1703mal - 2012-04-02 21:20
Crusaders definitely! Bulls not in same league.
René - 2012-04-02 21:36
@Isak, your argument carries NO weight! Crusaders best in competition, Bulls/Blues are the only other 2 teams who have won it 3 times. The Crusaders respect us as we do respect them. Maybe that is something foreign to you.... Respect!
Alan - 2012-04-03 06:11
Rene is eintlik n man, sy of hy is meisiekind se skuilnaam.
Ruan - 2012-04-03 07:00
Saffa - 2012-04-03 10:43
ai tog Gogo Rene is so bitter en suur........
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 10:58
Rene. Jys praat alles so waar. Ek staan 100% agter jou.
Cassandra Olivier - 2012-04-02 21:02
I hope they don't play in that ugly colour again
Saffa - 2012-04-02 21:06
Thanks for clarifying that, we all know and agree that the Bulls did not lose to the Stormers, Craig Joubert was just not gonna allow a Bulls win! It was pathetic, Stormers getting that last penalty that was clearly a Bulls penalty. So for the Stormers, you actually can't claim the Bulls/Lions/Sharks wins, all ref assisted. Downward spiral starting this very Saturday for you when you have a few Aussie/NZ refs who are not gonna do you any favours. 19 years cupless in Super rugby
René - 2012-04-02 21:15
@Dr, it is really time for you to upgrade your name!! Daardie naampie van jou het 'n baie slegte konotasie. LoL I hate blaming the ref, maar daardie laaste ou scrum, rerig, om so in die openbaar te crook! Hoe slaap die mense in die aand??? Oneerbare spul se ek vir jou. Ek verloor eerder, voordat my span op so manier moet wen!
Tertius - 2012-04-02 21:16
who clarified what? Its just the bulls players being as sour as their supporters.
1703mal - 2012-04-02 21:19
Typical Bull supporter. Always the ref.
Ren%c3%a9 - 2012-04-02 21:27
@Jaco, naand daar! Business as usual, die kompetisie is nog laaaaank - ek gee nooit om te verloor nie - dit gebeur in elke geval min genoeg - no biggy!! Dit pla baie ander Bull supporters soos ek maar lees - my nie rerig nie - 'n paar ander besluite het ons gekelder.... Dit was 'n dodgy besluit - no argument there!!
Eugene - 2012-04-02 21:28
fakey ek sien jy troll alweer oor die ref julle die game gekos het . Wat van die voorentoe aangee wat ou Gragy oor gesien het met ou meisiekind se drie ? ;)en Rene ditto vir jou die pienkes sou nie eers n bonus punt gekry het as gregy reg geblaas het nie so hou op om die ref te blame .
Marco - 2012-04-02 23:11
haha bulls supporters is darm snaakse goed.. Saffa, Rene julle se elke dag dieselfde goed oor en oor. kom gou oor jul self en aanvaar net die verloor
Stanley - 2012-04-02 23:13
Die bulle kry maar net wat hulle toe kom 2010 super final het Joubert die bulls a hip stootjie gegee en in 2007 final was die sharks die beter span die bulle kan maar net vir habana vir sy inviduele drie bedank anders sal hulle nooit gewen nie
Marius - 2012-04-03 06:32
@Tertius. Dit was nie 'n Bulls supporter nie,maar die TV kommmentator Rob Kempson wat jare gelede vir die Stormers en die Bokke stut gespeel het en sy sentimente dus eerder by die Stormers lê en wie definitief ook meer as enige een wat hier kommentaar lewer sal weet wat aangaan in 'n voorry, wat gesê het en verduidelik het hoekom dit die Bulls en nie die Stormers se strafskop moes gewees het nie.
Ruan - 2012-04-03 07:02
Okay, vat daai penalty dan vat ons die fwd pass drie. Nie eers te praat van die opportunistiese een nie. Dan wen ons verder. Hahahahaha. Daai score vlei die Nulle vreeslik baie. Mr Jobert het vir julle 'n bonuspunt gegee daar ongelukkig.
1703mal - 2012-04-02 21:17
Stormers Bo !!! 2de Junie maak ons wee so
1703mal - 2012-04-02 21:18
Stormers BO!!! 2de Junie maak ons weer so
Japjapjap - 2012-04-02 21:30
@1234mal- hakkel jy ou weepee??
Japjapjap - 2012-04-02 22:12
@Usakkie- ek gaan ni jo vra of jy hakkel ne', want ons weet jy hakkel!. Nou, al koppie, Usakkie, wat jy di 2de junie gaan vat is daai papsak in 'n koppie-ons weet jy is 'n gesofistikeerde suipeling veral wanne dit by verloor kom.. en hou daai koppie' papsak maar altyd naby want verseker...jy sal hom drink tot 2020! en moenie kommer ni Usak di BULLE sal di hel weer vasmaak, want hulle KAN!
Corley - 2012-04-03 03:43
Is dit hoekom die Stormers a lee Trofee kas het, omdat hulle bo is! Dan kry die verloorders die bekers en hulle is die Bukks,lol! Shame dit is seker omdat jy onder 'n nommer en nie naam blog! Shame geen pille gaan jou help nie! Breein oorplanting miskien,
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 08:30
Julle gaan ni die keer so gelukkig wees met 16 spelers ni. Bulls gaan julle trap met at least 15 punte verskil indien ni meer ni
Stormers - 2012-04-02 21:45
Is dit nie fantasties hoe die Bulls ondersteuners kerm oor 3 punte op die einde en vergeet van die 7 wat vur julle gegee is op n skinkbord nie. Olivier se drie het 3 vorentoe aangee gehad in die aanloop van daai drie, maar dis ok ne? Feit bly staan, die Bulls het swaar geleef in die skrums en dit was onafwendbaar dat daar n strafskop sou kom. Deur die swak disipline wat die Bulls toegepas deur die hele game het julle aan Graig se verkeerde kant gekom. Nes die Stormers is al n paar maal aan sy verkeerde kant beland het. In die Kaap het die manne voorspel dat ons sou verloor met Graig op die veld, maar kom ons wees eerlik, die Bulls moes al gekaart gewees het in die eerste helfte. Julle spelers het verkies om die Stormers te probeer intimideer instede van rugby speel, julle het verkies om met die punte verskil net 6 punte te gaan vir die driee instede van die 3 punte te vat. ( twee keer ) So as julle iemand wil blameer, blameer julle kaptein vir sy dom besluite en omdat hy nie sy spelers in toom kon hou nie. Julle het gedink julle gaan oor die Stormers loop na die wen oor die Reds, en kom ons wees weer eerlik, as die Force 45 punte teen hulle kan opsit beteken hulle nie veel nie, die Bulls het die Stormers onderskat en die Stormers het weer na halftyd gaan slaap vir 20 minute. Die telling vlei julle en daarvoor kan julle vir Graig dankie se.
Saffa - 2012-04-02 22:17
@Isak Go elsewhere, you not welcome on this blog
Tony - 2012-04-02 23:13
Jonathan Kaplan made a couple of 'howlers' in the bulls/Reds game which favoured the bulls but you don't hear about that.
Jed - 2012-04-03 06:44
1.Stormers 5.Bulls 6.Crusaders You can live off the past all you like. Stormers are currently the best side in Super Rugby. Saffa your 3 Cups were won by Ref's not by the Bulls.
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 08:21
Ag man julle was 16 man op die veld. Noem jy dit regverdig. Julle sal beslis ni so gelukkig wees volgende keer ni. Daar gaan beslis 'n 15 plus verskil in punte wees aan bulls kant. Weet jy hoekom booooo 'n stormer altyd? Want hyt ni tande om te fluit ni
Jacobus - 2012-04-02 22:16
hou op huil
Kevin - 2012-04-02 22:34
@johan & izak. mates no cups???? die Stormers het laasjaar die beker as die beste SA span gewen in die S15 mate! wake up and smell the coffee. kom leer meer van rugby by: kom gesels saam met gereelde blogger by: http://blogs.dieburger.com/KevinD26/cheethas-maak-amok-in-die-koekblik
Marco - 2012-04-02 23:17
saffa weet nie wat om te se nie.. Lewe nog in die verlede. bulls het hul tyd paar jaar terug gehad, maar nou is dit Stormers se tyd! Maak maar vrede daarmee. As jul altyd wil kom se van bekers wen in die laaste 10jaar. Kom ons praat dan in die algemeen, voor die bulle begin wen het was WP kampioen keer op keer
Corley - 2012-04-03 03:27
Kevin die conference wenner beteken niks en daar word niks eers gepraat daaroor nie! Die ultimate goal is om die beker te wen, maar as julle tevrede is om altyd die bridesmaid te wees en nooit die bruid nie, go for it my boy! Shame daar is nie pille vir jou nie!
Alan - 2012-04-03 06:20
@ Saffa, net soos die Engelse soccer span van 66 gaan ons vir nog 40 jaar hoor hoe die bulls 3 bekkers gewen het, kom nou man, waar is julle span nou?
Miko - 2012-04-02 23:58
Ek is nuut op die blog maar lyk my SAFFA is die hoofseun. moet mens by hom/haar toestemming kry om iets te noem? Gelukkig is ek nog jonk weet dus nie van die bekers waarmee so gespog word nie. You are as good as your last performance en wie het 2011 SA Conference gewen en 2011 Curriebeker gewen .. Mnr/dame wie ook al jy is SAFFA klink Gagga
Lion - 2012-04-03 01:57
Miko... Waar kry jy daai bril ou perd? A nee a. Dit lyk nie vars nie ou maat. As jy my laaitie was het jou gat gebrand!!! Jy moet bietjie respek toon hier ou perd. Jy kan nie net hier inval en sommer die dokter aanval nie. Sê sorry vir die oom!!!!
Pomene - 2012-04-03 10:37
Die Oom se m _ _ r hy het nie bragging rights hier nie, hy ken bitter min van rugby en is n regte ou suurgat met blou brille - einde van die storie - Miko dankie verhef jou stem soveel jy daavan hou en se jou se !!!
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 10:48
Mikko...hiers niemand in charge ni. Se jou se maat. Gaan groot. Wees untouchable. Behandel met respek wanne jy so behandel word. Sonie se wat jy wil. Hier tel ouderdom ni
Marko - 2012-04-03 20:32
Ja Miko, brag met jou 'conference' beker vir derde plek op laas jaar puntestand. Dit is nou regtig niks vir'waare' kampioene nie. Jy is nog lekker nat agter die ore (jy het self so gese). Die dag waneer jou simpel span n regte beker wen dan kan jy kraai. Tot dan toe gaan SPEEN maar verder en suig jou duim. Los die BLOG vir regte manne, en ou mense wat al baie goed gesien en gedoen het soos SAFFA.
Pomene - 2012-04-03 23:05
@Marko - Glo my jy is n groter idioot as Saffa en selfs meer eenoging - klim af van die verlede se bakkie en klim op op die een wat vorentoe gaan - een van die dae sit jy, Saffa en jull gewese driemalig kampioene op dieselfde bankie in die Ou Transvaal Museum - dis hoe oud en afgesaag julle gewese bekers comments raak - o ja en ek is nie nat agter die ore nie - heel moontlik sou jy my as oom moes aanspreek - gedra jou en gee almal n fair kans om hulle menings te lig !!!
Julian - 2012-04-03 00:46
If the Bulls can play like they did against us then they should take the Saders to the cleaners. The Kiwis are poor on form and the Bulls are looking like title contenders. Counting in the Loftus factor and this should be a walkover. I am predicting a very good weekend for SA rugby. It really is about time we put provincialism behind us and started looking at the bigger picture.
Saffa - 2012-04-03 00:51
Thanks Julian, Go Bulls, screw the Stormers, go Highlanders
Corley - 2012-04-03 03:09
One of the reasons I love and respect our team and management is they never complain about incorrect decisions made by refs etc! They just go back and calmly prepare for the next game! Us the supporters on the other hand will moan about being outdone by the ref, which cost us a win! I don't think we will ever have consistency where the refs are involved and that is what all the teams and supporters want! Well done to the Bulls and Management for staying calm, maybe in time, the supporters will be like you, but that will take years!
Ruan - 2012-04-03 06:49
Snaaks hoe daar niemand aangaan oor die 50/50 beslissings wat in hulle guns gegaan het nie. Soos byvoorbeeld die een 3 wat nie opportunisties was nie. Naargatte sit 'n suur smaak op wat 'n uitstekende game was. Skrik wakker. Bulle is nie die enigste span nie, en nog minder gaan hulle die Stormers elke keer wen.
Francois - 2012-04-03 07:13
Ek sou ook so gou as moontlik wou vergeet van Saterdag as ek hulle was en uit daai neonpienk pajamas kom. Gedink dis die Kaapse Klopse wat uitdraf toe sien ek nee dis die Bulle!
faannagel - 2012-04-03 08:19
Just get rid of those Clown outfits...
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 08:32
Who? Id say its about time the stormers make a change. They are getting laughed at every year.
mvw74 - 2012-04-03 09:06
@dawie13...wake up you twat faannagel is referring to Ann's comment below. MUPPET!!
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 09:26
I know you "ape" can't you put 2 & 2 together. I'm only joking here. You are probably a stormer... No brains !!!!
Ann - 2012-04-03 08:42
They can shrug off the loss, but I rather wish they would shrug off those blerrie awful pink outfits....
Julian - 2012-04-03 09:21
They are awful. And what was worse was that the Bulls logo was also made pink! I don't mind the design on the jersey but the pink is unbearable, especially when combined with pink shorts and socks. Still, I can understand the intention to "distract" opponents, just looking at those things is like staring into the sun. C'mon Bulls management, your team are champions, treat them with a little more respect.
Marko - 2012-04-03 19:38
I actually thought the kit looked good, please people get a life and move on and find something els to comment on. Are you so bored with you stale teams that you must comment on my teams kit. Shows how boring YOU are! Yawn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 08:45
Sorry for the loss boys. You played the better game and deserve to win. 2nd June you can take back what you deserve. Stormers is not that good actually. 3 points diference at the end. C'mon get real. Make it happen bulls and show them who is in charge for years now. THAT'S WHY EVERYBODY LOOKS & COMMENTS YEALOUSLY ABOUT THE "BULLS" we can take it...can you?
mvw74 - 2012-04-03 09:46
Ok well live in the now boet! You've lost 2 games so far and 1 against a weak Blue's side. Don’t you think the Bulls are playing yoyo rugby…up down up and then down again?? Of course I wouldn’t be surprised if the Stormers meet the Bulls in the finals BUT its all about being consistent don’t you think?
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 10:39
So that make you (stormers) the champs now..... Pleasssse wake up. The tournament is not won in March. You won the bulls with a luck and now you're the super 15 heros. You still have the other teams to play. Its not currycup. Why wasn't your mouths so big against the other teams..... I know! Because you are sh.. Scared of the bulls
mvw74 - 2012-04-03 10:48
I never said we champs read what I said again bone head! It just looks as if the Stormers are a better side than the current Bulls side at the moment.
Saffa - 2012-04-03 11:02
ROTFLMAO @Dawie - do you do stand up comedy at private functions? Seriously need to book you for my birthday party mate. I will pay your travel and expenses (2 botties Brannas and a PnP cola?)
dawie13 - 2012-04-03 11:09
Mvt74.... You moron. It looks like it but its not over yet. And saffas.... Think you have a problem with brannas ans coke. You probably stay in wolmer
JoffeyCampino - 2012-04-03 09:02
I think Naas Botha hit the nail on the head on the show "Super Rugby" last night. It is must win games at home and given the strength of the Stormers side, the Cape Town men should have won it, now had you reversed the atmosphere you'd probably would have gone with The Bulls in Pretoria (I believe if you look at it in a neutral perspective and not through the passion of your team) Given the fact that the Bulls were made out to be languishing at the bottom of the table before the season because of the mass exodus of world class players - they have done quite damn well to let the Stormers pride themselves over a last ditch penalty victory at Newlands against them. But with that said, just how brilliant the Stormers are doing South African rugby is looking good for a change, with amazing talent coming through, not only with the Bulls and Stormers but through the Sharks, Cheetahs and even the Lions One question...what about this Juandre Kruger filling the boots of Matfield? quite impressive!
Alfred - 2012-04-04 07:50
Ja die pienk Bulletjies gaan tot en met 2Junie aanhou klerts. Danksy die ref, danksy die pienk en sommer danksy Morne. Die feit bly staan voor die game was dit amper n uitgemaakte saak dat die Bulls sou wen iets soos 30nul. Nie eens naby die kwart van die voorspelling nie in teendeel dit het die pienk bulletjies net met n klomp verskonings gelos. Gaan julle ooit leer pienkies wag tot na die game voor julle brag, julle kan nie die Sormers met die reds op eie bodem compare nie is julle laf of maar net pienk. Ek wonder dra julle pienk onder ook soos julle nou kla sweer ek julle dra ook pienk onder.