Muir: Bulls too physical
Durban - 'Piling in' took on a new meaning on Saturday when the Blue Bulls trampled the Sharks in a brilliant Currie Cup match.
The visitors, who had to win to keep alive their chances of reaching the semi-finals, completed a well-deserved 50-32 victory after leading 27-20 at half-time.
Just how hard the Bulls piled into the Sharks was evident in two tackles by centre JP Nel.
One resulted in Brad Barritt leaving the field with suspected concussion and the other saw Wouter Moore being taken off with a ruptured spleen.
Nel and his teammates were fearless. They went into the Sharks as if they were playing in a World Cup final.
The home team, after losing three experienced and tough forwards the day before the match - AJ Venter, BJ Botha and Deon Carstens - had no answer to the Bulls' game.
"They taught us a lesson in physical rugby," said Sharks coach Dick Muir afterwards.
"Their will to win, as well as the unforced errors we made, made the difference. We missed AJ and the others, especially when things became hot.
Still under pressure
"They were really tough, but cowboys don't cry. We'll just have to pull ourselves together for Saturday's match in Bloemfontein."
Bulls coach Pote Human was understandably relieved after his team's brilliant victory, but conceded that they remained under pressure.
Human made a point of praising the Bulls' defence, honed by John McFarland, as well as the way the team's Springboks helped their teammates raise their game.
"These factors, as well as Heyneke Meyer's team talk before the game, and players who played to their ability made the difference," he said.
Gary Botha, the captain, revealed how his team had planned to take on the Sharks in intense 10-minute bursts.
"We started and finished the first half well and also started the second half strongly.
Injured shoulder
"That was our plan. I was impressed by the way the guys kept up the pressure in the second half," said Botha.
The best players in the Bulls team were two of the Tri-Nations Springboks, Wynand Olivier and Pierre Spies.
They were well supported by Botha, Danie Rossouw and Heini Adams.
The best Sharks players were scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, who went off with a shoulder injury late in the match, and the exciting No 8, sevens Springbok Ryan Kankowski.
News source: www.news24.co.za
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