Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Bulls beat the Stormers to win back to back Super 14 titles
Morne Steyn, who kicked 19 points in last years final, kicked 20 this time around, as he once again played a vital role in a Bulls victory. Wing Francois Hougaard scored the only try of the match as Fourie Du Preez put him into a gap and he rounded Stormers fullback Joe Pietersen with relative ease.
The Stormers crossed twice, thanks to former Bull Bryan Habana and replacement scrumhalf Ricky Januarie, but the collective experience and composure of the Bulls made the difference in the end.
"I must make a special mention of Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez," coach Frans Ludeke said. "Those two players, for Bulls rugby, they're really special guys. Their rugby intelligence and the way they lead from the front is amazing. It's great to have them there and hopefully we can keep them for many years."
"The start we had was really important. Obviously those high balls worked nicely in the beginning. There were some turnovers and the guys capitalised on that. The second half Bryan almost turned the game on its head, but the guys kept their cool and in the end we won."
Stormers skipper Schalk Burger was visibly distraught afterwards, but admitted that the best side on the day had won.
"They're a champion side so all credit to them. We couldn't get any momentum going and struggled. We're obviously disappointed for losing out in a final, but it's a big improvement for us this season. Hopefully we can build on it for the next couple of years," Burger said.
As you know, it was a very busy day of rugby yesterday. Please be patient as clips from all the other big matches will follow soon. There's plenty to talk about too, so visit the forum to catch up on latest news and express your views on the best games of the weekend.
Posted at 2:26 pm | 65 comments
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Viewing 65 comments
Anonymous May 30, 2010 2:01 pm
They should ban those stupid horns from stadiums! It was almost impossible to hear the commentators.
Bazza May 30, 2010 2:09 pm
Gotta loved the winger destroying the turf with his dive.
Anonymous May 30, 2010 2:14 pm
did anyone see andreas bekker single handedly drive pierre spies back in a tackle? wouldnt mind seeing that again.
Sen May 30, 2010 2:37 pm
Those horns or vuvezula or whatever they call them have got to be the most annoying thing ever heard at a match.
Probably going to have to watch the world cup on mute this summer...
Probably going to have to watch the world cup on mute this summer...
Anonymous May 30, 2010 3:15 pm
vuvuzelas sound 50X times better than stransky's nasal whingeing and skinstad's dumbass comments...
Anonymous May 30, 2010 3:29 pm
I hope they get rid of those horns for the world cup
They've been driving me crazy since last year in the Federations cup thing, through the rugby and nobody yet has had the good sense to ban them.
End Rant
deep breath
They've been driving me crazy since last year in the Federations cup thing, through the rugby and nobody yet has had the good sense to ban them.
End Rant
deep breath
Anonymous May 30, 2010 3:42 pm
banning those horns would be a like a return to apartheid
FrankyH May 30, 2010 3:58 pm
Anonymous commenters never have anything intelligent to say..
Congrats to the Bulls. Powerful stuff. I love the confidence of Hougaard, who is after all, a scrumhalf. I reckon we'll see him at #9 for the Boks over the next ten years.
Congrats to the Bulls. Powerful stuff. I love the confidence of Hougaard, who is after all, a scrumhalf. I reckon we'll see him at #9 for the Boks over the next ten years.
Manfred May 30, 2010 4:11 pm
The bulls presented an incredible defence, very good tackles and in every ball in the ground they had someone trying to steal the ball , and they did so many times
deserved to be champions, and duprez,pure class all the time
deserved to be champions, and duprez,pure class all the time
bertbren May 30, 2010 4:25 pm
Fourie du preez is absolutly amazing.He reads the game grade 1 book.He is the best in the world.If u argue against that,u dont watch the bulls week in week out.Culdnt believe he didnt won IRB player of the year last.Richie Mcaw pmff...whos he?
Anonymous May 30, 2010 4:28 pm
'Culdnt believe he didnt won IRB player of the year last.Richie Mcaw pmff...whos he?'
Flanker for the all blacks and probably the best flanker in the world....in his prime...
Flanker for the all blacks and probably the best flanker in the world....in his prime...
vinniechan May 30, 2010 4:48 pm
A nice smuggling attempt by Burgar as well. If he'd pulled that off I'm sure it would have been ranked along side
"The Hand of Back" amongst legends ;)
"The Hand of Back" amongst legends ;)
vinniechan May 30, 2010 5:00 pm
As an England fan I almost cry every time watching du Preez play. He's the best scrum half in the world, but he doesn't always do it in the most stylish way: he simply does what a scrum half should do and gets the ball out by whatever means necessary no matter it is going forward, backwards or up in the air.
England scrum halves won't touch the ball unless it is snow white clean and even that they still take 10 seconds to locate the receiver.
England scrum halves won't touch the ball unless it is snow white clean and even that they still take 10 seconds to locate the receiver.
The Schoople Master May 30, 2010 6:56 pm
If there was anyone who really believed the people who say that 'the super 14 defence is terrible' they must surely be silenced by that. Incredible defence, very tight, very tense, couldnt take my eyes off it. Burger was super human, but the Bulls deserved it in the end. Definitely the antidote to the poison that was last year's anti-final.
creggs08 May 30, 2010 7:49 pm
what a match to watch. personally i don't like the bulls style of play but who cares how ya play when your putting up scores and bagging trophies every season.
love the stormers defence. apart from the try i think the bulls struggled to make yards on attack.
but to burger...the man is a machine but still sometimes he can cool his head in attack and get out off the way off the 9 10 instead off trying to play their positions as well. but still saying that he's a great player.
love the stormers defence. apart from the try i think the bulls struggled to make yards on attack.
but to burger...the man is a machine but still sometimes he can cool his head in attack and get out off the way off the 9 10 instead off trying to play their positions as well. but still saying that he's a great player.
Anonymous May 30, 2010 7:56 pm
The bulls deserved the win, but as a stormers support, what were we thinking??? also have to mention that Jacque fourie had a shocker ( and I'm one of his biggest fans...) he lost the ball 3or4 times when he went to ground...if I was the bok coach i would be asking questions...pity as fourie always plays brilliant rugby against the oz and nz teams but as soon as he plays against the bulls - he looks average - never thought I would say that...
Anonymous May 30, 2010 7:58 pm
bulls know how to win finals - simple as. They just dominate and don't allow other sides to play their own gameplan - stormers looked clue-less for most of the match but that being said - what a season for the stormers, hope we can do it again next year and come out tops this time!!!
Anonymous May 30, 2010 7:59 pm
The bulls always seem to get a head start and then put pressure on the other sides with them having to chase the game... bulls never looked like losing!!
Anonymous May 30, 2010 8:00 pm
Matfield, FDP, MSteyn - you cannot get better than that!!!
Anonymous May 30, 2010 8:58 pm
What a try by the bulls and that side step, brilliant!
Anonymous May 31, 2010 12:43 am
He only drove spies back in the tackle because it was a 2 on 1, Spies broke the first tackle but lost most of his momentum.
chris - syd Aust May 31, 2010 1:03 am
some of the penelties to the bulls were dubious. wasnt a fan of the ref.
at 1:40 mark. Stomers player stole the ball cleanly, goes to ground and lays it back but then is called for not rolling away?
please explain
congrats to bulls
at 1:40 mark. Stomers player stole the ball cleanly, goes to ground and lays it back but then is called for not rolling away?
please explain
congrats to bulls
Anonymous May 31, 2010 2:07 am
I'm somewhat of a Bulls fan simply because 10 years ago they were awful. The Bulls teams of the late 90's early 00's made this years S14 Lions team look good. It's nice to see a team make such a thorough turn-around in a decades time. Gives hope to everyone else who backs a team stuck in the bottom end of the bracket.
aussiergby_fan May 31, 2010 4:02 am
Not sure if that highlights package represented the game accurately. It should have concentrated more on the strong counter attacks by both sides, the line breaks, freakish turnovers and brutal defence. Glad I stayed up to watch it in the AM.
Ps Wallabies to win the Try Nations this year.
Ps Wallabies to win the Try Nations this year.
Anonymous May 31, 2010 5:15 am
what do you think about putting an argentinian team on the super 14?
that's a possibility, maybe there will be one on 2015
that's a possibility, maybe there will be one on 2015
Jamie May 31, 2010 5:25 am
bertbren.... Richie McCaw would be the captain of the AB's (the greatest rugby team of all time)... Just becasue you dirty saffas have had a couple of good years... Don't forget history who your daddy is... You pack of schoolgirl bitches
Tim May 31, 2010 6:02 am
Argentina can join the S15 when someone volunteers to pay for it.
All S15 sides have financial resources, so if a consortium or the Argentinan Rugby Union can come up with the millions it takes to support a team each year, I'm sure SANZAR would consider them joining.
In the future it's not entirley unrealistic to think there will be a Super 18 with an extra South African team, a Japanese team in the Australian conferance and an Argentinian team in the Kiwi conferance, but it's all pie in the sky till someone fronts the millions it'd cost.
All S15 sides have financial resources, so if a consortium or the Argentinan Rugby Union can come up with the millions it takes to support a team each year, I'm sure SANZAR would consider them joining.
In the future it's not entirley unrealistic to think there will be a Super 18 with an extra South African team, a Japanese team in the Australian conferance and an Argentinian team in the Kiwi conferance, but it's all pie in the sky till someone fronts the millions it'd cost.
Uli May 31, 2010 7:02 am
Jamie, the Springboks have been the most dominant team in history.
Only due to Apartheid and them not being allowed to play international rugby for 20 years allowed the All Blacks to catch up.
Springboks were awful from after 99-2003 and that allowed the All Blacks to catch up. For the other hundred years you've been behind us.
And now we're at the top again. Sorry, but it looks like your stolen polynesian talent has dried up.
Prepare to be raped in the Tri-Nations, just like the Stormers clean sweeped your 5 pathetic kiwi teams in the Super 14.
Oh and Brussow embarrassed McCaw last year. Player of the year? yeah, no sorry... That award belongs to Fourie du Preez.
Only due to Apartheid and them not being allowed to play international rugby for 20 years allowed the All Blacks to catch up.
Springboks were awful from after 99-2003 and that allowed the All Blacks to catch up. For the other hundred years you've been behind us.
And now we're at the top again. Sorry, but it looks like your stolen polynesian talent has dried up.
Prepare to be raped in the Tri-Nations, just like the Stormers clean sweeped your 5 pathetic kiwi teams in the Super 14.
Oh and Brussow embarrassed McCaw last year. Player of the year? yeah, no sorry... That award belongs to Fourie du Preez.
Benson May 31, 2010 9:16 am
Jamie, you're a child, I hope your comment gets removed for it's pathetic insult slinging. And Uli, forcing your narrow minded comments on everyone once again I see.
You two should get together to write a new rugby fans book - How to win friends and influence people.
You two should get together to write a new rugby fans book - How to win friends and influence people.
Ross May 31, 2010 11:03 am
'Ps Wallabies to win the Try Nations this year.'
lol yeh true, they'll win the 'Try harder' nations...
And yeh why was my post removed? i think its bullshit that the team that scored more tries lost! isn't it a valid point?
once again a fly half kicking penalties wins the game!
lol yeh true, they'll win the 'Try harder' nations...
And yeh why was my post removed? i think its bullshit that the team that scored more tries lost! isn't it a valid point?
once again a fly half kicking penalties wins the game!
Anonymous May 31, 2010 1:22 pm
^ don't be a retard, the Stormers were penalized because they were illegally preventing the Bulls from scoring tries in the red zone. Thus the three points.
Ross May 31, 2010 2:54 pm
'^ don't be a retard, the Stormers were penalized because they were illegally preventing the Bulls from scoring tries in the red zone. Thus the three points.'
No, im sorry but the team that scores more try's should be the team that wins, there was no way the bulls should have won, they were just stopping the stormers from getting the ball....the stormers were the better team and they scored more tries and tries are what rugby is about, there is nothing in rugby except for tries, and the team that scores more tries should win!!!
No, im sorry but the team that scores more try's should be the team that wins, there was no way the bulls should have won, they were just stopping the stormers from getting the ball....the stormers were the better team and they scored more tries and tries are what rugby is about, there is nothing in rugby except for tries, and the team that scores more tries should win!!!
Anonymous May 31, 2010 3:03 pm
^ the second stormers try was a lucky call for them, these highlights do not do the game justice - rd you need to include the important parts of the match and not just the points... anyone who watched the whole match will understand what I mean ( damn good defence, damn good rucking - scary physicality from both sides..) well done bulls - you were the best s14 side this year and the stormers and reds were a close 2nd and 3rd
FrankyH May 31, 2010 3:03 pm
Ross, how old are you..? That's a really silly thing to say mate. If a side kicked ten brilliant drops against 1 unconverted, pushover try, you'd still say the side who scored the try should win the match? Hmm
Anyway, the one was an intercept and the other was highly dodgy and messy. Nothing special.
Enjoyable game though anyway. I wish it was a bit closer for most of it.
Anyway, the one was an intercept and the other was highly dodgy and messy. Nothing special.
Enjoyable game though anyway. I wish it was a bit closer for most of it.
bertbren May 31, 2010 3:16 pm
tx uli for backing it up.jamie u are still stuck in the early 2000s.bok rugby is dominant now and before 2000s.AB had their time.our time is coming AGAIN
Ross May 31, 2010 4:59 pm
'FrankyH said...
Ross, how old are you..? That's a really silly thing to say mate. If a side kicked ten brilliant drops against 1 unconverted, pushover try, you'd still say the side who scored the try should win the match? Hmm
Anyway, the one was an intercept and the other was highly dodgy and messy. Nothing special.
Enjoyable game though anyway. I wish it was a bit closer for most of it.'
So what about Scotland vs Australia back in autumn?...
Ross, how old are you..? That's a really silly thing to say mate. If a side kicked ten brilliant drops against 1 unconverted, pushover try, you'd still say the side who scored the try should win the match? Hmm
Anyway, the one was an intercept and the other was highly dodgy and messy. Nothing special.
Enjoyable game though anyway. I wish it was a bit closer for most of it.'
So what about Scotland vs Australia back in autumn?...
FrankyH May 31, 2010 5:42 pm
What about it? :)
Giteau missed a kick.. yes, a kick. If he'd got that, they would have won.
It's part of the game.
Giteau missed a kick.. yes, a kick. If he'd got that, they would have won.
It's part of the game.
Dana May 31, 2010 6:04 pm
Congrats Bulls....
it wasnt flashy... but at the end of the day they strangled the stormers into submission.
as for this NZ SA Bitching come on guys...keep it clean.
as a Kiwi supporter nothing but respect of the boks...they look like the definite favouries...Ozzies are looking pretty good too. AB's might struggle this year...cant wait for Tri Nation s
it wasnt flashy... but at the end of the day they strangled the stormers into submission.
as for this NZ SA Bitching come on guys...keep it clean.
as a Kiwi supporter nothing but respect of the boks...they look like the definite favouries...Ozzies are looking pretty good too. AB's might struggle this year...cant wait for Tri Nation s
mech May 31, 2010 10:05 pm
Uli you must have a pretty miserable life to take rugby so seriously.
Anonymous June 01, 2010 5:26 am
Even though im American,All Blacks are and always will be the best team in World Rugby. watch them win the World Cup next year!
Geoff' June 01, 2010 12:27 pm
Great game.
I am not sure I understood the reason of the penalties #2 and #3.
A tense match for a final.
I am not sure I understood the reason of the penalties #2 and #3.
A tense match for a final.
NiWiTa June 01, 2010 12:54 pm
"did anyone see andreas bekker single handedly drive pierre spies back in a tackle? wouldnt mind seeing that again."
That was pretty impressive, as a Northern hemisphere rugby player/fan the sheer intensity was exciting. Also the skills on show were mighty. I agree that Jaques Fourie got the ball stripped too many times for his class. Overall though really enjoyed the match but feel that the only disaapointment as a neutral was that you could tell early on that the Bulls were going to be the winner!
They were so powerful in turning the ball over and I did feel for the Stormers and some gutsy performances (Schalke Burger - hope spelt correctly). Good job Bulls - hope next years final is as good as moving to Southern Hemisphere (NZ) in November this year!
I can't see anyone else winning the tri-nations/world-cup except South Africa. Interested to know if anyone thinks they have a weaker side that could be exploited?
That was pretty impressive, as a Northern hemisphere rugby player/fan the sheer intensity was exciting. Also the skills on show were mighty. I agree that Jaques Fourie got the ball stripped too many times for his class. Overall though really enjoyed the match but feel that the only disaapointment as a neutral was that you could tell early on that the Bulls were going to be the winner!
They were so powerful in turning the ball over and I did feel for the Stormers and some gutsy performances (Schalke Burger - hope spelt correctly). Good job Bulls - hope next years final is as good as moving to Southern Hemisphere (NZ) in November this year!
I can't see anyone else winning the tri-nations/world-cup except South Africa. Interested to know if anyone thinks they have a weaker side that could be exploited?
Ross June 02, 2010 12:51 am
FrankyH...well when scotland win with no tries to australias 1 try everyone kicks off about 'the team that didnt score won' so why cant i do it now?!? huh?!
FrankyH June 02, 2010 6:49 am
Ross, that was sour aussie fans obviously, not objective neutrals. The same applies unfortunately. Yes, there's a bit of a moral victory for scoring a try, but it means nothing at the end of the day. You need to win the match by whatever means you can.
The Schpoople Master June 02, 2010 10:59 am
Ross are you a bit new to rugby mate? See, the team with the most points wins, end of. Quite the same as football, soccer, basketball, hockey, tennis in that respect you see. Great tries are entertaining, but real sport is about winners winning and losers complaining I'm afraid. If you want to see points awarded for style watch figure skating.
Ross June 02, 2010 4:13 pm
well, actually guys, im not a bulls nor stormers fan, Im a hurricanes fan, and i thought it was pretty damn ridiculous in the scotland australia match when all that shit kicked off about 'the team that scored a try lost and its outrageous' so i thought i'd give it a try here and see what the reactions were......
i.e im being a troll...but at least i had a purpose....
congrats to the bulls btw....
i.e im being a troll...but at least i had a purpose....
congrats to the bulls btw....
Anonymous June 02, 2010 10:45 pm
gotta mention it again as some above have - what the hell was up with Jacque fourie??? He should NOT be losing the ball as often as he did, I know that the bulls are brilliant at stealing opposition ball - but come on J fourie is normally such a class act... hope the bok coach didn't see that...
Anonymous June 02, 2010 10:48 pm
Guys, Fourie was a marked man by the bulls, after his class this season they new that they couldn't give him any space,remember what he did to the cursaders backline??
Anonymous June 02, 2010 10:49 pm
^ Marked man or not, a guy of his class should be able to adapt to fit the situation - go to plan B...
Anonymous June 02, 2010 11:09 pm
I can't see anyone else winning the tri-nations/world-cup except South Africa. Interested to know if anyone thinks they have a weaker side that could be exploited?
Do you mean a weak side? If so the only thing I can think of is if their top guns hang up their boots before the RWC next year - but I do not think this is likely... yip I know it is early but when you think about it teams prepare 2 to 3 years for the world cup, so maybe not that early - looks like SA may just take it again, well at least them of OZ maybe???
Do you mean a weak side? If so the only thing I can think of is if their top guns hang up their boots before the RWC next year - but I do not think this is likely... yip I know it is early but when you think about it teams prepare 2 to 3 years for the world cup, so maybe not that early - looks like SA may just take it again, well at least them of OZ maybe???
Anonymous June 02, 2010 11:13 pm
To the above idiot talking about bok history - mate the biggest rivalry in rugby is btw the AB's and Boks, and every rugby lover will say that each of these two greats have had their ups and downs, however at the moment the boks are on top - for how long though is anyones guess... Boks and AB's are the 2 best teams in world rugby and history proves this ( no doubt about this and this coming from a neutral fan)
Anonymous June 02, 2010 11:20 pm
Lets hope someone can find a weak spot in this bok side, I think france did last year - however the boks just didn't seem to care - they had already beaten the b&i lions and the 3N's so maybe as there wasn't any silverware in it they though what the hell... anyway I personally think the boks mould their play on the bulls success and therefore it is very hard to beat them, like many above have said - you always knew the bulsl were gana win this one, just like when the boks played at the start of last year - they always looked like the winner and sadly they were always the winner.
Anonymous June 02, 2010 11:22 pm
^ mate although I agree with your comments regarding the bulls and boks play - i do not think that ANY bok player would EVER think - what the hell when they have their bok jumper on before a match, that just isn't their style and that is probably what makes them win as many matches as they do.
Anonymous June 02, 2010 11:24 pm
What impressed me (as a neutral) was the ability of the bulls to regain the ball after the high kicks, that isn't just luck - it happened almost every time...that is pure skill and SA did the same last year and won the trinations, watch this space!
Tim June 03, 2010 4:28 am
That's half the Bulls game plan (and the Boks). Kick, chase, bash.
They want you to have the ball, as long as you're in your own half, they then back themselves to just muscle you defensivly, so you concede possesion or penalties.
They want you to have the ball, as long as you're in your own half, they then back themselves to just muscle you defensivly, so you concede possesion or penalties.
Anonymous June 03, 2010 12:28 pm
SA sould be
1 the beast
2 smit
3 Botha
4 Matfeild
5 Botha
6 Brussow
7 Potgeiter
8 Spies
9 Du prezz
10 steyn
11 Hougard
12 de villiers
13 Fourie
14 Van dan heever
15 Aplon
1 the beast
2 smit
3 Botha
4 Matfeild
5 Botha
6 Brussow
7 Potgeiter
8 Spies
9 Du prezz
10 steyn
11 Hougard
12 de villiers
13 Fourie
14 Van dan heever
15 Aplon
Anonymous June 03, 2010 5:53 pm
Where was the great enforcer bakkies botha in this match?.....oh yeh LOL!!!
Anonymous June 03, 2010 5:53 pm
Where was the great enforcer bakkies botha in this match?.....oh yeh LOL!!!
James June 09, 2010 5:59 pm
that game was lost by the stormers forwards.....wayyy too many turnovers for stupid penalties!
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