Final Preview: Bulls v Chiefs
Sportal.co.nz - (28/05/2009)
For the Chiefs, this is unknown territory – a Rebel Sport Super Rugby final. The Bulls know how to get the job done, having won the title two years previously, but will experience prevail over enthusiasm?
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HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 – Northern Transvaal/Bulls 5, Chiefs 8, drawn 1.
LAST TIME: April 25, 2009 (Pretoria) – Bulls 33-27 Chiefs (round 11).
WALKING WOUNDED: Although Wynand Olivier was named in the Bulls' semi-final team before withdrawing late, he has again been named in the starting XV for the big match. He will have a fitness test later in the week and, if he fails it, will again be replaced in the starting XV by Marius Delport. The Chiefs lost star winger Sitiveni Sivivatu to his second dislocated shoulder in recent weeks and this time surgery, which will keep him out for some time, is required. Richard Kahui has returned after a couple of weeks on the sidelines and Sione Lauaki, who left the field following a head knock against the Hurricanes, will start.
FORM: Given this is the final, it goes without saying that both sides are riding winning streaks of varying lengths. In fact the Bulls have won their last five matches and the Chiefs their last four. The Bulls are unbeaten at home this year – that recent winning run began when they got back after their tour – and last weekend defeated the Crusaders in an exciting semi-final that was decided by Morne Steyn's boot. His four dropped goals set a new competition record for a single match and his season total of 10, also a season record, is more than seven teams have kicked in their entire Super rugby histories. The Chiefs proved a point to all the doomsayers who expected the Hurricanes to reverse the result of two weeks ago by doubling up the Wellington team. Once again there were only a few points in it but the Chiefs were on the fat end of the scoreline and, as has been normal throughout the year, were almost impossible to score against in the second spell. Only a penalty goal by Piri Weepu prevented them getting through that tough three-match home stand without giving anything away after the interval. That's going to be an intriguing prospect: the last 40 minutes of the season, with everything on the line, and a team that has never lost after leading at halftime but only reversed one deficit (the Bulls) slugging it out with a side that, on average, gives up seven points after the break. If there's nothing in it at the interval, best to have a pack of chewing gum handy or the nails will take a beating.
WHO'S HOT: The Bulls have a number of world-class players but the pivotal three last week were the 8-9-10 axis of Pierre Spies, Fourie du Preez and Steyn. Spies started the season playing like Superman but went missing on tour, only to rediscover his form at home and his effort last week was massive. Du Preez, as ever, ran the ship neatly and always hit the right man with those flat passes of his which allow the Bulls to smash onto the ball in contact situations. Steyn, with his dropped goals prominent among his 21 points, gave a clear indication of what we can expect in the final. If he kicks like that again, the Chiefs will have their hands full. Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are always going to be big players up front and Bryan Habana is back to something like is best form after a slow start. The Chiefs have fewer really big names – Mils Muliaina would be the only one accepted as world class by most critics – but their strength this year has been the lesser lights. Prominent here have been the tight five, where James McGougan and Aled de Malmanche personify the gutsy efforts that have carried the team; the loose forwards where Tanerau Latimer and Liam Messam must both have the All Black selectors interested; halfback, where Toby Morland has been an able stand-in for Brendon Leonard and second-five, where Callum Bruce has enjoyed by far his best season without doing anything showy.
WE THINK: Although we think the Chiefs are the one New Zealand team with the ability to go to Pretoria and take the crown, we're going to stay with home advantage and the Bulls. No other team has won there in 2009, the Chiefs had the travel and all the adjustments to make and now they have to face a team that will be inspired by a full house and which will play percentages for the whole 80 minutes. It will be too tough for the visitors and our call is the Bulls by about 10 points, although that could blow out if the Chiefs are forced into playing catch-up in the second spell.
TEAMS:
Bulls: 1 – Gurthro Steenkamp, 2 – Derrick Kuun, 3 – Werner Kruger, 4 – Bakkies Botha, 5 – Victor Matfield (captain), 6 – Deon Stegmann, 7 – Dewaldt Potgieter, 8 – Pierre Spies, 9 – Fourie du Preez, 10 – Morne Steyn, 11 – Bryan Habana, 12 – Wynand Olivier or Marius Delport, 13 – Jaco Pretorius, 14 – Akona Ndungane, 15 – Zane Kirchner.
Reserves: 16 – Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 – Rayno Gerber, 18 – Danie Rossouw, 19 – Pedrie Wannenburg, 20 – Heini Adams, 21 – Burton Francis, 22 – Delport or Gerhard van der Heever.
Chiefs: 1 – Faka'anaua Taumalolo, 2 – Aled de Malmanche, 3 – James McGougan, 4 – Craig Clarke, 5 – Kevin O'Neill, 6 – Liam Messam, 7 – Tanerau Latimer, 8 – Sione Lauaki, 9 – Toby Morland, 10 – Stephen Donald, 11 – Dwayne Sweeney, 12 – Callum Bruce, 13 – Richard Kahui, 14 – Lelia Masaga, 15 – Mils Muliaina (captain).
Reserves: 16 – Hikawera Elliot, 17 – Joe Savage, 18 – Toby Lynn, 19 – Serge Lilo, 20 – David Bason, 21 – Mike Delany, 22 – Sosene Anesi.
REFEREE: Jonathan Kaplan
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