Super Rugby Week 4 saw a young Lions team overcome an experimental Jaguares and the Bulls grind out an emphatic win against the Sharks.
Super Rugby Week 4
Emirates Lions 47 Jaguares 39
Emirates Lions – Tries: Courtnall Skosan 2, Rhyno Herbst, Elton Jantjies, Kwagga Smith, Wandisile Simelane and Marnus Schoeman Conversions: Elton Jantjies 6
Jaguares – Tries: Julian Montoya 2, Ramiro Moyana, Gaspar Baldunciel, Matias Moroni and Joaquin Tuculet Conversions: Joaquin Diaz Bonilla and Juan Cruz Mallia 2 Penalty: Joaquin Diaz Bonilla
Both coaches selected much changed teams for this encounter. The Lions turned out a much younger team than the Jaguares, with Head Coach Swys de Bruin giving the more youthful element of his squad the opportunity to prove their worth.
This game also marked the occasion that Elton Jantjies passed the 1000 point mark in the competition, the fifth player to do so.
Did it work?
It most certainly did. The willingness to run with the ball and be creative was reminiscent of the resurgent Lions that ran their local competitors off their feet. Granted, they were given a lot more space to move the ball wide than the Bulls gave them last weekend. However, they made use of that space to create opportunities for themselves. Wandisile Simelane looked very good at outside center during his starting debut and is one to watch out for in the future.
Full time: Emirates Lions 47 – Jaguares 39#LionsPride #LIOvJAG pic.twitter.com/jOAD87ZqXa
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 9, 2019
They were innovative when it came to the driving maul from five meters out. Cramming 12 players into the lineout to bolster the maul is not often seen. It was hugely successful, but certainly different.
The Lions scrum was also a revelation. The addition of Carlu Sadie to the squad this season is now paying off. The front row of Sadie, Malcolm Marx and Dylan Smith looks to be one that will cause some real problems during Super Rugby 2019.
De Bruin has a few particularly pleasant selection posers facing him before next weekend’s home fixture against the Rebels. The Jaguares will face off against a rested Stormers team.
Vodacom Bulls 37 Cell C Sharks 14
Vodacom Bulls – Try: Jesse Kriel, Rosko Specman (2) Conversions: Handre Pollard (2) Penalties: Pollard (5) Drop goal: Pollard
Cell C Sharks – Tries: Jeremy Ward, Dan du Preez Conversion: Robert du Preez
The Bulls have won 3 out of their 4 games this season. All three have been against South African teams. They built this win mainly on three facets. Dominating the midfield in defense. Flyhalf Handre Pollard continued his impressive overall game management and easily beat Sharks flyhalf kicking out of hand. Finally, they relied on very secure set piece play.
Post game, Sharks Head Coach Robert du Preez bemoaned the lack of bite in their attacking play. The Bulls shut them down throughout the game. The introduction of Andre Esterhuizen off the bench did make a bit of a difference, but it was simply not enough.
Specmagic: A true finisher
FULL-TIME
Vodacom Bulls 37 – 14 Cell C Sharks#BULvSHA #Superpowered #BullsFamily pic.twitter.com/SYrGOdkqbb
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) March 9, 2019
The Bulls made three excellent acquisitions in the off season. Duane Vermeulen and Schalk Brits were the two obvious signings that would make a big difference to their chances in Super Rugby 2019. The third one was less obvious. Rosko Specman. Not many 7’s players have successfully transitioned into the fifteen man code. It remains early days in the competition, with the Bulls only having played four games, but Specman is showing glimpses of his true ability as a finisher Super Rugby.
Bulls lack bonus points
The Bulls currently stand second on the overall Super Rugby 2019 combined log. They have settled on a formula that currently works for them. There is a conservative element to their game. They prefer to take any points on offer and will kick for poles if the opportunity presents itself. Not working towards earning bonus points for try scoring could hurt their chances towards the back end of the competition should they qualify. Bonus points could be the difference between playing in a home or an away semifinal.
Both teams will enjoy the first bye of their Super Rugby 2019 campaign next weekend.
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