The Bulls might just be affording the Reds far too much respect than they deserve even though the Australians are fresh off a victory against the defending Super Rugby champions.
For the better part of this week the talk inside and around Loftus Versfeld has been the diplomatic and complimentary statements about how good the Reds are and that their five match winless start to the competition was all about bad luck.
In fact, if anyone believes it the Bulls almost gave themselves away by overstating the Reds victory against the Highlanders last weekend but it was their failure to acknowledge how awful the defending champions were in the first half that attributed to the Reds stealing an improbable victory.
In the end it might be mind games to entice the Reds into a false sense of belief that they actually are a classy team before putting them to the sword at Loftus.
There can be no comparison between the hosts and the visitors and a mere look at their standings so far and points accumulated tells a tale of two teams on the opposite end of the Super Rugby spectrum.
The Bulls are a team on the up and play a brand of rugby that many coaches around the world and in the tournament believe is the game of the future.
What the Bulls haven’t done is master the running game but they have shown enough promise and love for the expansive game that they are looking more comfortable in it by the week.
While the running game is being preached in all corners of the rugby globe, it doesn’t come easy and the feeling is that the Bulls did enough last week to show that they are a side willing to work for the right to go wide.
If their set-piece play functions optimally and to the letter of the book then there is no reason why the Bulls won’t be able to exploit the experience and speed amongst their inside and outside backs.
The truth of the matter is that the Reds were lucky against the Highlanders and have not once this season, bar last weekend, looked like a side that harbours the ambitions of going into the play-offs of the competition.
What the Reds established last week is that they have plenty of heart and if channelled the correct way it will go a long way into giving a team an opportunity to win a rugby game.
The scrap that they got embroiled in with the Highlanders suited them best as most of their play was instinctive from a group of players who have long been written off.
The men from Brisbane have pockets of class in them with a handful of Wallabies past and present but it is their collective play that has often been a hindrance in the face of progress this year.
Can the Reds play like a collective again this weekend, for sure but the Bulls need to believe that they are the better side and need to show it without losing respect for the danger the Reds may still pose.
“Where they lie on the log is not a true reflection of the kind of team they and what happened in the games they have played. Most of the games were very close and we knew before they played against the Highlanders that they are a good team. We have a lot of respect for them and even though they don’t have that many big names in the team but they have shown in the statistics that they can dominate especially with ball in hand. They have a good kicking game, their line-outs are good and so too their scrums, their contesting is good and they are a solid all-round side. It will definitely be a tough game,” said Bulls captain Adriaan Strauss.
Bulls: SP Marais, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Francois Brummer, Rudy Paige, Arno Botha, Jannes Kirsten, Lappies Labuschagne, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Marcel van der Merwe, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboko, Werner Kruger, Marvin Orie, Deon Stegmann, Piet van Zyl, Tian Schoeman, Dan Kriel.
Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Anthony Faingaa, Eto Ntabuli, Jake Mcintyre, Nicholas Frisby, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Hendrik Tui, Ben Matwijow, Cadeyrn Neville, Greg Holmes, Andrew Ready, James Slipper (captain). Replacements: Saia Faingaa, Sef Faagase, Sam Talakai, Lukhan Tui, Curtis Browning, James Tuttle, Sam Greene, Ayumu Goromaru
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden, AJ Jacobs
TMO: Johan Greeff
Venue: Loftus Versfeld
Kick-off: 5.05pm
TV: SS1 - The Star