The injury to Springbok Warrick Gelant was a significant blow to the Bulls ahead of their much talked about Super Rugby encounter against the Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld today.
But thanks to long term planning by the Bulls management, there has long been a plan in place to combat the threat of the Hurricanes and the different scenarios that could play out during the game.
The late withdrawal of Gelant due to a niggling knee injury and the subsequent elevation of Divan Rossouw to the starting berth at fullback will, the Bulls believe, have no significant impact on the their delivery plan.
They now feel they will be able to stand their ground against the star-studded ‘Canes, score tries and ultimately finish the game with a favourable outcome as opposed to last year’s defeat.
With what seems like a winning blueprint by coach John Mitchell, it is clear that all the Bulls need is precision in execution regardless of who they have in the team according to captain Burger Odendaal.
“I think there is always stuff you have to work on; and obviously it is never going to be perfect. But it has been a good pre-season for us and the coach has had the plan on how he wants to play against the Hurricanes for the past four weeks.
“Everything is clear cut for us, we just have to go out and perform. If we stick to the structures, the outcome will take care of itself.”
Over and above having a plan, their misfortune of losing their most lethal attacking exponent in Gelant could very well play into their hands psychologically with Duncan Matthews being called up in Rossouw’s place on the bench.
Matthews starred against the Hurricanes at Loftus last year, scoring a try and holding his own against gigantic All Black wing Julian Savea and it will be that highlight in a horrid season that the Bulls will use as a source of motivation.
The Bulls will need to draw as much motivation as they can get as the Hurricanes not only come to the capital having had the better of their hosts in recent times, but with individuals high on confidence following their heroics in Super Rugby and also for the mighty All Blacks in the past two years.
The Hurricanes come into the encounter as overwhelming favourites but also with doubts about playing a side not short of determination and hunger.
“When Duncan played against Savea last year, everyone chirped him.
“But he had a great game and scored an absolutely brilliant try. I think it is more motivation than intimidation for us,” Burger said.
TEAMS
Bulls: Divan Rossouw, Travis Ismaiel, Jesse Kriel, Burger Odendaal (capt), Johnny Kotze, Handre Pollard, Andre Warner, Hanro Liebenberg, Thembelani Bholi, Roelof Smit, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, Frans van Wyk, Jaco Visagie, Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Lizo Gqoboka, Conraad van Vuuren, Nic de Jager, Marco van Staden, Embrose Papier, Marnitz Boshoff, Duncan Matthews
Hurricanes: Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Ihaia West, TJ Perenara, Gareth Evans, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (capt), Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith
Replacements: James O’Reilly, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Murray Douglas, Blade Thomson, Jamie Booth, Beauden Barrett, Ben Lam
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Stephen Geldenhuys
TMO: Marius Jonker
TV: SS1