Crusaders' lineout will be target for Bulls
18 May 2006Â
By RICHARD KNOWLER
Bakkies Botha has put the Crusaders lineout on notice.
Although the Crusaders beat the Bulls 35-17 in Pretoria on May 5, Bulls locks Botha and Victor Matfield won the lineout war and the South Africans again fancy their set-piece chances in Saturday night's Super 14 semifinal at Jade Stadium.
On their day, the Springboks second rowers can be the best lineout components in the world and especially made a mess of the Crusaders' set-piece in the first half by repeatedly plundering their throws.
"If they kick out or our flyhalf kicks out, we will back our lineouts 100 per cent," Botha said. "It doesn't matter, we know that our lineout is pretty much competitive with all other teams.
"Me and Victor, we've prepared for anything that will come this weekend."
In an effort to avoid defensive lineouts in Pretoria, the Crusaders opted to kick down field and use their solid defensive line to pressure their opponents into making mistakes.
"If you look at the Crusaders game plan of that match you see that Dan Carter won't kick it out at all because they know they are under pressure in the lineouts," Botha added.
"I think that will be their game plan this weekend as well. If they are under pressure in their 22, they will give the ball to Carter and make good defensive lines."
By using the mobile Reuben Thorne at lock and specialist opensiders Tanerau Latimer and Johnny Leo'o on the flanks in Pretoria, the Crusaders selected a fast pack that left few holes in the defensive screen and quickly moved up to suffocate the Bulls' attack.
That increased mobility also ensured the Crusaders could play the game at pace and run the Bulls' players around.
With the Crusaders again expected to start Chris Jack and Thorne at lock, their lineout will be considerably shorter.
It would be no surprise if they used short options to win their own ball and again keep the ball in play as much as possible, using Carter and fullback Leon MacDonald to hack the ball downfield from within their own half.
The return of lock Botha in place of Francois van Schouwenburg is the only starting change Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has made from the side that thrashed the Stormers 43-10 in Cape Town.
That big win saw the Bulls sneak into the play-offs and make some hasty travel arrangements.
Within 24 hours of beating the Stormers, they had boarded a long-haul flight across the Indian Ocean.
It was a frenetic schedule but Botha said jetlag would not be an issue. "We're feeling good, feeling good for trainings and looking forward to the challenge against the Crusaders."
Bulls: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bryan Habana, JP Nel, Wynand Olivier, Frikkie Welsh, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pedrie Wannenburg, Tim Dlulane, Jacques Cronje, Victor Matfield ©, Bakkies Botha, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Wessel Roux. Reserves: Jan Adriaan Strauss, Jaco Engels, Danie Rossouw, Pierre Spies, Francois van Schouwenburg, Heine Adams, Akona Ndungane.
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