News

Defence key for Blue Bulls

October 16 2008

The Blue Bulls head into the Currie Cup Final against the Sharks boasting the best defensive record in the competition this year, and keeping the opposition out will be key to winning the trophy according the Pretoria side's defensive coach John McFarland.

McFarland is also the only Englishman in the Bulls set-up, but with four Currie Cup winners medals, two Vodacom Cup gold medals and a Super 14 winners mug to his name, he is a vital cog in the light blue machine.

They say running rugby wins applause but defence wins trophies. That might sound a little harsh but Bulls fans will point to the rather sparse trophy cabinet in Durban as an example of how the Sharks style has not paid off in recent years.

All that might well change on October 25 though as the home side lines up as one of the most potent teams the Currie Cup has ever seen. But if McFarland has his way, the Sharks might go trophyless for a thirteenth year.

"If your defence is right and up to standard then 50 percent of the game is in your hands," he told the Pretoria News.

"The good thing about defence is that it is something one can train into players and a team. We started eight years ago with the Bulls from scratch and look where we are today. Defence has played a big part in that. At the end of the day, defence is a form of attack but without the ball," he added.

McFarland, who played for English Premiership clubs Sale, London Irish and Saracens, believes that this current Blue Bulls team is capable of winning the Currie Cup especially with a host the experience of players like in their ranks, but least of all eight World Cup winners.

He also points to consistency in team selection and on the field as a reason to believe the visitors can win a 23rd title.

"This team has played consistently since the Hurricanes game in the Super 14," said McFarland.

"This group of players are capable winning trophies and it is helped by the fact that they have so much experience. They have guys who have been there, played in finals and won them."

The team's track record in this year's Currie Cup reveals that they have stood firm in their defence leaking the least amount of tries (27) and also conceding the least amount of points (235).

As defence is crucial to the way in which the Bulls play their game, so too is attack with former Western Province and Springbok wing Pieter Rossouw being given much of the credit for transforming the Bulls back-line into an enterprising unit.

"We are a different team from that of last year and play differently. Our backs have become better and that is credit to Pieter Rossouw who has brought in some changes which have seen the guys take some risks on attack," said McFarland.

"We are playing 15-men rugby now."

"We played [the Sharks] a five weeks ago and we had our chances. We managed to claw ourselves back in that game but we lost it. We know we can get a lead and play in Durban. I know we can win."