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Fourie Du Preez scores for the Bulls - Source: Photosport -
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When the lights faded prior to kick-off in the Super 14 final between the Bulls and Chiefs it was surely a dark sign for one team.
There are few sporting venues in the world that compare to Loftus Stadium. It may not have the historical backdrop of Lords, the grandeur of the Nou Camp or the energy of Anfield but if you want daunting and mad patriotism, Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld delivers.
The sea of 55,000 one-horned Bulls' fans, who by all accounts know their rugby better than Richie McCaw knows rehab, seemed unfazed by the delayed start to the Super 14 final but were nearly silenced when the Chiefs scored first - Stephen Donald combining with the electric Leila Masaga to open the scoring after six minutes.
But they needn't have worried. There's a reason the Bulls haven't been beaten at home this season.
The Chiefs, after losing their opening three matches of the season, emerged as the competition darlings but a fairytale finish was always a long-shot when they flew some 8000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean last Monday morning.
Their chances diminished long before they travelled pass the doldrums with the loss of two of their biggest game breakers in Brendon Leonard and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Although, if truth be told they would barely have made a difference on Sunday morning.
In fact I would go as far as to say that an All Black team would have struggled with the high-octane football the inspired Bulls threw up in the final.
Their record-breaking 61-17 bashing of the best New Zealand Super 14 side is a worrying precursor for the British and Irish Lions and Graham Henry's All Blacks, who will compete in South Africa against the national side this year.
The Bulls will rightfully dominate the Springbok team to be named on Monday and if they can bring just half the hunger and ruthlessness from the final into the national team, an unbeaten international season could be well within their grasp.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentLaurie Reid said on 2009-05-31 @ 14:10 NZDT: Report abusive post
Not sure why people make such an issue of the travel. First class flights, five star hotels - can it be that hard to get over a bit of jet lag. Seemed like a huge choke to me and probably the worst performance ever by a NZ team in a major final. Sure the Bulls were awesome, but how bad were the Chiefs?
samuelleague said on 2009-05-31 @ 11:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hopefully graham henry won't punish the chiefs for this one game