Bulls should embrace touring so early in Super Rugby campaign

While it’s probably unfair to do so, it remains tempting to compare the Bulls’ process of getting back on the map with the Lions’.

Following last weekend’s loss to their neighbours, coach John Mitchell was asked whether it was a good time to be going on tour, especially how that defeat could’ve touched a nerve.

“It is what it is,” was the Bulls coach’s response.

But there is actually a heartening lesson from the Lions for the men from Loftus.

In 2015, Johan Ackermann’s troops lost their first three Super Rugby fixtures – two of them at home – before departing for a four-match tour.

They returned with three wins and laid the platform for a solid campaign where they just missed out on a play-off spot.

This is arguably how the Bulls should see their Australasian adventure too.

It’s an opportunity to actually play with less pressure because expectations have been toned down.

And the Bulls could’ve had sterner opposition to face than the rebuilding Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

Interestingly, the home side seems to have taken a leaf out of the Lions’ book by trying to exploit Mitchell’s men in terms of physicality.

That’s evident in shifting Samu Kerevi into midfield.

It’s quite ironic given the Bulls’ previous reputation of being one of the more physical sides in the tournament.

“In their two fixtures they’ve demonstrate their first phase attack in that area,” said Mitchell.

“We’re not preoccupied with our defence in midfield but it is an area where we’ll have to stop them from gaining momentum but also win gainline when we have the ball.”

The Reds will also have taken the note of the Bulls’ general chaotic way of dealing with the driving maul.

However, Mitchell insists that was actually something that was pretty easy to fix.

“We actually just adjusted something technically,” said the New Zealander.

“It was something very small. We’re confident we’ll have more structure in that regard. Dealing with the driving maul is an aspect of the game that does require a plan and players fulfilling their respective roles in it. We fell short previously but it was all technical.”

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