‘Everything now about the URC … a tournament we feel we need to win’ — Bulls’ Johannes

The Bulls backline has been on song lately, barring a yellow card here and there, and a red card against Leinster last month.

They certainly were dangerous during the Bulls’ 34–28 defeat to Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup quarter finals last week, with winger Canan Moodie having the most line-breaks and third-most carries on the day despite coming on in the second half.

And, flyhalf Johan Goosen also slotted both his conversions and offered a couple of dangerous high-balls during the match.

Bulls aim for second win against Munster

Facing the daunting task of beating Munster in Ireland in their United Rugby Championship (URC) match on Saturday, flyhalf Keagan Johannes said the Bulls are still “fresh” during their third week on tour, using Biarritz as their home base for training between games.

“Our focus has shifted from the Challenge Cup and basically everything is now [going] towards the URC,” Johannes said. “We’ve come close the past couple of years, and it’s a tournament we feel we need to win.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted this past weekend, but we have to put that behind us now and focus on the next job, which is Munster. They’ve been playing very well but we’ll be ready. Game management and playing in the correct areas will be key.”

Munster are fresh from a 47–29 defeat to Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup quarter-finals in France last weekend. Before that they beat La Rochelle 25–24 in France (Champions Cup last 16) and they beat Connacht 30–24 in the URC.

However, they are 11 points below third-placed Bulls on the URC log, being in fifth place with seven wins from 14 matches. The strong Irish side will want to improve on their standings, especially as the middle of the URC table so hotly contested and they are only four points ahead of 10th-placed Stormers.

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Backline ‘working really hard’ and ‘in sync’

Johannes said the Bulls backline are ready to face Munster.

“Our backs have been working really hard. [Backline coach Chris Rossouw] has been putting a lot of effort in. The backs, it feels like everyone is in sync at times during the game.

“It just makes everything as a playmaker so much easier for you when you have a lot of comms outside. If you hear something from outside, you back that call.”