Bulls weather fine Waratahs comeback to go top again

Given their dominance up front, especially in the scrums, the Bulls should have brushed aside the Waratahs with ease in their Super Rugby match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, but instead made heavy weather of the game, eventually scraping through 28-21.

The scrums were of little more than ornamental value for the Waratahs, such was the dominance of the Bulls, and yet the visitors were able to use even miniature amounts of momentum from that set-piece to score two tries while retreating.

Who was the star in this match?

From the opening minutes, it was clear that the Bulls forwards were up for the contest, none more so than loosehead prop and man of the match Lizo Gqoboka. From the first scrum he destroyed experienced Wallaby tighthead Sekope Kepu and the Bulls front row consistently had the edge on their opponents. Gqoboka was also superb in the loose, handling well and making some telling runs as he showed that he is the epitome of the modern prop – mobile, skilful and still able to be a strong scrummager.

Key moments and themes

• The Bulls forwards seemed genuinely inspired in the first half, with flank Hanro Liebenberg producing some massive hits and hooker Jaco Visagie popping up everywhere, which was definitely a boost for the home side. But the moment of the match came in the 18^th minute when eighthman Duane Vermeulen, reading a Waratahs lineout move perfectly, intercepted a pass from scrumhalf Nick Phipps intended for the backline, and sprinted all of 60 metres to score a tremendous try for a 15-7 lead for the Bulls. Even powerful wing Curtis Rona coming across on cover-defence was no match for The Mighty Thor as he brushed him aside like an elephant trampling on a bonsai tree.
• Flyhalf Handre Pollard kicked an enormous 25^th minute penalty and then added another three-pointer from the second-half restart, giving the Bulls a 21-7 lead and what seemed an easy ride in the second half. But the Bulls had an unfortunate tendency to concede soft penalties and an unorganised defence did not help their cause. With the Waratahs gifted territory, and despite a retreating scrum, fullback Kurtley Beale was able to produce a trademark weaving run, totally wrongfooting Pollard on his way over for an excellent try.
• With 14 minutes remaining, the Bulls had no answer when the Waratahs went blind off a retreating scrum, nobody putting in even one tackle, as Rona raced over for the try, converted by flyhalf Bernard Foley to level the scores. Fortunately for the Bulls, they were able to come up with a response just four minutes later, as replacement prop Simphiwe Matanzima, running on to the ball at pace and having the skill to take a pass that was almost behind him, crashed over for the matchwinning try.
• It was the sort of clinical composure that was largely missing from the Bulls in the red zone. Even when they were able to hold on to the ball for several phases on attack, they were unable to create the cracks in the defence needed to score. Sharpness is definitely lacking from their attacking efforts and Pollard also missed three kicks at goal which did not help when it came to converting their dominance into points.

Point scorers:

Bulls – Tries: Warrick Gelant, Duane Vermeulen, Simphiwe Matanzima. Conversions: Handre Pollard (2). Penalties: Pollard (3).

Waratahs – Tries: Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Curtis Rona. Conversions: Bernard Foley (3).

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