Bulls win in crunch game to keep their Super XV Play-Offs hopes alive - Rugby news
Bulls, the current Super Rugby champions, gave themselves a chance to defend the title as they defeated the Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday, May 1st. Bulls were
coming from a relatively poor Australasian tour in which they lost three of their four matches. Today’s game against the Chiefs was a must win match for the Bulls as a defeat would have ended their chances to reach the play offs of the super xv.
During the initial 30 to 35 minutes of the game, Bulls were simply helpless in the field as the Chiefs piled up a massive 17 point lead over the hosts. However, Bulls
redeemed their form during the second-half of the game to win their fifth match of the Super Rugby 2011championships.
Both teams enjoyed the possession and gained territory during the start the match as they both reached each other’s halves but failed to convert the opportunities. Chiefs
prop Ben Afeaki was shown the yellow card during the seventh minute of the game for his big tackle that resulted in lifting the Bulls player up horizontally. Bulls run the ball for the penalty and brought the ball closer the line but weren’t able to penetrate
through chiefs. Bulls opted for drop goals and scored successfully through their fly half Morne Steyn.
Chiefs a man down denied Bulls for building any momentum and scoring freely. Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina scored the first try of the match as the Ben Afeaki comes back
on the field during the 17th minute. Chiefs’ fly half Stephen Donald followed with the conversion. Bulls sustained a major blow as their winger Francois Hougaard was injured during a tackle and was replaced by Gerhard van den Heever during the
21st minute of the game. Chiefs were awarded a penalty on which Donald capitalized. Chiefs were enjoying a relatively better ball possession as they extended their lead by 10 points after Donald’s 27th minute penalty.
Chiefs scrum half Brendon Leonard scored their second try during the 30th minute followed by Donald conversion to leave host trailing by 35 points. Bulls
came back strongly during the final five minutes of the first half courtesy of their centre Wynand Olivier’s try followed by Steyn’s conversion. During the last minute of the first half, Steyn scored a penalty to take the scorecard reading 13 – 20 in favour
of Chiefs.
Bulls carried forward the momentum to the second half as Olivier scored his second try in the game in span of 8 minutes. Steyn followed by conversion to level the scores
during the 42nd minute of the game. Bulls further built their lead with their winger Gerhard van den Heever’s 45th minute try followed by Steyn conversion.
Bulls were going through their best passage of the game particularly for the whole season as their number 8 Pierre Spies scored their third try of the second half in
span of just 5 minutes. Steyn followed with his conversion to leave the visitors trailing by 14 points.
Steyn followed up with three penalties during the 54th, 59th, and 66th minute of the game to extend the lead by 23 points, he literally
kicked the Chiefs out of the game. Chiefs only score of the second half came during the 69th minute of the game courtesy of their number 8 Fritz Lee’s try followed by Donald’s third conversion of the game.
In the remaining 11 minutes of the game, Chiefs tried their best to find their bonus point try of the match. However, Bulls defence held on to Chiefs late surge to deny
them any extra points.
The win has kept the Bulls hopes alive, however, they need to continue their winning streak to give themselves a real chance to become a formidable contestant for the
Super Rugby title.
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