Injury ravaged Bulls target play-offs
Bulls stand-in captain Lappies Labuschagne says they will throw everything into their bid to qualify for the Super Rugby play-offs.
|||As uncertain as their journey ahead might be and their fate not entirely in their hands, Bulls stand-in captain Lappies Labuschagne says they will throw everything into their bid to qualify for the Super Rugby play-offs.
The uncertainty in the Bulls campaign was struck a near fatal blow when they lost their last outing against a rampant Lions at Loftus Versfeld four weeks ago in what was their first loss at home this season. That defeat sunk the Bulls out of play-off contention with only three matches remaining in the regular season.
While the Bulls will fancy their chances of picking up victory in their must-win fixtures against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, the Sunwolves at Loftus and the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, they will also be hoping that the Stormers and Sharks slip-up along the way. That will gift them one of the three berths in the play-offs reserved for the teams plying their trade in the SA conferences.
The Bulls, however, will face a stern challenge against a Jaguares side that has continued to play together in spite of the international break - the majority ran out for their national team against France - and could potentially be the stronger team against an injury ravaged Bulls outfit.
“It’s a big game and it is not only a game we need to win but we want to win as well. We are really fired up for the remainder of the season and we know we have to rectify what has been done.
“At the same time what is in the past is in the past and we are looking forward and positive about what lies ahead,” Labuschagne said prior to their departure for Buenos Aires yesterday.
With injuries to their top players and the resting of captain Adriaan Strauss, Labuschagne is hopeful that those players who slot into the team will give a good account of themselves and insists the changes will cause very little disruption to the side with the Bulls having built depth in all positions in their squad.
Lock Marvin Orie is likely to take over from RG Snyman and partner up with Jason Jenkins with Nqobisizwe Mxoli standing a good chance of a spot on the bench.
Former Springbok hooker Bandise Maku could be handed a rare starting berth with Jaco Visagie on the bench while Burger Odendaal will take over from the injured Jan Serfontein at inside centre.
“There are a few guys who got injured recently but we are fortunate that we have built up a group of guys and the next guy who slots in has got to make the step up.
“It is a big opportunity for those players and I know they will be ready and we as a team are prepared for that,” said Labuschagne.
Labuschagne said it would be important for the team to take the important lessons from their defeat at the hands of the Lions and use them in securing the three vital wins they need to secure a play-off berth.
“There is nothing we can do about it (the loss against Lions). But in the three weeks break we had time to reflect on the game and get our heads back into the game.
“We know what to focus on and where we want to go.
“There is a positive attitude in the team and everyone is looking forward to the next three weeks and we want to build on that and finish strong.” - The Star