Bulls v Lyon: Five takeaways as ‘world-class’ Springbok stars again while disinterested French bow out of the Champions Cup
Kurt-Lee Arendse of Bulls.
Following the Bulls’ 59-19 win over Lyon in the Investec Champions Cup clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, here are our five takeaways from the last-16 clash.
Top line
After a pulsating start to the play-offs with Harlequins and Glasgow Warriors putting on a thrilling show on Friday evening at the Stoop, the action moved to Pretoria in what was a far duller affair.
There was no lack of tries and beautiful flowing attacks, but really, the Bulls never looked like losing this match – even with their silly errors – unlike the back-and-forth from the first knockout game.
Tries from Sebastian de Klerk, Embrose Papier and Marcell Coetzee took the score to 21-0 in the first 28 minutes, and despite Martin Page-Relo grabbing one try back for Lyon, the hosts were up 28-7 at the break as Johan Goosen was flawless from the tee adding his fourth conversion to Ruan Vermaak’s try.
A penalty try early in the second half gave Lyon fans a glimmer of hope, but the Bulls bit back with Willie Le Roux and Papier crossing in quick succession to extend the lead.
Thaakir Abrahams would get another in the 55th minute, but that would be Lyon’s final contribution to the scoreline as David Kriel, Chris Smith and De Klerk grabbed further five-pointers to take the Bulls beyond 50.
Springboks hopeful scores twice as Bulls thrash abysmal Lyon in historic Champions Cup win
Bulls rediscover their ruthless edge
After a disappointing top-of-the-table URC clash against Leinster last week, Jake White’s charges looked sharper and far more ruthless with their attacking opportunities in the first half of their return to their fortress.
Against Leinster they were wasteful in threatening positions and struggled to crack open the Jacques Nienaber-led defence but they responded emphatically against Lyon.
After a slowish start, Le Roux was the catalyst for the first try with his skip pass giving De Klerk a clear run over the line before Kurt-Lee Arendse snapped up a loose ball and sent Papier through for their second soon after.
Coetzee’s try came from a brilliant run from Canan Moodie and when the Bok star looked to have been isolated, he managed to offload off the deck to Papier who sent his skipper over the line.
That trend on attack would continue throughout the game, with the Bulls wasting few opportunities to score, with one of the rare anomalies being Chris Smith’s double movement in the second as they ran in nine tries.
Lyon’s focus clearly domestic
When comparing Lyon’s teamsheet today to the one that defeated Bordeaux 27-10 in the Top 14 last week, it’s clear where the French side’s priorities lie.
Just centre Alfred Parisien started both fixtures and at Loftus, flankers Loann Goujon and Theo William were named in the second-row for the knockout fixture.
Really, it is quite sad that the French side did not take the knockout fixture seriously, but one cannot blame them as remaining in the Top 14 is not only more financially beneficial for them but is now a non-negotiable.
They return to the Top 14 ranked 12th overall and just four points ahead of 13th place Montpellier and have a crunch clash against Perpignan next up.
With the French sides the only teams featuring in a tournament with relegation and promotion, there will always be a chance that they would field second-string teams in Europe’s top competition.
Springbok hopefuls shine again
Despite featuring against a second-string French side, many of the Bulls stars still managed to make a statement to Rassie Erasmus, who will have kept an eye on the fixture.
Centre David Kriel was not invited to the Springboks alignment camp, but if he continues his recent form, then he will surely get a look in at some point. Today, he was brutal with the ball in hand, hammering into the Lyon midfield, and not only scored an intercept try off a great read but assisted another two tries.
Arendse was rewarded with the player of the match award and was for the second week in a row the best Bulls player of the pitch. While he is no longer a Springbok hopeful after cementing his place in the starting XV last year, he is certainly not letting his grip on the jersey slip. He is simply world-class and well in the conversation for the best winger in the world.
Moodie impressed for much of the match as he continues to develop as an outside centre having started his professional career on the wing. While he will be disappointed by his yellow card and a penalty try, overall, he was a real threat on attack and busy on defence.
Elrigh Louw enjoyed another strong performance as he once again set the tone on both sides of the ball, while Vermaak put in a tidy shift in the tight-five. It wasn’t a match for the front-rowers, but the starting props and hooker hardly put a foot wrong in a solid showing.
Finally, Papier and Goosen both ripped through the Lyon defence after underwhelming showings against Leinster but they were given an easy ride from their pack.
Lyon’s suicidal pace and Bulls gifting chances
While Lyon didn’t send their strongest team out to battle the Bulls, the starters certainly saw today’s clash as an opportunity to lay down a marker and press for a starting role in the upcoming Top 14 fixtures.
However, their over-eagerness backfired as they played the opening quarter of the match at a suicidal pace for a side not used to the heat and altitude of Pretoria.
By the 25th minute, many of the Lyon players looked to have clocked out and were knackered as they failed to control the tempo, which played right into the Bulls’ hands. Although the French side were able to stage a stunning comeback last time out against the South Africans, they had no hope today as the Bulls kept their foot on Lyon’s throat.
In the end, the Bulls’ 40-point winning margin actually flatters the visitors, who were soundly beaten in all facets of the game and scored their tries off the hosts’ errors.
Page-Relo simply caught the Bulls napping as referee Luke Pearce had not stopped the clock and took the penalty to sneak over the line.
The penalty try was teed up nicely by the kick over the top, but Moodie was far too lethargic in chasing back and made a poor tackle, while Le Roux was too flat to attempt his clearance kick in his own 22 and was subsequently punished.
The Bulls showed their ruthlessness today but these errors will be of concern to White, particularly with either Northampton Saints or Munster up next, two sides that will be taking the Champions Cup far more seriously than today’s opponents.
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