Bulls v Ospreys: Five takeaways as ‘leaky’ defences punished by ‘slick’ play and ‘immense’ forward power
Bulls vs Ospreys: Five takeaways as 'leaky' defences were punished by 'slick' play and 'immense' forward power
Following a 53-40 victory for the Bulls over the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, here are five takeaways from the United Rugby Championship clash.
The top line
The Ospreys broke the deadlock within the first minute with some clever backline play to score in the corner through Keelan Giles. This was quickly followed up by another bit of ingenuity by Daniel Kasende, as he put Keiran Williams through a gap to make it 12-0 with just five minutes passed. As they would throughout the match, the Bulls came back into the game with two close-range tries by Marcell Coetzee to level the score.
Jack Walsh and Keiran Williams were up next for the Ospreys, as the former benefited from more silky backline hands, while the latter crashed over on the pick and go. Just as the match looked like it could get away from the Bulls, Johan Grobbelaar went over for his first of the day just before the break.
The half appeared to do the hosts wonders, as they came out firing after the break. Grobbelaar powered over for his second just minutes later, before Cheswill Jooste showed his gas to score a tremendous try down the left-hand side.
The tide was clearly turning, epitomised no more so than when Bulls number nine Embrose Papier put in a wonderful 50:22, which led to a yellow card for Ospreys lock James Fender and Grobbelaar’s third try.
The game continued to turn on its head with tries from either side, Jan Serfontein scoring off the back of some fluid Bulls play and Morgan Morse touching down from close range for the Ospreys.
Just when the Ospreys thought the game was back within their reach, Juann Else powered over from close range for the Bulls before 19-year-old Jooste slid over for his second.
The consolation try for Ospreys came in the form of Giles with his second. A fine attacking performance from both sides, but the defences will need to be addressed.
Leaky defences
When almost 100 points are scored in a match, often the attack is praised. While it deserves its own plaudits, it’s the defences that will get the most attention here.
The Bulls’ rearguard, particularly in the first half, struggled to deal with the slick variation to the Ospreys’ attack, often found wanting as the visitors shifted the ball out wide to their threatening outside backs. The key issue appeared to be a lack of communication between the defending players, who often doubled up on tackles but missed the supporting runner.
The Ospreys’ lack of physicality showed when the Bulls used their immense forward power to drive over the try-line on multiple occasions. Such was the impact that the Bulls‘ strength had, by the time the second half arrived, the Ospreys’ defensive line appeared almost too exhausted to fill the gaps. The Bulls took advantage of the tired defence, cruising in five tries after the break.
Creative Ospreys backline and Bulls physicality
It was a chance missed for the Welsh visitors. Their backline was firing on all cylinders in the first half, bewildering a Bulls defence that didn’t appear accustomed to the speed and width at which the Ospreys were playing.
Williams and Giles both deservedly got on the scoresheet twice, as they benefited from the high chemistry backline that was not afraid to fling the ball wide and play what was in front of them.
While the Bulls didn’t look impressive out wide, they certainly held their own in the tight. The majority of their nine-try haul came in the form of a pick and go or charge over from close range, proving that their physicality won them the game.
Weakened Bulls
Despite being hit with injuries and having to play on the same day as the Springboks, Johan Ackermann managed to include six South African internationals in his matchday squad.
However, the lack of regular members clearly caused havoc within the ranks, with communication appearing to be at an all-time low. Fortunately for the Bulls, a bit of game time to adjust, and the arrival onto the field of Willie le Roux, ensured that the Bulls were able to re-group and turn the screw on a faltering Ospreys side.
The Bulls were clearly underpowered, but even with a huge number of players missing, the squad managed to put 53 points on the Ospreys, proving that their strength in depth can make a real impact this season.
100% stats
Without the set play dominance, the Bulls would likely have struggled to win. But a scrum that maintained a 100% win rate and 19 perfect lineout throws made the game theirs for the taking.
The team that has more of the ball most often wins, but here it was more about what they did with the ball when they had it. Making an average of two and a half post-contact metres every time they had the ball meant that the Ospreys were constantly tracking back, allowing the Bulls to create momentum as they powered through with their giant forwards.
As mentioned above, the team that has more of the ball most often wins, and that was indeed true today. The Bulls had 60% possession and used it to physically dominate their opponents.