The Blue Bulls are not taking much notice of statistics that suggest their chances of beating the Sharks in the Currie Cup final in Durban on Saturday are not particularly good.
Experts’ observations and insight do add a lot of status to any Currie Cup final but they don’t have any influence on the result, says Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke.
Morris Gilbert writes in Beeld that responding to predictions from most experts that the Sharks would win the trophy for the first time since 1996, Ludeke said, “If they feel we are second favourites it’s their right to do so.
“The Bulls have won trophies when they were the favourites and also when no one gave them a chance. To us, any prediction is six of the one and half a dozen of the other.”
Among the reasons for installing the Sharks as favourites is their hunger to win because it has been so long since they last held the Currie Cup.
Another reason is that they will be looking for revenge after losing last year’s Super 14 final against the Bulls in the last seconds of match.
“One must accept that the Sharks are hungry but the Bulls have reason to be equally determined to win the final,” Ludeke said.
“Remember what Victor Matfield said before the semi-final against the Cheetahs: ‘The more trophies you win the more enjoyable it becomes.’“
Matfield also said at the time, “Beer tastes at its best when you drink it from the Currie Cup. We play to win trophies.”
Ludeke emphasised that the result of cup finals were not determined by what experts said or by how the teams had done in previous matches.
It was equally important for players not to listen to speculation about personal duels, he added.
“Individual brilliance is, of course, an important asset to any team but rugby remains a team game. Even the best player can’t do anything if those around him do not contribute to the execution of the game plan.
“The pressure is at it greatest when it’s a matter of all or nothing. It is in such extreme situations that players have to carry each other. The team that keeps their cool as a unit, especially in the last 20 minutes, should have the last laugh.
“The result of a final is determined by the temperament, defence, decision making, finishing and discipline of all the players.”
Ludeke will know on Monday whether Akona Ndungane will be available for the final. Team doctor Org Strauss said on Sunday there was a 90 percent chance that the wing would be able to train flat out on Monday morning.
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“Individual brilliance is, of course, an important asset to any team but rugby remains a team game.”
So what about the other 5 guys when the Bulls play 10 man rugby?????
Experts’ observations and insight do add a lot of status to any Currie Cup final but they don’t have any influence on the result, says Blue Bulls coach Frans Ludeke
Soooooooo not a lot of people picking the Bulls then? 😆
Go Sharks!!!!!!!!!!
Seems the early picks on SB are certainly showing that The Sharks are the favourites.
Community predictions
Picks for Sharks 3572 (96%)
Picks for Blue Bulls 1807 (0.6%)
Picks for draw 10 (0.07%)
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
I know the percentages don’t add up, but I only copied them from SB 😉
They should be 66,4 for the Sharks and 33,6 for the Blue Bulls
“Blue Bulls itching for Durban” – there is a cream they can get for that….
@Baldrick (Comment 5) : 😆 My thoughts exactly…we don’t want them bringing their ticks and stuff to Durbs…
Ali G interviewing some person from some “Animal Rights” organisation…
ALI G : Is you agenst animals being used for testing cosmetik produks ?
A.R person : Yeah totally, it’s appalling…
ALI G : Would you still be agenst it if it was a produk for animals?
When are we starting with the ANTI-bulls jokes? 😕
@just blackshark (Comment 7) :
I think they started their website a few years ago already 😆
“Blue Bulls itching for Durban” Het die Koeie dalk Bosluiskoors ❓ 😈
@just blackshark (Comment 7) : we#ll put up a thread later. Send me any cool pics you’ve got
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 10) : For now I have the one with the Shark chowing on a bull but I’m sure more will be coming this week…
@just blackshark (Comment 11) : awesome… we’ll use them all
The best one out is the singing arsehole 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : received that one once or twice 🙂
Hey guys! how was the weekend??
I didnt know that the U/21`s and U/19`s had to play a relegation game??? the sharks u/21 team almost played in it……
@VanWilder (Comment 15) : really? Ouch… man, but our under 21s were pants, hey… surprising, cos there are some good guys in that team. U19s rock, though!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : Steve Hofmeyer?
@McLovin (Comment 17) : bwaaaa
@McLovin (Comment 17) :
Hehehehehehheheeh
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 16) : The sure as sheeyit weren’t HotPants!
You know an article is really bad when they start quoting quips from Victor Matfield…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) :
I received that from Rob yesterday. 😈