Bulls eyeing their first win against Crusaders in New Zealand – Rugby news
Bulls have beaten the Crusaders four times out of their previous five encounters however; Bulls have never defeated Canterbury Crusaders in New Zealand.
Bulls are second in the South African conference behind the unbeaten Stormers while they are on the sixth place in the super rugby combined table with 21 points. Crusaders are the New Zealand conference leaders and placed at third place on the combined table.
Both teams have won four games however; Bulls have lost two while crusaders have lost one game out of the six games both teams have played this season. Crusaders have the best point difference of all the super rugby teams which currently stands at 102, Stormers
with their 76 point difference is the highest point difference closed to the Crusaders.
Crusaders are famous for playing speedy attacking rugby and have the players to do so, while Bulls on the other hand would be relying on their big physical mid field and defensive players to bring down any Crusaders scoring move.
Both teams are in making their pre match preparations and have already announced their starting line ups for the coming Saturday encounter at AMI Stadium. Crusaders had suffered a major blow when their top scorer from the tournament Don Carter has been ruled
out of the Saturday’s encounter due to injury.
Carter is this year’s Super XV third highest points scorer so far. He has scored 84 points that included a try, 14 conversions and 17 penalties. The 27-year-old Matt Berquist has been included in starting lineup in place of Dan Carter who has sustained Hamstring
Injury.
Sam Whitelock will also miss the match courtesy of the ankle injury he sustained during their match against the Sharks. Richie McCaw who was suffering from the foot injury expected to take field on Saturday, but later the decision of playing him was withstand.
Kieran Read has recovered from his minor neck injury and will captain the side again, Read was named captain in place of McCaw.
While Crusaders will be without their Fly Half, Bulls will be relying heavily on their Fly Half Morne Steyn to deliver goods for them as they have done so far in Super XV. Steyn is behind carter with just three points and is yet to score a try but has piled
up 81 points with 19 penalties and 9 conversions.
Bulls will have the services of their Full Back Zane Kirchner after he has recovered from the knee strain. Other changes include the return of Danie Rossouw to replace Jaco van der Westhuyzen on the bench.
Crusaders in past have hold a definite edge over the Bulls particularly their record at home is impressive and Bulls are yet to beat them at New Zealand. Even without Carter, Crusaders will start as favorites, expected to win the game by margin of 10-14
points.
Bulls on the other hand will be eyeing to topple the Crusaders in their home country something they have not achieved in past 15 years. 15 years ago, Bulls then known as Northern Transvaal were able to defeat the Crusaders in their home country.
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