Bulls revving up for big improvement
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:37
Bulls centre Jaco Pretorius has been ruled out.
The table-topping Bulls have been likened to a V12 Supercar firing on just four cylinders and there is no prospect of complacency creeping into their game, or them dropping off the pace when they return from an early-season break.
As the only team with a perfect 15-from-15 points after three rounds of Super 14 action, the defending champion Bulls have a bye this week.
However, having demolished all-comers this season - scoring 149 points and 17 tries - some critics have asked how long they can maintain the pace? Others wonder when complacency will creep in?
Injured Springbok centre Jaco Pretorius, hoping to recover in time for the team's next game, against the Highlanders on March 13, said the team is not playing anywhere near its true potential.
In fact he admitted that, in some ways, the Bulls are now acquiring similar qualities to that which saw the Crusaders win seven Super Rugby titles.
Again, he conceded, that they are a long way off, but they are making great strides.
"Many people think we will get complacent, or drop off the pace," Pretorius told rugby365.com, when asked about the Bulls' prodigious start - which has seen them average close to an incredible 50 points and six tries per game.
And they didn't beat no-hopers either. Their victims include a much-improved Cheetahs team, the Brumbies and Waratahs.
Pretorius felt there is too much "experience" in this team, too many players who have been in similar situations, for the team to drop their standards.
"There are enough players who know what it takes to lift the team every week, they know how to prevent a slump like that," Pretorius sad, adding: "We are not playing anywhere near our true potential ... we are firing on only four cylinders."
He added that there is plenty of room for improvement and the players know that.
"We certainly won't get complacent now, in fact that will continue to drive and motivate the players to realise how well we can do," he told rugby365.com.
He admitted that is where the comparison with the Crusaders is relevant.
"They [throughout the many years of dominance] also knew that even when they are not playing well, they could dominate games and win.
"That is the key for us, we must continue to build and improve week-after-week.
"We know that the other teams will continue to improve as the season progress and we have to lift the bar as well, otherwise the tide will turn against us.
"The Super 14 is a very tough and long competition, where you compete against world class players every week. You need to ensure you stay one step ahead of the pack at all times.
"Our motto, since pre-season, has been to do what we do, just do it better than the rest."
He added that the Bulls are realistic enough to know it won't be always smooth sailing, but they will enjoy these five-pointers while they can take them and hopefully that will count in their favour at the end of the season.
The Bulls' Bok centre, who suffered severe bleeding inside the muscle after taking a knock to the leg in the opening match against the Cheetahs, said he was making good progress on the road to recovery.
While he was "hopeful" of facing the Highlanders next week, there is no guarantee.
"Once you go over 30 it takes a while longer to recover," Bok midfielder quipped.
"It is a silly injury," he said, adding: "People look at you in a funny way if you say you have a lammie [corked muscle], but it is definitely one of the most painful and frustrating injuries I have had.
"I already have a about 50 percent flexibility in my leg and it is mainly the haematoma [in the muscle] that is a concern. I spend plenty of time in the oxygen tank to try and recover as fast as I can," he said, adding that it is difficult to put a timeframe on his return.
"It depends how quickly the body can get rid of the haematoma. My goal is to play against the Highlanders, but I don't want to run the risk of aggravating the injury.
"[Replacement] Stefan [Dippenaar] is doing a fine job, so I will ensure I am 100 percent fit," said Pretorius, adding that it is frustrating to sit on the sideline and watch when the team plays so well.
"I want to be part of a Bulls team that is performing very well," he added.
By Jan de Koning