Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: The Bulls blitz the Chiefs to win the 2009 Super 14 final

Sunday, May 31, 2009

The Bulls blitz the Chiefs to win the 2009 Super 14 final

The Bulls won their second Super 14 title in three seasons when they overwhelmed the visiting Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld yesterday. The 61-17 win is a Super 14 final record for the highest winning margin.

In front of an extremely passionate Loftus capacity crowd of 52 000, the Bulls conceded early, silencing the faithful momentarily. That didn’t last long though as they soon got on the board through scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez, who picked up two quick fire tries.

Bryan Habana soon got in on the act after collecting a neat Du Preez kick ahead, then later on sniffing out a trademark intercept try. After forty minutes the match was all but over at 34-7, with seemingly no way for the visitors to stop the blue tide.

They got back into the match after halftime, taking the score up to a more respectable 37-17, but the Bulls controlled matters by scoring through Victor Matfield, Wynand Olivier, and a breakaway sprint once again from Pierre Spies.

Shortly before the end of the match, Danie Rossouw crossed to rub salt into the wound, making this easily the highest winning total in Super rugby finals history.

Scoring eight tries in total, the Bulls showed what a powerful side they are at home as they justified their top of the table standing by totally outplaying the Chiefs.

Both sides played positively from the start, showing us that finals of big competitions don't have to be dominated by the boot.

“They showed us how to play,” Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina said.

Time: 06:15

Jesus that kind of score in a final is ridiculous.

By Waqe, at May 31, 2009 3:02 pm
damn the bulls were dominant

By md, at May 31, 2009 3:09 pm
That really shows how poor the defence is in Super 14.
I agree with Sean Fitzpatrick. That really is terrible. I cant enjoy a rugby game like that with just try after try. Cant anyone put a tackle in?
Are you allowed dive over a ruck like that for a try? I always thought that was illegal

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 3:13 pm
Look out B & I Lions!! Looks like Bokke rugby is peaking just at the right time!! Thanks Victor and co. :-D

By Tommo, at May 31, 2009 3:13 pm
And i think old "sour puss" Mr Anonymous needs to realise it's not the lack of tackling, but the higher skill levels that makes the S14 special. If NH tackling is so awesome, then how come the bokke, kiwis, and crooks regularly rack up massive scorelines against them? Shut up and start praying for your beloved B & I pussycats.

By Tommo, at May 31, 2009 3:15 pm
Awesome match. True dominance. That Bulls side on the go are incredibly intense.. especially with their crowd behind them. Majority of them will be Boks too.. so good luck to the Lions.

I watched this match and after ten mins, thought back to that snoozefest at Twickenham a few weeks back.. You just cant compare the two in terms of entertainment, physicality, and precision. The match could easily have been tight and dull, kicking dominated as stated above, but both sides had a crack, which was awesome in a final.

Hats off to the Chiefs for playing possibly the most entertaining rugby of the tournament, but well done to the Bulls for completely dominating two top NZ sides two weeks in a row.

Pierre Spies outstripping Anesi was incredible too - Anesi was often spoken about as one of the quickest wings in NZ. Awesome.

By FrankyH, at May 31, 2009 3:16 pm
The Lions are toast. They must be shitting themselves. After a 3-0 whitewash in 05 can they survive another. Perhaps they should play at home instead, sacrilege?

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 3:16 pm
Yeah, 'sour puss' is a term that comes to mind.. the first of many of those type of comments I'm sure lol

By FrankyH, at May 31, 2009 3:17 pm
"Are you allowed dive over a ruck like that for a try?
I always thought that was illegal"

You thought wrong.

And as mentioned, if the S14 defense is as bad as claimed by old 'purists' like you who don't like tries, then why on the international stage is their defense so top notch?

Could it be that the reason so many tries are scored in the S14 is because of how good teams are on the front foot?

If you compare recent results from NH and SH nations that's the logical conclusion one would draw.

By Jennifer, at May 31, 2009 4:15 pm
Of course it's legal to dive over a ruck, but only very good, athletic players like Victor Matfield (you know, one of the best second rowers in the world) can pull it off.
The Bulls were awesome, and this could be a very good year for South african rugby. Steyn could be the answer at fly-half and with botha, matfield, du preez, habana and spies in such good form, the Lions are in trouble.

By jon, at May 31, 2009 4:24 pm
Wow wasn't expecting such a thrashing!

And a Leinster vs. Bulls match would probably answer a lot of the question above...

By gfhmon, at May 31, 2009 4:26 pm
after that performance i'll eat my own leg if du prez doesn't sart against the lions

By no9, at May 31, 2009 4:47 pm
The biggest difference was organization. When the Bulls had the ball, everyone knew where it was going and were in support providing quick ball.
(I agree with the diving over comment but that is how rucks are these days)

When the Chiefs had the ball, players were looking around and crossing each other without direction. Support was flat and ball was of low quality.

The Lions will lose by a combined 50!

By Boz, at May 31, 2009 4:57 pm
the obvious reason people say NH rugby's defence is better is because (apart from this game) the difference between two teams' scores is usually about the same, SH teams just clock up more points. another explanation would be NH teams are worse in attack, perhaps a bit of both. i think habana etc. will have a tougher time with lee byrne at 15 come the tests tho...

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 5:46 pm
So are you telling me that Lee Byrne is better than Mills Muliaina?

I very much doubt that!!

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 6:25 pm
i thought it was illegal to jump over a ruck when your part of the ruck which matfield clearly was

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 6:34 pm
Stephen Donald cannot run a backline, The bulls were just far too good anyway and what kinda rugby fan doesnt enjoy seeing try's, would you rather see penalty kicks the entire game?? Idiot.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 6:49 pm
Wow we had doubts but now it's for certain, SH rugby is getting poorer and poorer.
With all their talents selling their asses to Europe, they seem to have forgotten that defense is at least one half of a good rugby team.
This score in a final is a disgrace, they are an embarrassement to rugby.

By Jikle, at May 31, 2009 7:21 pm
Leinster vs Bulls wouldn't answer any quaestions, they won the H Cup by accident.
Munster vs Bulls would be a great one tho

By jidertserf, at May 31, 2009 7:23 pm
what a good `cup final`, one sided contest and no away fans.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 8:05 pm
lee byrne is as good as muliaina when on best form in my opinion. not good from lions the weekend but i back them to win the test series,different set up to 2005

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 8:30 pm
WOW wat a score line!!! did the chiefs leave their defensive lines in NZ or something!?

By Censu, at May 31, 2009 8:49 pm
You have to laugh at all these NH fans, last week when the Bulls scored 4 drops, it was..ahhh, thats awful to have drop after drop after drop..now when the Bulls score try after try after try its: aahh, thats awful to have try after try after try...THE ONLY THING AWFUL is the fact that NH fans always try to justify why the SH teams are so damn good, by trying to minimise the amazing talent they have - GROW UP - trys are part of rugby, any team who played the BULLS at home wouldn't win, because the are just too damn good - that is why they are unbeaten at LOFTUS this season! And to say SH rugby doesn't have good defense, then why do all the 6N teams, not run in try after try after try against the MIGHT of the BOKS, KIWIS AND OZ??????? GET OVER IT - SH Rugby is way way ahead. ( And I'm a NH fan in case you wonder!!!)

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 9:15 pm
THE LIONS ARE DOOOOOMMMMMMMEEEEDDD!!! Bok rugby just seems to be getting better and better each year...

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 9:17 pm
MAKE THE BULLS ALL BOKS!!!!!

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 9:18 pm
You are all talking rubbish - NO TEAM WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE BULLS LAST NIGHT - They wanted that title & they were going to stop at NOTHING to do just that!

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 9:21 pm
lee byrne is not better than muliaina, but from what we saw in that match, he made a few mistakes (not major ones, just misjudged positioning etc) that hampered their defence. while lee byrne was outstanding for the lions (one of the only glimmers of hope for this year's tour) if he stays on form, then yes, he will present more of a challenge. sorry about both these comments being anonymous.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 9:53 pm
To anon above, yes but Lee Byrne played against a third division SA team of nobodies, while Mulaina played against the Super 14 team the BULLS....so you can't even compare, put lee byrne up against the bulls and then we might have a true reflection of who played better...

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 10:01 pm
I hope you are all right, because believe me the BOKS don't want to play against a weak Lions team, we love the tradition and want amazing games of rugby to come.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 10:02 pm
Mickey Mouse 'competition'

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 10:13 pm
To the anon ass above, you must be talking about the HC there? Anyone of these teams would have kicked the B& I lions ass yesterday! Mikey mouse, wait and see - The BOKS are gana kick your rats ass all the way back up north. (& this from a neutral fan)

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 10:17 pm
The score was a joke. Such a score line for the final of a major rugby competition is a farce, unless Gloucester is playing.

I don´t think this score will do any good to the Super 14 or upcoming Super 15.

I rather watch a close intense game than such a final.

And to reason from this game to the result of a Lions tour is funny, it´s like everybody went for Munster winning the HC after their QF win against the Ospreys. Hey three games ahead and they have to be played first

By Jochen, at May 31, 2009 10:42 pm
Awful defending or high octane attack?

Certainly not much of a preparation for a tight Lions series.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 10:51 pm
I ma glad so many Bok fans are certain of a 3-0 drubbing with te Boks winning each test by 50.

I seem to remember exactly the same tripe come out of Bok fans mouths back in 1997.

How did that turn out for you? 2-1 to the Lions if I recall.

As for Spies. No doubt he is an amazing athlete. Whether he will be as noticed in a tight test match versus the Lions when the ball isn't being thrown arounf like a game of sevens is another question.

Not that I don't admire some Bok players. Burger is the best back row forward I have ever seen.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 10:57 pm
Ignorance is bliss eh? Some of you guys will just always be miserable and critical about the opposite hemisphere's rugby.

In 2007 everyone moaned about 'negative' slow and boring rugby in the knockout stages of the WC.. now the same people seem to be the ones moaning about high scoring, positive, attacking rugby. Slightly irritating.

This game was awesome to watch, in every aspect. Anyone who says that they'd prefer to see a match like the GP Final.. sigh I dunno..

By FrankyH, at May 31, 2009 11:09 pm
i was supporting the chiefs (being a kiwi and all) and yeh i was dissapointed at the score but did any one else notice how fast the pace of that game was, it was ridiculous. on the subject of byrne and muliaina, byrne is a brilliant fullback but muliaina has proved himself every year with the allblacks, im pretty sure in an allblacks v wales match it would be an even contest but id give to muliaina for his experience

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 11:18 pm
if the game was in NZ it would have been a different story what happened to a neutral ground for finals? poor management of the tournament. chiefs played the best rugby of the tournamnet

By nasau, at May 31, 2009 11:24 pm
I'm sorry, but any team conceding 60+ points in a match is defending poorly. I don't care how "how powered" or "fast paced" the game is.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 11:36 pm
2007 world cup semis : AB's beaten by France, Aussies beaten by Brits.
Nuff said

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 11:42 pm
lee byrne has played against world class players and proved himself. like i said, he isnt better, just played better in his last match than muliaina did. end of.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 11:51 pm
lee byrne has played against world class players and proved himself. like i said, he isnt better, just played better in his last match than muliaina did. end of.

By Anonymous, at May 31, 2009 11:51 pm
Exactly 11.42.

Sure SA are world champs and they were the best team no doubt.

Notice that both games between the north and south heavweights were tight low scoring affairs.

France beat NZ 20-18 with 2 tries each.

England beat Australia 12-10 with 1 try by Aus.

SA beat England...15-6 no tries.

No doub thet super 14 in 2007 was full of 65-38 games as well. It really is meeaningless in terms of comparing it to heavweight test matches that actuall mean something....i.e. world cups and lions tours. You can't read much into autumn internatonals or summer tour results which are often lop sided.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 12:08 am
where can i get the full video of the final to show these people how rugby should be played

By Hennie, at June 01, 2009 1:15 am
i taught as a neutral that it was an entertaining game loads of skill and very possitive attitudes. i dont think people should judge the NH on one lions match or lee byrne and muliaina yet as byrne isnt around long enough for that. i loe the way everyone is writting off the lions already though it makes me more confident everyday that the lions will win. the bokks shouldnt count their chickens just yet haha.

By con bons, at June 01, 2009 2:21 am
I judge the NH on many many matches, the majority of which they have lost to SH opposition. I also judge them on how they play, very simply, with little dynamic running, passing or rucking.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:05 am
clearly those who are saying that SH rugby is lacking in defense have not watched this game in full - the pace of rugby in this s14 final brought on by the bulls was incredible in the first half and no team, whether SH or NH no matter how good the defense was would've been able to keep them off of the score sheet for long. The quick balls produced by the bulls was amazing to say the least and their ability to secure the rucks and keep the momentum going was what got such a large score on.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:14 am
from what ive seen SH fans are getting ahead of themselves.
(i love the super 14 btw)

i thought the chiefs played some sort of fluid rugby....?

the kind that would normally get a team to the super 14 final...?

i wish the lions were touring NZ this year, with the looks of that they might stand a pretty good chance!!!

i think the SA/lions tests are going to be great matchups.

JACQUE FOURIE FOR FULLBACK!!!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:57 am
A terrific team playing at the top of their form on their home ground won the match by a comfortable margin against another highly skilled team that couldn't match them on the day, in a game full of power, precision and passion - and some people still can't find a good word to say - I don't think those people even like rugby union let alone understand it.

By goodman, at June 01, 2009 6:38 am
Fourie Du Preez, the master, the little artist. Bulls would dominate not only the NH club teams, but the national teams. The back line is the best I've seen since the springboks 2007 WC campaign.

Yeah, the BI lions almost lost to a team full of players that get dominated by the free state cheetahs in the Currie Cup. The players from the royals are really only semi-professional, just a group of guys that enjoy a beer after the game. You'd expect the might of the British to be bumping every 2nd tackle off. Luckily the minnows (the royals) got tired in the last 10 minutes.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 10:30 am
Wonderful stuff from the bulls
i'm a bit surprised by the famous "physical" defences of SH...

Spies was offside on his try

By Flooz, at June 01, 2009 10:34 am
The only people writing off the Lions are the NH fans, no BOK fan would be the dumb, WE LOVE OUR RUGBY HERE, SO BRING ON THE LIONS!!!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 10:48 am
Excellent to watch. That was far more entertaining that much of what I see up here in the NH.

The Lions will have to play out of their skins to stand a chance against the Boks... but then, isn't that all part of the magic?

Fair play to the SH for giving us a glimpse of what rugby can be. I personally would love to see that attacking ethos, that finesse and that athleticism up here in the NH.

By D. Thomas Knapp, at June 01, 2009 10:50 am
What a game, brilliant for RUGBY! (not NH OR SH - BUT WORLD WIDE RUGBY!)

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 10:51 am
What's the crowd shouting, after Matfields try?

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 11:04 am
sensational rugby!!!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 11:14 am
Bulls were simply overwhelming! Anyone who chuntered on above about defence being poor blatantly didn't see the full game and how tight it was for 15mins at 7-7 until de Malmanche got knocked out and duPreez scored from the resulting ball that de Malmanche was knocked on in the tackle that laid him out!

de Malmanche is one of the chiefs primary ball carriers aside from Lauaki and this incident changed the game immediatley...the Bulls got better and the Chiefs began to flounder.

The Bulls made at least 45-50% of their tackles from set pieces behind the advantage line...the Chiefs simply didn't get enough ball as it was and when they did the Bulls didn't give them an inch to move in.

The chiefs had prepared for a kicking game by the Bulls which didn't happen...the Bulls kicking dominance all season ironically turned out to be their secret weapon by NOT being played...

After kicking all season it takes a great deal oftalent to run that well...the Bulls were simply sublime on the day making almost no mistakes at all...end of story.

By durrie, at June 01, 2009 11:51 am
i absolutaly agree with some of the commets above.....the bulls had a sublime defence and took their opportunities when they presented themselves. on another day maybe the Chiefs would have made it closer cus they didnt play bad lik?

By con bons, at June 01, 2009 12:10 pm
Bulls played an excellent game!! I still think Habana is too fast hahahaha

By Toners, at June 01, 2009 1:07 pm
awful d-fence LOL

By Joey, at June 01, 2009 2:08 pm
The bulls were just too damn good,to powerful too agressive and to physical, defence had nothing to do with it.. I bet the ass above only watched the highlights instead of the whole game to reach his pathetic conclusion! The BULLS would have KILLED anyone who got in their way - they were just on fire and in fine form -I'm afraid to say it but I think the Lions better start showing the goods sooner rather than later....

And these highlights also confirm one thing to me - DU PREEZ is the best no 9 in world rugby at the moment - he was the diffs for them in the world cup and he was the diffs for the bulls in this game - he is just all over the park. The Lions need to get to him first if they want any chance ( and this coming frm a LIONS fan..)

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 2:40 pm
after matfield's try the crowd are singing "kaptein span die seile", a popular afrikaans song by Kurt Darren.
it translates into "captain raise the sails", because victor is captain.

By vrot vark 4000, at June 01, 2009 2:45 pm
That really was an awesome game to watch - and quite frankly anyone who says otherwise has no knowledge or appreciation of rugby - and is proving it by commenting.

Hats off to the Bulls - they really did show the rest of us how is it should be done. While the score line might have been one sided - the Chiefs never gave up, and it definitely was not a boring game to watch.

Hoping my Sharks can pull themselves together for next year.

Go Bokke.

By Just a Fan, at June 01, 2009 3:36 pm
Can anyone tell me why the BULLS players had thier 1st names on thier shirts instead of thier surname, was there a special reason for this? I didn't catch a glimps of if the chiefs did this as well?

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 3:43 pm
What a joke. I watched the whole game and for anyone to say the Chiefs' defense was not substandard is laughable. When you concede 60+ points your defense is poor by definition.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:37 pm
Forgetting the NH/SH hatred going on,which is useless dribble because you're not going to change anyone's minds with the arguing, this was one heck of a match. I think the score line was a little bloated and that the Chiefs played better then indicated, but congrats to the Springb...er, Bulls

By gongshow, at June 01, 2009 5:45 pm
To the anon ass above, to concede 60+ points, you are just playing against an AMAZING team with AMAZING ability with players in the form of their lives.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:50 pm
To the anon above, the jokes on you if you think that about the defense!!! BRILLIANT STUFF from a brilliant team!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:51 pm
gongshow, a bit of sour grapes mate? Brilliant stuff from the BULLS they deserved the win!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 5:52 pm
gongshow, don't all of the Welsh team come from a certain local team as well? However do they put 60+ on in a final...my thoughts exactly!!!!!!!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 6:00 pm
Internationals 2008 - ENG 6- SA 42 & not forgetting the game against NZ as well...and what were all you NH fans saying about defence?????

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 6:05 pm
BRILLIANT BULLS - BRILLIANT!!! WHAT A GAME OF RUGBY!!!

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 6:18 pm
Yeah lets end this im from England and SH rugby is abit better and harder but that isnt an excuse to say we're not good and pussies.

By Back Line Boy!, at June 01, 2009 7:54 pm
This reminds me of the Australia v. NZ Tri Nations game from Septmeber 2000 which Austrlalia won 42-40 or somthing like that. Lomu scored at the death to win.

The Shers were calling it the "game of the century." In reality the defense was shocking on both sides.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 8:00 pm
SPIEEEEEEEEEES

well we know where the loftus 'faithful' got that from. shark tank ;)

By bD, at June 01, 2009 8:30 pm
Pretty poor tackling, can't believe some are professional rugby players. Sometimes you can see a player just standing there and watching his opponent pass by. Inexplicable.

By Jeroen, at June 01, 2009 8:55 pm
malmanche got malman handled lol

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 11:08 pm
This must have been played under the ELVs with that new rule:

"Do not under any cicumcstances attempt to tackle of otherwise prevent the other team from scoring a try."

What a friggin joke the Super 14 is.

By Anonymous, at June 01, 2009 11:09 pm
Hahaha you people are so bloody retarded. The ability of a defense is purely relative. NH matches are not low scoring affairs because the defenses are better. If that was the case then NH teams would consistently beat the TriNations sides. That doesn't happen. NH games are dour and low-scoring because of a lack of imagination and talent in the backline, water-logged pitches, and a pack with a fetish for stuffing the ball up their jumpers. SH defences are just as good as the NH, they are just up against MUCH better attacking teams. Look what happens when NZ / SA play England, hardly a defensive lock-down by the pommies is it?!!!!

By Tommo, at June 01, 2009 11:15 pm
i suppose Barcelona is a crap football team that only won the CL because of man u's useless defense? and that half the SH rugby has-beens are playing for big bucks in the NH because club administrators are deliberately trying to lower standards of rugby in the NH???

By Hennie, at June 02, 2009 12:03 am
Hennie you dope.

Your pathetic attempt at an analogy to the Champions League Final doesn't come close.

An approximate equivalent score would be Barcelona winning by 9-3 over Man United. So yes, if that happened I might be questioning whether United defended very well!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 1:40 am
Honestly, we stuff you every time we play you lot. You can't score tries against us, NZ went the whole grand slam without conseding a single try, and yout alk about good defence.
You lot are livin in a fantasy world. Maybe if NH teams learned how to offload in the tackle, ruck quickly, bust tackles and run good attacking lines, you'd know how to score tries, rather than just picking up the ball and runnoing straight into the teeth of the defence.
Look a Rocky Elsom, decent player in the S14, broke a few tackles, but not better than a number of other players. Goes up north and in one season runs over the top of half the European players and shows everyone how it's done. But still you don't learn. When Rocky breaks a tackle, it's cuz he's so good, but when he breaks one oin the S14 it's crap defence according to you lot.
Absolute fantasy world, seriously.

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 2:09 am
2.09am

As Aus and NZ were both knocked out of the last World Cup by England and France respectively. So while SA won the WCUP, head to head between the north and south heavweights it was 2-1 to the North.

The WCUP are the games that really count.

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 2:17 am
I'm afraid the gulf between SH and NH rugby is wider than ever, and by afraid I mean chuffed...I guess it's the Lions that should be afraid!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 2:49 am
Anonymous said: The WCUP are the games that really count.

Tell all those NH test sides that regularly get their arse handed to them on a plate that it doesn't matter. Or are you saying that they really don't try very hard when they represent their countries away from the WC? The NH was mostly against the WC when it was first being organised, now it's the only excuse they've got and they've still only won one.

By Benny, at June 02, 2009 3:08 am
Since 2003 the NH teams have won 14 out of 87 test matches against the SH big three. That's a terible return, particularly since not one of those victories has come away from home.
And you lot have the gall to lecture us on defence!
Why not learn how to win a few games and then we'll respect your opinion when it comes to rugby.
I mean Jesus, you can actually see the difference in the styles of play by watching. In the North they are patheticaly unimaginative, their running lines are predictale, they have slow hands and thy drop tough passes, they rarely offload in the contact and they can't break a tackle to save themselves, in fact they seem to activly seek contact and then just go straight to ground to feed back the ball. They can't even ruck with any speed or intensity.
Their attacking tactical kicking game is sb standard.
Their only strengths are mauling, scrums, their ok at line-outs and they're good at kicking the ball into touch. Their defence isn't even that good, as evidenced by the Boks, All-Blacks and Wallabies running tries through them with regularity.

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 5:44 am
Some good comments.. interesting debate, but posting as Anonymous is like walking into the house of commons and seeing all the MP's wearing brown paper bags over their faces, then expecting a pat on the back when making a good point.. or expecting/wanting a direct response.
Pick a name
Pick a name
Pick a name.
Got it? Get it. thanks.

That aside.. as a rugby fan through and through, if you were to compare the GP Final against the S14 Final, did you guys up north reeeaaally enjoy the GP final more, cause there were less points?? According to the way some of you think, that means better tackling? lol

Or was it just poor execution, lack of creativity, and both sides bottling it on the day. The Bulls vs the Chiefs was one of the most enjoyable matches of rugby I've watched in ages, and I support neither side.

Don't forget, the Chiefs were second on the log at the end of the tournament. Bulls were top. It was the top two sides. Therefore, the Chiefs were the best NZ side in the tournament, and we all know a little something about NZ rugby.

Anyway, swallow your pride, quit being so childish, and give credit where credit is due. The Bulls were awesome, and would have blown any side away on the day.

Oh and Pierre Spies was NOT offside btw.. look where he is when the ball leaves the ruck - behind the last man's feet. He's blatantly onside.

And that guy who said 'SA beat England...15-6 no tries.' - you're conveniently forgetting the drubbing in the group stages?

Anyway.. I've decided that you muppets will always find something to moan about. I'll stick to be a RUGBY fan, and appreciate the work that goes into this site, instead of slating clips as they get posted. Cheers RD. Awesome for the true fans out there.

By FrankyH, at June 02, 2009 8:36 am
For what it's worth, I don't think you can equate the size of the scoreline with how entertaining a game is. I've seen games with a dozen tries be dull and games with no tries be fascinating. That is not to say that I thought the GP final was better than the S14 final, both were fairly entertaining. I would have preferred a bit more creativity in the GP final and a closer game in the S14 final but there you go.

On a related point, I wonder how many people on this site only watch the highlights and don't watch the games themselves? Probably the same guys who then go shooting their mouths off about one hemisphere being better than the other like kids in a playground.

Why don't we make this a rule - don't comment on games you didn't watch? That way we wouldn't get morons saying that S14 tackling is poor based on a try compilation or that GP rugby is poor because there are fewer tries.

By Ted, at June 02, 2009 9:56 am
At 1.40am.

I If Barcelona had beaten Man U by 9-3 I think we can assume that would have been a combination of superb attack b y Barcelona and sloppy defending by Man U....with more of the latter.

Same is true in the S14 final. I watched it and the Bulls played well and took all their chances. Having said that, the defending was not up to much either.

As usual it's not black and white....but a combination of both.

I don't think anyone can see that the S14 final score was all down to great attacking or all down to bad defending.

I would observe that you do not usually see scorelines like this when the top teams play each other.

By Jonathan, at June 02, 2009 3:07 pm
If you are going to moan about the super 14 ..... Don't watch it then. If you are not enjoying a game change the channel. Don't come on here and moan about, I don't moan about the HC, .... Oh that's because I don't watch it I change the channel.

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 3:08 pm
I think the Nhers are a bit fed up with the south trying to change the rules of the game because they have this crazy idea that a 68-49 score is a better game and more entertaining game than a 10-7 game.

Sure, that can be the case...i.e. 1999 WCUp semi between France and NZ....or a relatively low scoring nail biter.....

We saw what happened when the bulk of the ELVs were scrapped because they had all these unintended consequences and were scrapped.

If the S14 was played in a nothern winter I don't think it would be as high octane.

By Jonathan, at June 02, 2009 3:41 pm
Iniesta and Xavi danced around with the ball and Man U could never get it off them, the scoreboard didn't tell the full story. Everyone applauded their skill, as they did when Barca scored about 12 over 2 legs against Bayern and another 5/6 against Real. Nobody said CL is bogus, because clearly Barca has a special blend of players. I grew up hating the Bulls, but they were sublime on Saturday. Part of their success has been to let the opposition attack and then tackle the crap out of them, turn over the ball and counter with speed. The Chiefs defense was in disarray BECAUSE they were trying to attack and the Bulls defense and counter was so good. The CL was over after 10 mins when Eto scored and the S14 was over after Wynand ploughed Loftus with Mr Malmoer and Fourie scored from the pop ball. NH is helluva tough and shouldn't be dissed, but they do set up for defense in a way that often negates attack. And I still want to know why so many relatively average SH players are employed in NH if SH is so poor?

By Hennie, at June 02, 2009 4:04 pm
SH fans and people who actually know about rugby why bother getting annoyed with random anonymous comments which are obviously just for the heck of it?

The truth is anyone watching rugby knows that the SH are streets ahead.

The north has won 14 out of 87 games against the south since 2003, how can u argue with that.
Oh England> aus and france> nz at wc 2007? the only reason why these scores are remembered is because of how shocking they are. And guess which hemisphere has won 5 out of the 6 world cups thus far?

And the worse part is, the games in the north are entertaining because half the players are actually from the south.

And lee bryne vs mils muliaina? i think warren gatland for wales or ian mcgeechan would be very happy to pick muliaina over bryne anyday.

By Richard, at June 02, 2009 5:17 pm
What a load of shite, haven't even bothered watching the highlights after I read the scoreline. I would have rioted if I was supporting the losing team. Fair enough The Bulls 'wanted it badly' but it's a cup final for crying out loud!!!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 6:16 pm
To the anon ass above, don't lie - I know your NH ass watched it - watched it and learnt how to play!!!!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:10 pm
SH RUGBY RULES - GO PLAY FOOTBALL IF YOU ARE MOANING ABOUT THIS AMAZING GAME!!!!!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:11 pm
You 'bothered' to comment though...so something tells me you just didn't want to watch because you were going to get nightmares of how SH rugby has dominated for FOREVER!!!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:12 pm
Come on guys - we all know NH & SH - That SA,NZ & OZ are the best sides in the world!!!! (From a NH fan who watched this video and enjoyed it, really good tries)

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:14 pm
BRIL - JUST BRIL!!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:16 pm
What a game of rugby - no matter which hemisphere you from - give credit where it is due!! Well done BULLS!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:20 pm
WOW - the chiefs had no answers to the amazing attacking style of the bulls!!! Now that's what I call RUGBY!

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 9:21 pm
Anyone who thinks Leicester, Leinster, Munster or the Blues would have conceded 60+ points to the Bulls should put the pipe down.

By Anonymous, at June 02, 2009 10:30 pm
You're right, they would have conceded 80.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 12:09 am
anon above - LOL love it!!

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 11:55 am
"You're right, they would have conceded 80."

1209am.....that's why I said "60+" and not 60......

Let me help...60+ means over 60 points.....which would include the number 80. I think you're a bit thick..along with 11:55am.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 3:07 pm
We heard all this the South Africans back in 1997.

"We are World Champs."
"The Super 12 is far superior, look at all the attacking play and tries."
"The Five Nations is crap compared to our Tri Nations."
"We are going to put 40 to 50 points on the "pussycats."

Wow, could history be repeating itself?

The best thing the Lions have going for them is the arrogance and over confidence that is part of South African sporting culture. They cannot conceive that they could get beaten by the Lions, and that is their achilles heel.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 3:57 pm
Super 14 = crap

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 4:44 pm
The Super 14 should be embarassed to have such a ludicrously lop-sided score in a final.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 4:45 pm
To the anon ass 2nd from above - that's why he said YOUR RIGHT ? Maybe you are the thick one mate!?!

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 4:52 pm
SUPER 14 RULES!!!What a game and what rubbish comments on a rugby site...GROW UP EVERYONE!

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 4:53 pm
Good game, I'm worried about the match tonight now... Hope the Lions can pull this one off..

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 4:54 pm
4.52.pm Are you really that stupid?

I said there is no way the the heineken Cup semi finalists would have conceded 60 + points to the Bulls...in other words..."any score over 60 including 80."

and he said, "you're right, mate they would have conceded 80."

So he was disagreeing with my premise you dope, even though he wrote "you're right"...because he took my OP to me that the Bulls wouldn't have scored 60, but might have scopred something higher than that.

Get a brain.

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 5:11 pm
Golden Lions getting an absolutely pounding by a team that has never played together before. HA HA

Yeah the S14 is great!!

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 8:54 pm
5.11 are you really that stupid - IM MESSING WITH U - and you bite everytime! You need to RELAX a little man, bad day?

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 8:57 pm
NO BOKS IN THAT team, so it aint super 14, just currie cup & do u even know where the lions finished in the s14 this year? Good idea this will give the other lions false hope!!!!

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 8:59 pm
about the lions v lions game thought you NH fans didny enjoy that type of try after try after try rugby...oh, wait my bad - only when its your team....sad sad

by the way take oz,nz and sa against any hc team - and you will have a cricket score!!!

By Anonymous, at June 03, 2009 9:02 pm
the Lions will not defend like that, come on three intercept tries and diving over a ruck, u think dis will happen against d B&I lions?? how deluded are u people! d squad is much better den 2005 in fairness, dey cud b epic tests!

By Anonymous, at June 05, 2009 3:07 am
25 annonymous comments in a row? pick a name, its actually quite fun if you have any imagination. An incredible display of power, pace and precision the BUlls would have beaten any side you put against them that night. Has to be said though, wouldnt a neutral venue make the final more even and therefore more of a contest? We all know the Bulls arte invincible at home, but maybe a neutral venue would show us truly the best team? Or do you think that would negate the point of the league part of the season? Views please.

By The Schpoople Master, at June 07, 2009 7:36 pm