Blue Bulls vs Exeter Chiefs - Heineken Champions Cup

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Josh Hodge
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Solomone Kata
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Sam Maunder
1 Scott Sio
2 Jack Innard
3 Harry Williams
4 Jack Dunne
5 Daffyd Jenkins
6 Dave Ewers
7 Christ Tshiunza
8 Sam Simmonds

Replacements

16 Jack Yeandle
17 James Kenny
18 Josh Iosefa-Scott
19 Jannes Kirsten
20 Greg Fisilau
21 Jack Maunder
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Rory O’Laughlin

VODACOM BULLS STARTING XV:

1. Gerard Steenekamp,
2. Johann Grobbelaar,
3. Mornay Smith,
4. Ruan Vermaak,
5. Ruan Nortje (c),
6. Marco van Staden,
7. Nizaam Carr,
8. Elrigh Louw,
9. Zak Burger,
10. Chris Smith,
11. David Kriel,
12. Harold Vorster,
13. Wandisile Simelane,
14. Canan Moodie,
15. Kurt-Lee Arendse

VODACOM BULLS IMPACT SQUAD:

16. Dylan Smith,
17. Bismarck Du Plessis,
18. Francois Klopper,
19. Janko Swanepoel,
20. WJ Steenkamp,
21. Embrose Papier,
22. Johan Goosen,
23. Lionel Mapoe

Match Officials

Referee: Mathieu Raynal

Assistant Referees: Thomas Charabas and Jonathan Gasnier

TMO: Philippe Bonhoure

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Sunny and light winds from the east north east
Temperature 31 degrees but will feel like 33 degrees
Low chance of rain.

Television Coverage

SD Channel 409 BT Sports 2 from 1715
HD Channel 431 BT Sports 2 from 1715

Thats a light but very mobile pack, if they can hold set piece could be interesting, a bit of a tough ask this, but good experience for the younger members of the squad.
LBP I would be happy with, a win would be outstanding with the location.

I'm going for optimism. 25-20 Chiefs.

Don’t know much about the Bulls squad I’m afraid so the names don’t mean too much to me, but of course I get that this is much more their proper team. We look a little lightweight (I’d like to have seen Kirsten start over Dunne) and it will be tough.

Bulls 34 Ex 25 I’m afraid, hope I’m wrong.

Looks like Bulls have gone with the same starting line up as last weekend at Rodney Parade, only one change that l can spot.

Bulls 42 chiefs 12 - unfortunately can’t see our set piece standing up and bulls should dominate.

Bulls 30 Chiefs 24

Bulls 38 - 18 Chiefs

Bulls 34 Chiefs 31... TBP and LBP!

I have absolutely no idea. Personally pleased to see jack Innard playing. Not sure why he hasn't been? A lot depends on our scrum. If it is weak think we will lose. So assuming good scrum Exe 22 Bulls 20.

I think we will struggle but am hopeful of something from the game so: Bulls 34 - 28 Exeter

In common with others, I can't really see a win, but optimistic of at least one bonus point. Bulls 30 - Chiefs 23

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Bulls 28 -21Exe but I could be wrong

Couldn't help laughing at the instagram post of the boys practicing lineout throws, the best throw was Jack Nowell !! the worst was Yendle !!!
Think we could lose this Bulls 24 Chiefs 10

If our forwards can compete with theirs and we win most of our set piece ball then I think we can get something out of this game. I didn't see a win coming at Castres so who knows what will happen. Conditions and altitude could be telling though so will happily take a LBP, 28-24.

I like the look of our backs

Bulls 21 Chiefs 25

No idea but a guess bulls 17 chiefs 29

I like the look of our team and if they play as well as last week they should do well, however I think home advantage will count especially with the heat and altitude, so Bulls 24 Chiefs 18

30 degrees, high altitude and Reynal, signs not good even before I look at the respective teams. Be delighted to get anything from it. Bulls 36 Chiefs 18

I think confidence looks good and the boys know how to win ., im going for a WBP for Chiefs 34- 24

Quote:

ExeterFan
Bulls 34 Chiefs 31... TBP and LBP!

I’m thinking same as you Exeter fan…. Lose but 2BPS
bulls 32 chiefs 27

A total bit of guesswork from me, the bulls team contains a lot of players I'm not familiar with. I just hope our lineout functions and we can avoid too many scrums. If that happens,we have a decent back line, so stand a chance. Bulls 27 Chiefs 29

Bulls 32 Chiefs 35

No LCD or Johnny Gray are big losses. We are underpowered in the pack but last time we beat them by aggressive line speed and strong carrying. We have a chance to beat them if we refrain from penalties and keep the ball in play. I am on holiday in Switzerland so feeling good so going for a shock Chiefs BP win. Chiefs 42 Bulls 36. This could go horribly wrong!

Bulls 35 Chiefs 25

Anyone’s guess. Bulls 21 Chiefs 24

Bulls 18 Chiefs 25.

Keep the faith.

l don’t see us getting a win today, altitude and 28degs will play a big part and probably our set piece
Bulls 35 - 29 Chiefs

Bulls 25 - Chiefs 28

Bulls have a decent home record this season and tend to score a lot of points so to win, I think we'll have to do the same. Our back line looks good so if we can get the ball to them hopefully we'll see some benefit. While I suspect their pack is stronger than ours it doesn't look like a heavy, immobile one and they'll be used to the heat and altitude.

I think a win may be a step too far today - Bulls 42 Chiefs 37

I hope I'm wrong

Very conflicted about this one. The bonding will have been good but we think that the climate and altitude will be our downfall.
Mrs PC Bulls 27 Chiefs 20
PC Bulls 31 Chiefs 22
It would give us enormous pleasure to be wrong!!

Bulls 36 Chiefs 29

Still suffering from chronic if not terminal optimism:

Bulls 28 - 33 Chiefs

19 for a loss, 12 for a win! Don't often get such a difference of opinion!!

Quote:

plymptonchief
19 for a loss, 12 for a win! Don't often get such a difference of opinion!!

I was thinking the same, PC. It really is anyone's call. Good luck everyone!

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

35 minutes. When was the ball out?

Same old problems. Giving away to many penalties

This is looking like a 50 pointer at 45 min in

Penalty count killing us. Our errors have given them field position and led to tries. Every week giving teams points.

Lucky to have 14 points at the moment, mistake after mistake after mistake! No real control when we have the ball, too many players not making a positive impact at the moment

Harry again in the scrum

Got to sneak a way to 4 tries here to come away with something

Struggling to understand why we keep williams. First half he gives 2 penalties in succession they get a try, and now in the scrum for another. When is Street back.

Oh well, at least they have had some sun time

You are kidding…. At least the disciplinary panel will see that for what it was and rescind the red card

According to the radio the scrum penalties are largely against SIO NOT Williams. Some of you have as much trouble with Harry as I have with Whitts!

Williams has given away more penalties than any player in the prem this year ( according to BT commentary). Struggling to understand what he offers.

If nothing else can we not have Scottish commentators that seem to think they are the late great Bill McLaren (they definitely are not !!) commentating on our games - more annoying than our brain dead penalty count and questionable red card decision)
Grrrrr

All things considered fair play for battling for the LBP boys.

Poor performance again.

IMO Innard, Hodge, innard and Kata had good games

Harry, Sio had very poor gam

Good LBP But Slades sending off shocking decision. 1st contact with ball and geezer slipping before contact. Get nothing abroad

Before our forum forensics kick in, let’s be proud of the lads efforts tonight. In the face of adversity they achieved what many of us sceptics didn’t think they would. I’m happy, is anyone else????

In the circs that was a bit of a result. Josh Hodge growing into the team. Better than Hogg in my view.
Scrum and linesout a bit worrying still, lots of work still required there.

Massive effort to get the fourth try showed a lot of heart and determination.

A hard earned bonus point to bring home so fair play to the boys to keep battling, especially in the last 20 when most,me included thought we would struggle at altitude,even more so down to 14!
Henry's card was probably not even a yellow let alone red. An absolute shocker.
In one way it was quite refreshing to have so few stoppages for TMO referrals/replays but when it was really needed it was abused unfortunately.
We should take a lot from that match. Our weaknesses are well known and were highlighted and exposed again. I am sorry but either the coaching or the personel carrying out the coaches orders are woefully underperforming at the moment.
I believe we have the worst scrum in the premiership,the most penalised front row forward in the premiership and the worst line out completion in the premiership. I know this was a European game (in Africa....🤔) but those stats are what is preventing any momentum at the moment and will cost us any tight games.

Despite the challenges faced, travelling, altitude, heat, red card 😠 coming home with a LBP from SA is a great achievement. Clearly not everything went as well as we’d hope but I’ll take that and we’re on track for last 16.

Happy with the TBP.
Innard, Kata, Hodge... should be first 3 names on team sheet if fit.
Pens against... when is something going to change? Our reputation will earn us penalties as refs will start to assume, with our record, any 50/50 call goes against us.
Hope they rescind Henry's red card.

Bring on Castres!

Coul;d not watch game as in Switzerland so radio Devon. from the radio we played with guts and energy but killed in the end by the pens and some bizarre decisions [which I have not seen] Sounds like Henry's card was iffy. Were our lineouts better or worse - sounded better on the radio but scrums still a disaster area. Does anyone have any stats available for penalties awarded against us and against whom they are. Apologies Chief in Exile if Bt commentary were correct but this week on the radio they thought otherwise. The other week Harry was being pinged in a match but after in the Telegraph i think, or it may have been Flatman somewhere, said the scrum problem in that match was caused by Their tighthead getting in between Sio and Yendle. All very technical no idea who is right so apologies if I am talking c..p. A fight like that in adversity will help their spirits so well done to them even if we have lots to improve.

Why aren`t the "super human" Bulls immediately drafted into next month`s Six Nations in place of England? Why aren`t they allowed to take over from South Africa in the Southern Hemisphere internationals?

Plainly from the BT Sports2 commentators on the High Veldt this evening, the Bulls are the finest team ever to grace world Rugby, even if they were playing a side who would obviously have disgraced South West Division 3.

At least the commentators had the last 30 minutes to love the ref.

It was great also to see the splendid home crowd cheering and waving for five whole minutes while the injured Exeter captain was being strapped to a mobile stretcher.

They even managed to turn the clock back and have the cheek to produce a streaker.

You have to la...f.

I thought at times our performance was outstanding against a team who have scored over 40 points against all opposition at home. This with such an inexperienced side lots playing their first full year in senior rugby.
We had a dreadful 20 m just before ht and then second half where everything went wrong, we got unlucky with a bad bounce plus an interception off a poor pass.
To come back to get that final try for me shows the real energy and togetherness in the squad. A lot of the points we conceded came from stupid individual errors rather than brilliant play by the bulls.
Yes the scrum was poor again but we knew that anyway and you can’t do a great deal about that this season. Kirsten immense when he came on - so short sighted to let him leave.
Unfortunately we could not get the ball to hodge more he looked so dangerous. Jenkins a superstar for me yes he needs to bulk up which he will with age but what a prospect. Jack had a shocker for most of the game he will be disappointed.
Once again we have suffered at the hands of incompetent officials who are so poor and a blight on the game, in any other business they would be sacked. Just how can they get something so wrong, let’s hope we appeal the red card and the ref is stood down.
One point is a very good return taking everything into consideration and finally I hope Yenz has a quick recovery and safe journey home. Jenkins my mom.
Win at home next week and we have a chance of a home tie.

I think that result will stand is in good stead…. Away at the highest and hottest place in Europe (?!) and against a fulloin Bulls team, to come back from a shocking red card and find the Chiefs will again to get the BP I think is huge. Yes we have some shortcomings but we are more ‘up for it’ than I’ve seen for many months. Glass topped up beyond half way for me and would be shocked if Henry’s card not rescinded… well done boys
BTW….. who taught Harvey how to kick while he was injured!?

I think that result will stand is in good stead…. Away at the highest and hottest place in Europe (?!) and against a fulloin Bulls team, to come back from a shocking red card and find the Chiefs will again to get the BP I think is huge. Yes we have some shortcomings but we are more ‘up for it’ than I’ve seen for many months. Glass topped up beyond half way for me and would be shocked if Henry’s card not rescinded… well done boys
BTW….. who taught Harvey how to kick while he was injured!?

Jenkins is the next Alun Wyn Jones, in terms of iconic status across the bridge. That’s all I wanna say!

Really good effort as not easy to travel so far and then play at altitude - well done on bonus point

We really have to keep Daffyd and Christ. Along with Hodge and Innard. Priority signing? Top class experienced ex International tighthead?
Lets now beat Castres.

Plus whatever we are paying Jack Nowell add it to big Dave’s contract in the hope we can keep him. He will be our biggest loss, even if he only has a couple of years at the top level

Yes. Big Dave

Quote:

Alain le Chief
Plus whatever we are paying Jack Nowell add it to big Dave’s contract in the hope we can keep him. He will be our biggest loss, even if he only has a couple of years at the top level

+1

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Lots of positivity on the forum, most of us having predicted a loss but the way the lads performed was encouraging.
47 Points: Mike the Shirt;
43 Points: Scottish Chief; Ouch that hurts;
42 Points: Dumnoniinomad; Bold Eagle;
41 Points: Cornwall Chief;
40 Points: Rowancroft73;
37 Points: Andy15.1;
36 Points: Hankey; Lowerwatha;
35 Points: ExTedd Chief; Alain le Chief;
34 Points: Osmium;
33 Points: Chief Firewater; Plympton Chief; Cully Chief;
31 Points: Keithbar54;
30 Points: Not Manichean; Currychef;
29 Points: Ex58;
28 Points: Stokecanon; Big Chief Little Chief;
26 Points: Fisher; Mrs PC;
24 Points: Lapo;
23 Points: Ljs399;
21 Points: Moosechief;
16 Points: Broken Arrow; Exeterfan;
15 Points: Seaside Chief;
9 Points: Clalan;
8 Points: Chief Bert
6 Points: Whiptonchief;
4 Points: Last of the Beercans; Minuteman; ChiefUther;
Castre at home next week to hopefully secure a home game next round!