Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White has explained the decision to play in the Heineken Champions Cup and the United Rugby Championship with two separate squads during the squad announcement who will play against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday in Round 2 of the Heineken Champions Cup.
“We would like to do well in both the Heineken Champions Cup and the Vodacom United Rugby Championship but we must also be honest with ourselves in understanding the demanding travelling schedule. We travel to Exeter now and then return to face the defending champions, Stormers the following weekend so the selection is about making use of the resources at your disposal, but this doesn’t mean we are going into the game saying it doesn’t count,”
“We want to win as many times as we can and when they come to visit us in January in 40-degree weather, coming out of their winter, it will be a daunting task for them and maybe that will give us a chance to find a way into the top 16 of the competition” commented White.
The side is beaming with confidence after an enthralling game of rugby at fortress Loftus on Saturday 10th December, where the herd registered a 42-36 victory over French side, Lyon. However, White is expecting a tough clash against a side that is hard to beat at home.
“They were champions two years ago and they have internationals in almost every position playing in a tough venue to win at but I am expecting us to roll up our sleeves, to embrace the fact that we are going to a place where things will be tough but we must stand as man and give it a fair crack,”
“We leave our home advantage with our loyal fans, travelling into minus 5 degrees with only one training session but we must stand and make sure that we are ready to give it as best a short as we can. No one gave us a chance last week against Lyon but what this team has done since I have been here, is accepting the challenge and often achieved results,”
“The average age of our group is 22, these are youngsters and I want the senior players to help teach the youngsters about the tough days because these are the tough days; with big expectations playing against big teams on the road,”
“This will be a fantastic opportunity for the young guys to grow and experience what it's like to be a professional player in a pressured situation. As a club team, travelling to where we are at the back of who we played, generally, it doesn’t get tougher than this at club rugby” the Vodacom Bulls mentor concluded.
Recent Posts
- Frans Malherbe Is One Of A Dying Breed If Not The Last One
- Toyota Cheetahs Name Coaching Staff For SA Cup
- Emirates Lions Players Share A Dream Of Building Something Special In Johannesburg
- Daniel Kasende Is A Man Who Has A Back Story With A Difference
- Jeppe Accepting Big “Afrikaans” Challenges To Become One Of The Best
- Chamberlain Insists He Have What It Takes
- DHL Stormers Looking Forward To A Nice Challenge In Johannesburg
- André-Hugo Venter – Giving Back More Than You Took
- Springboks To Face Pumas In Rugby Championship In London
- “Salads Don’t Win Scrums” The Proven Recipe To Become No 1 In Vodacom URC Top 100
- Henco van Wyk Extended Contract At Emirates Lions
- Junior Springbok Squad Named For Short Georgian Tour
- Welsh Players, Staff And Coaches Are All Frustrated Following Loss To Italy
- Forwards Delivered A Great Platform For Ireland
- Test Match Derby Draws Second Biggest Crowd Of URC Season