The Bulls sent out press releases yesterday stating that their Bulls Babes would not be at the match and that the playing surface will not be up to the standard that they would have liked.
We doubt the girls being absent will make too much difference to the performance of these teams but the playing surface could be critical - especially at scrum time.
The surface has been affected because the drainage system of the field has recently been upgraded and that impacted on the growth of the grass on the field.
Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off.
1.00: The Brumbies are awarded a penalty almost immediately from the kick off.
2.00: Stirling Mortlock takes the kick and slots it.
3.00: The Bulls start playing at pace. Everything they do is quick. They Brumbies look to be up to task for now and manage to push the Bulls backwards.
4.00: Deon Stegmann gets some medical attention.
7.00: The Brumbies press the Bulls back into their 25 but Kirchner gets back and boots the ball to moderate safety.
8.00: The Bulls are awarded a penalty inside their own half. Probably 8m inside. Steyn takes the kick and misses - short.
11.00: The Bulls swing the ball through their backline but as they get an advantage the pass from Olivier gets knocked on.
12.00: The Bulls get another penalty so Morne Steyn gets another chance to kick. He takes the shot and nails it.
14.00: The Brumbies hit straight back and Elsom charges for the line and plants the ball as he rolls through the tackle. We go upstairs but its a good try.
14.00: Stirling Mortlock misses the conversion from the corner flag almost.
16.00: The Bulls look hungry again. As they go forward they lose the ball but are awarded a penalty for playing the ball on the ground. Steyn takes the penalty kick and slots it.
19.00: The Bulls work up some pace with the ball and get an overlap but the Brumbies manage to stop them and the Brumbies win a scrum put in. Josh Valentine questions the referee's knowledge of the laws.
20.00: The Bulls pull off a fantasticly elaborate move but Elsom runs up ...steals the ball of them and darts off before sending George Smith in for the second try.
21.00:Stirling Mortlock slots the conversion and the home crowd are very quiet.
23.00: The Brumbies are handling the Bulls pretty well with their defence. The Bulls look dangerous every time their backline gets the ball but somehow each time the Brumbies get back and stop them. Bulls win a penalty so they choose to kick for touch.
24.00: The Bulls get a VERY lucky try by Fourie du Preez. Ben Alexander tries to tackle du Preez but the referee (South African) Mark Lawrence was in the way and Du Preez was shielded by the Lawrence !
25.00: Steyn adds the conversion. Very very lucky.
27.00: The Brumbies win a scrum and look to run the ball. The Bulls block them in all directions so Giteau boots the ball downfield for territory.
29.00: The Brumbies are pressuring the Bulls backwards and Stegmann gives away a penalty in front of the posts so Mortlock takes the kick and slots it.
31.00: The Brumbies look like they want to run the ball all the time. All that running at altitude could take it's toll later on and play into the Bulls hands. It could also give them a big enough lead which they can defend later. The Bulls look dangerous again as they work the ball into the Brumbies 25. They go at the line with the forwards and then swing it out to Morne Steyn who finds a gap and scores. No luck in this try.
33.00: Steyn converts his try and the Bulls lead.
35.00: The Brumbies build up their attack and swing the ball out to the line. Elsom is there and he charges. The Bulls push them back but Gary Botha gives away a penalty as Valentine gets some attention for blood.
37.00: Mortlock curls the penalty in and the Brumbies lead again.
38.00: Morne Steyn goes for a drop goal but "it went straight over the top of the pole" according to Ref Mark Lawrence.
40.00: The siren goes for half time.
The half time score was Bulls 20 Brumbies 21
The second half is underway as Steyn kicks off.
41.00: The Bulls have not lost at this venue since April 2008. Brumbies work their way into the Bulls half - Giteau sends over a drop goal....it hits the post and goes in off it.
43.00: The Bulls start making some ground with the ball in hand. The string together 10 phases and slowly progress. 14 phases now. Then 15. The Bulls get an advantage from the ref so Steyn takes a kick and we go back for the penalty.
45.00; The Bulls try to attack but the Brumbies turn it over and send it downfield. Harrison comes off for the Brumbies.
47.00: Pedrie Wannenburg comes off for the Bulls. Steyn boots the ball downfield. Brumbies counter attack and kick through and then push Kirchner into touch.
49.00: The Brumbies work their game and progress forward. As they get into the Bulls 25 Fourie du Preez gives away a penalty. Mortlock takes the kick and slots it.
52.00: The Bulls get a penalty so Steyn takes the kick and nails it.
55.00: The Bulls get another try as Gerhard van den Heever pounces on a loose ball from Josh Valentine so he runs away and scores.
57.00: M. Steyn adds the conversion.
59.00: The Bulls drive forward and Pierre Spies goes down - he screams in pain
61.00: Gee the Bulls are having some luck. Wynand Olivier darts through a gap and scores a try for the Bulls. Replays shows he has a slight knock on just before he scores the try. It's abonus point try.
62.00: Steyn adds the conversion.
63.00: The Brumbies are starting to struggle under the pressure. Little mistakes are creaping in.
65.00: The Brumbies have emptied almost their entire bench. Even still we can expect the Brumbies to fade with the altitude. The Bulls are awarded a penalty from the scrum.
66.00: Steyn takes the kick and slots it.
A high tackle goes in on Tyone Smith by Kirchner but the touchie says its number 13. Shambles. All Kirchner gets though is a warning.
70.00: The Brumbies og on attack but the Bulls stop them in their tracks.
71.00: Are the Brumbies throwing the towel in as they take Matt Giteau off ? Guy Shepherdson gives away a penalty so Morne Steyn gets another shot at goal.
73.00: Steyn adds the penalty.
75.00: The Bulls go on attack and stretch the Brumbies defence and Morne Steyn gets in for his secon try. Thats 33 points to Morne Steyn.
76.00: Steyn adds the conversion so that's 35 points for Steyn.
79.00: The Brumbies look to finish on a high but it's too little too late as the get the ball to within 5m of the tryline. They get the overlap and Pat McCabe scores in the corner.
81.00: Mortlock misses the conversion.
The siren goes - thats it. The Bulls win.
The full time score is Bulls 50 Brumbies 32
Scorers
Bulls
Tries - Du Preez, M Steyn 2, Gerhard van den Heever, Wynand Olivier.
Pen - M. Steyn 5
Con - M Steyn 5
Drop -
Tries - Du Preez, M Steyn 2, Gerhard van den Heever, Wynand Olivier.
Pen - M. Steyn 5
Con - M Steyn 5
Drop -
Brumbies
Tries - R. Elsom, George Smith, Pat McCabe
Pen - S. Mortlock 4
Con - S. Mortlock
Drop - Giteau
Tries - R. Elsom, George Smith, Pat McCabe
Pen - S. Mortlock 4
Con - S. Mortlock
Drop - Giteau
Match Officials
Referee: Mark Lawrence (SA)
Ass. refs: Marius Jonker (SA), Stefan Breytenbach (SA)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (SA)
Teams
Bulls : Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Pedrie Wannenburg, Deon Stegmann, Victor Matfield, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Fudge Mabeta, Derick Kuün, Heini Adams, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, and John Mametsa.
Brumbies:1. Ben Alexander 2. Stephen Moore 3. Salesi Ma'afu 4. Justin Harrison 5. Mark Chisholm 6. Rocky Elsom 7. George Smith 8. Stephen Hoiles (c) 9. Josh Valentine 10. Matt Giteau 11. Francis Fainifo 12. Christian Lealiifano 13. Stirling Mortlock 14. Pat McCabe 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper
Reserves 16. Huia Edmonds 17. Guy Shepherdson,18. Ben Hand 19. Mitchell Chapman 20. Patrick Phibbs 21. Matt Toomua 22. Tyrone Smith
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