Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith is working under Nollis Marias. Photo Gallo Images

Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith against the Dragons. Photo: Gallo Images.

Bulls need quick fix to turn season around

Nollis Marais says the Bulls need to strike the right balance in play if they are to turn their season around and contest for silverware.

Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith is working under Nollis Marias. Photo Gallo Images

Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith against the Dragons. Photo: Gallo Images.

Nollis Marais says the Bulls need to strike the right balance in play if they are to turn their season around and contest for silverware.

The Bulls will take on the Welsh side, the Dragons in a United Rugby Championship clash at Rodney Parade on Friday, when they will gun for a much-needed win to save their inconsistent season from total derailment.

ALSO READ: Jake White — Bulls ready to fight for playoff spot

This after the Bulls slumped to two defeats in their local derbies against the Stormers in Cape Town and Sharks in Durban over the festive season period.

ALSO READ: Jake White — Bulls hurting after Sharks beatdown

Marais: Bulls must get it right … quickly

At a press conference from the team’s hotel in Newport, assistant coach Marais said the Bulls need to put those recent losses behind them and focus on their tough upcoming schedule across both the URC and European Champions Cup.

“Jake spoke to the lads and he emphasised how important the result of the game [against the Dragons] would be for our campaign,” Marais said.

“We came here to take home points. Although it is still a long competition, it is important not to lose too much momentum.”

“When we scrummed last year, we were literally afraid the first one was going to be a penalty against us,” Marais added.

“It’s gone much better with [consultant] Werner Kruger and the front rowers have become more experienced.

“But we can’t deny that we struggled against the Sharks and Stormers. Still, it’s important to note that you’re scrumming against the best front rowers in South Africa, if not the world, in guys like Kitsie [Steven Kitshoff], Ox [Nche], Bongi [Mbonambi] and Frans Malherbe.

“We have Wilco Louw coming later this year and he’ll bolster our tighthead stocks. It’s the same at lock where we’ve lost a guy like Walt Steenkamp, but the two Ruans [Nortje and Vermaak] just simply need to make the step up and absorb lessons each week.”

“If you go back a year, we were two [wins] from seven in the URC, so our record this season is far better in comparison,” Marais explained.

“I definitely agree that we’ve hit the buffers a bit over the past few weeks, but we can’t be too negative given our log position. We need to get the balance between creating play and playing the percentages right.”

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Looking ahead to the Dragons and the challenges they will pose to this Bulls side, Marais said they [the Bulls] are expecting a kind of slow poison from the hosts at Rodney Parade.

“They are very good at slowing down the game and making it difficult for you. Given the wet weather here, there will be a lot of kicking and breakdowns will be a big focus.”

“We will not be able to play as offensively and will need to make the necessary adjustments this week.”

ALSO READ: Watch — Jake White bemoans Bulls’ yellow cards

Bulls in action against Dragons old photo with Marais as assistant coach. Photo Gallo Images
The Bulls cross for a try against the Dragons at Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Gallo Images.