Wing Tommy O’Brien says Leinster will have to front up to a brutally physical challenge from the Vodacom Bulls in Friday night’s URC final at Croke Park. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
The Bulls head into their fourth decider in five seasons still searching for a first title, and O’Brien believes they are “going to be unbelievably hungry”.
“They’ve come so close and unfortunately haven’t managed to get over the line,” he said on Monday. “We’re well aware that they’re going to be highly motivated coming up here.”
The Leinster back highlighted the Bulls’ powerful set-piece and direct physical approach as key areas of concern.
“They go back to the roots of rugby … it’s mano a mano and you’ve got to stop the man in front of you,” he added. “That’s a big part of their game, so we need to make sure we’re ready for that challenge.”
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Leinster will have to do it without the services of Ireland prop Andrew Porter, who has been ruled out of the final.
They are also sweating on the fitness of fellow Ireland internationals, captain and No 8 Caelan Doris and hooker Dan Sheehan, who will be assessed during the week.
O’Brien is also well aware of the Bulls’ potent attacking and tactical kicking game, orchestrated by Springboks Handré Pollard and Willie le Roux, along with SA URC Player of the Season Embrose Papier.
“They’ve got quality players right throughout the team,” O’Brien said. “There are Springboks all over the field and they’ve scored the most points in the URC this season [633], so we know how dangerous they are.
“We’re going to need one of our best defensive performances of the season.
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“They also have a great kicking game with Pollard and Le Roux, that 10-15 axis. They look to control games through that.
“You could see it in the semi-final [against the Glasgow Warriors], especially in the last 20 minutes, where they really squeezed the game well and put their big pack of forwards in good positions on the field.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Leinster brace for ‘mano a mano’ Bulls battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Wing Tommy O’Brien says Leinster will have to front up to a brutally physical challenge from the Vodacom Bulls in Friday night’s URC final at Croke Park.
The post Leinster brace for ‘mano a mano’ Bulls battle appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
