Victor Matfield believes the Vodacom Bulls must resist the temptation to play Leinster at their own game if they are to lift the URC trophy at Croke Park on Friday night. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
The Bulls have lost three URC finals in four years, including the 2025 decider against Leinster at the same venue.
Matfield on Tuesday encouraged Johan Ackermann’s men to build their game around their dominant pack and squeeze Leinster through relentless pressure.
“I haven’t looked too much at the previous finals, but the one they probably should have won was against Glasgow, where they had a great lead,” said the former Bulls captain, referring to the 2023-24 final at Loftus where the hosts went 13-0 ahead before losing 21-16.
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Reflecting on the 22-21 semi-final victory over Glasgow at Murrayfield two weeks ago, Matfield felt the Bulls occasionally moved away from what was working.
“They had the upper hand with their forwards,” he said. “But between the two 10m lines they went to four lineouts off the top, with two turnovers and two tries against them.
“I just feel they can be a little bit more conservative, especially if they’ve got the upper hand with the forwards,” he said, adding that he would like to see the Bulls turn to their maul more in the middle of the park.
“You’re not going to beat Leinster at their own game,” he said. “They are just too good at it.
“The Bulls do have the outside backs to hurt them from turnovers and from bad kicks at the back, but I would like the Bulls to really use their pack, their dominance up front and their physicality.”
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The former lock, who won three Super Rugby titles with the Bulls as well as the 2007 World Cup, said successful finals rugby was often about applying relentless pressure and achieving momentum.
“When you’re in front, how do you want to play? When you’re behind, what’s your plan?
“I think the more you get through games like the Bulls did against Glasgow … To be able to come back from [a 21-3 deficit] will give them so much belief that they can come back if things go bad.
“It’s all about momentum in these games.”
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Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Victor Matfield believes the Vodacom Bulls must resist the temptation to play Leinster at their own game.
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