Bulls 'sharpen up' for Leinster
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Nizaam Carr says the Vodacom Bulls must bring more than physicality to Saturday's match against unbeaten Leinster at Loftus Versfeld.
The log-leading Irish giants have won all 12 of their Vodacom URC fixtures this season, but arrived in South Africa on Sunday without their 16 Ireland internationals, who are being rested following the Six Nations with the Investec Champions Cup playoffs in mind.
The third-placed Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a two-week break but battle-hardened after a run of five consecutive matches against South African opposition in February and March.
Local derbies are known for their intense physicality and Carr wants the Bulls to have the same approach for matches against foreign opposition.
"It's key for us that we stick to that mindset, it’s not something that we want to just bring for certain games," he said.
However, physicality hasn't always been enough for the Bulls at Loftus this season – with home defeats to Northampton (in the Champions Cup), Sharks and Stormers – and Carr said they'd need to improve in other areas of their game to beat Leinster.
"We have been dominating in most facets of our play, but it’s just maybe a lapse of concentration. Our discipline might not be great or a silly error here or there cost us. I think at this level, any error you make, another team will really punish you.
“That then puts us a little bit under pressure. The [opposition] is leading, so we have to score points or chase the game down. And if you are playing with that mindset of "we need this" or "we need to do this", that is when you are maybe not focusing on the right thing, like running the proper line or just catching and passing the ball. There are so many things going on in your mind, and that's when you make those simple errors, especially towards the end of the game.”
Providing an example, Carr said, "When going up for a high ball, you're contesting against guys … everyone’s really improving that skill. You might knock the ball on, they attack from there and score in the corner because your defence is not properly set and you have a tightie [tight forward] on the edge of the play.
"So if we can just tighten up and sharpen up on those things, the smaller detail stuff, I think we will be sharp."
STATE OF THE URC: Leinster at Loftus, Stormers at Scarlets
The last time Leinster sent a weakened team to Pretoria, in April 2023, they suffered their biggest defeat (62-7) in the 24-year history of the competition. But the Bulls have also twice beaten beaten a full-strength Leinster side in the URC semi-finals – in Dublin in the inaugural 2021-22 tournament and at Loftus last season.
"We will respect whoever they send," Carr said when asked about the possibility of facing a “B-team” on Saturday. "But obviously on the field, it’s a different story.
“It has been a bit tough lately, coming off that loss against the Stormers, so we want to go out there and make each other and the people of Pretoria proud."
MORE: Leinster bullish about Loftus challenge
Carr has made just five URC appearances for the Bulls this season, including two starts against the Sharks and Stormers when Cameron Hanekom was injured. With Hanekom set to return to action this week, the 33-year-old accepts he may not get as much game time going forward.
"You always want to be involved, but that's not always the case because we've got some really quality loose forwards at the Bulls.
“For me, whenever I'm needed, I will be there for the team. I don't mind playing 80, 50 or 20 minutes. Even if I come on for just one minute and I get the opportunity to chase one ball down the line; if I can do just one chase and be the best I can be, then I will do that for the team."
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
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