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Bulls 59 Blues 26
KEY POINTS:
The Blues were trampled 59-26 by the Bulls in Pretoria this morning, a record defeat that raises question marks over their Super 14 rugby credentials.
While the rampant South Africans surged to the top of the standings after two rounds, the injury-plagued Blues were left licking their wounds
and counting just 13 players on the field.
It was the most points they have conceded in Super rugby history and it could have been more if the Bulls hadn't eased off from their rampaging start, when they raced to a 26-0 lead in 24 minutes.
The Bulls capitalised on a glut of Blues errors and turnovers, scoring seven tries to four.
First five-eighth Morne Steyn finished with 20 points from the boot while outstanding No 8 Pierre Spies bagged two tries in their second bonus point win.
The Blues also secured a bonus point but, a week after their impressive 25-19 defeat of the Western Force in Perth, this was a major let-down from coach Pat Lam's men.
"Everything the Bulls did, we expected. But you can do all the planning and talk...they apply pressure and that's what they're very good at," Lam said.
"We were 26-0 down and right on the back foot.
"I was proud of the boys to come back and at least get a bonus point out of it and hang in there."
Lam said it would be a challenge for his players to regroup before facing the Stormers in Cape Town next week.
"It's a big learning curve. There's a lot of talent but this will go down in the experience box.
"It's still early in the competition. Not many teams will come here and beat these guys."
Lam had exhausted his reserve bench by midway through the second spell but late injuries left the team seriously under-manned, allowing the Bulls to bag two late tries.
Of most concern was a suspected eye socket fracture to winger Rene Ranger while lock Kurtis Haiu exited early following a heavy head knock, prop Tony Woodcock suffered a hamstring strain and fullback Isaia Toeava a knee injury.
Captain Keven Mealamu was still feeling a calf strain suffered last week.
Better news is that flanker Jerome Kaino and halfback Taniela Moa have joined the team and winger Joe Rokocoko will do so in coming days after all three oversaw the arrival of their first children in the past week. Rokocoko's arrived two days ago.
Unfortunately Toeava and Ranger were among the Blues' best, along with centre Anthony Tuitavake. They all scored tries.
But they came largely through unstructured play, with their forwards unable to get a firm foothold in the game.
Bulls winger Bryan Habana raced onto a grubber kick from influential halfback Fourie Du Preez inside four minutes to open the scoring, followed by a try to Dewald Potgieter which was set up by a bust from fellow-loose forward Spies.
It was apparent the Blues were in for a long afternoon when fullback Zane Kirchner crossed from a simple scrum blindside move and Spies crossed for the their bonus point fourth try when he gathered a weak chip from Blues winger Paul Williams on the halfway line and galloped away from first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth.
The Blues finally opened their account when Ranger was given space down the right touchline, followed by a slick Tuitavake try soon before halftime - with Toeava playing a role in both.
Du Preez put the hosts 42-14 clear with 30min remaining after a slick lineout move and the game lost structure from there.
Benefiting most were the Blues, who crossed through reserve flanker Onosa'i Auva'a and Toeava but Spies scored his second try via a powerful surge and second five-eighth Wynand Oliver finished off the final play of the game with a classy Bulls try.
Bulls 59 (Pierre Spies 2, Bryan Habana, Dewald Potgieter, Zane Kirchner, Fourie Du Preez, Wynand Olivier tries; Morne Steyn 3 pen, 4 con, dropped goal, Burton Francis 2 con) Blues 26 (Rene Ranger, Anthony Tuitavake, Onosa'i A uva'a, Isaia Toeava tries; Jimmy Gopperth 2 con, Michael Hobbs con). Halftime: 32-14.
- NZPA