Midfield match-up key for Bulls

The Bulls and Waratahs have both made significant alterations to their midfields for their Super Rugby showdown in Sydney on Friday.

And Bulls coach Frans Ludeke readily admits it is an area of the game that will be crucial in the outcome of the match.

The Tahs' brought back first-choice outside centre Rob Horne (following a two-week suspension) and moved Adam Ashley-Cooper closer to the action at inside centre. This is a far more powerful combination than the Tom Kingston and Tom Carter mix that featured in the loss to the Brumbies last week - with Kingston starting on the right wing and Carter playing off the bench.

The rib injury suffered by veteran Springbok Wynand Olivier against the Rebels last week necessitated the changes among the Bulls' centres - who reverted to the alliance they used in Week One (when Olivier was also injured), Johann Sadie and Francois Venter.

Ludeke, speaking from the team's training base in Sydney, told this website that can just replace the experience of a quality player like Olivier.

However, he added that he is excited to see what the Sadie-Venter combination can bring to the game this week.

"Wynand is indeed a calming influence in our team, but his injury provides an opportunity to two other players .... Sadie and Venter.

"They did play together in the beginning of the season and Francois [Venter] made his debut in the Currie Cup last year. Johann [Sadie] also performed well in the Currie Cup [for Western Province] and Super Rugby [for the Stormers, before arriving in Pretoria in the off-season].

"We are excited about them playing together again - it will be a great challenge for them in the midfield [against  Horne and Ashley-Cooper] to ensure we get good front-foot ball and they are rock solid on defence," the Bulls mentor added.

Much was expected of Sadie since his departure to Pretoria from Cape Town and his detractors feel he has not played to his true potential.

"Johann is the first person who will acknowledge that," Ludeke said about the criticism of the young midfielder, adding: "He wants to make a big contribution.

"[However] he picked up a [shoulder] injury in the first week, which he had to work through. This is good timing for him, he had a chance to work through the injuries and make a good recovery. The last two weeks we played him off the bench and he showed he has no after effects from that injury.

"He is determined to make a big contribution for us on Friday."

Another player who returns from injury and could make an impact in Sydney is openside flank Deon Stegmann, who has missed a large chunk of the season with a hamstring strain.

But midfield is where Ludeke feels the biggest battle will be.

"We are in for a big challenge and it is great to have a guy like Deon [Stegmann] back," he told this website.

"He is an experienced player and brings a completely different skills set to the game - he is a breakdown specialist, along with his defence. He can carry the ball as well."

However, the midfield will be a crucial battle on Friday, according to the coach.

"They [the Waratahs] are a team that defends well," he said, adding: "So far only the Crusaders have scored a four-try bonus point against them this season.

"It is important to us that we  lay a solid foundation in the midfield and amongst the tight forwards so that we get momentum and front-foot ball ... that is where the good scoring opportunities will come from."

Despite having made a few changes to the team, all related to injury, Ludeke said it is not a major disruption.

"We had a good week ... the two days we had off, Saturday and Sunday [after last Fridays' win over the Rebels] helped tremendously.

"We had a short travel from Melbourne to Sydney and are ready for the game."

By Jan de Koning