Bulls attack coach Neil de Bruin says the Pretoria outfit must find the right balance between attack and defence if they are to prevail against Zebre at Loftus Versfeld in their United Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.
To find that balance, De Bruin insists the Bulls need to produce a total team effort, with all 15 players on the park contributing to both aspects of the game.
“It’s definitely a team effort,” De Bruin told reporters on Tuesday. “If we defend well, like we have been the last couple of weeks — getting transition moments and stopping the opposition from going forward — it really does help our attack.”
The coach described the relationship between the two aspects of the game as a delicate equilibrium.
“Whether you kick more or are a possession-based side… it’s almost like a yin and a yang effect where you can’t have too much of one or the other. It’s about knowing when to keep the ball and when to play. Those small decisions will be crucial.”
With only two rounds of fixtures remaining, the seventh-placed Bulls can cement their place in the top eight with a victory over the beleaguered Italians.
While the Parma-based outfit have often been the “whipping boys” of the competition, the Bulls have struggled with inconsistent performances this season, particularly at home.
De Bruin insists his side will be tuned in and will not take their opponents lightly.
“Underestimate Zebre? I can assure you there is none of that,” he said. “Especially given our position and how open the play-off spots are, everyone understands the importance of the next few weeks.
“If you don’t do the right things, by the time you open your eyes you could have missed the play-offs completely.”
For De Bruin, the path to the post-season lies in maintaining focus on the granular details of the contest.
“It’s about getting your next job right. The next scrum, the next tackle, the next assignment. Those moments add up to a result.”
