With the winds of change having swept through the Blue Bulls Currie Cup coaching team‚ expect some fresh breezes on the playing field too. Newly appointed coach Nollis Marais on Tuesday announced his extended squad for the competition which starts in August‚ as well as two warm-up matches against the Eastern Province Kings and Japan side Canon Eagles later this month.Marais‚ a former Tuks Varsity Cup‚ Bulls under-21 and Vodacom Cup coach‚ has opted to go with a largely youthful squad which comprises mostly players whom he moulded in the early stages of their careers.He is hopeful that will put him in good stead as the side bids to win the Currie Cup for the first time since 2009.“We have quite a few youngsters who will challenge for places and will put the seniors under pressure‚” Marais said from Loftus Versfeld.“There are only about five players in the squad that have not played for me in the junior ranks. Hopefully that will give me an advantage.”The Bulls have in previous seasons been criticised for their lack of action in affording younger players ample opportunity to prove themselves.Marais has made it known that this will change‚ and some of his products from the junior ranks will get chances.“For me if a guy is in form‚ he will play. If he’s good enough‚ I will give him his chance‚” the new coach said.Marais is also hoping to change the Bulls brand of rugby which has also come under the microscope from both fans and critics.With the change of management at the Pretoria side‚ it seems the Bulls may take a different direction in their playing style too — a more attacking brand with the players being afforded more freedom to express themselves.“We can’t be so strict on the players that they don’t want to move on the field. We want to create freedom for them to play‚” he said.“If you look at the teams I’ve coached — we had the top try scorers in the Vodacom Cup — although we didn’t win it.“If you look at the Varsity Cup side‚ we had the top try scorers‚ and we had the top try scorers in the under-21s. Now we want to bring a style that complements our players. That is something we are definitely going to change.“There might be a few headaches in the beginning‚ but there definitely will be a change.“The players are buying into it — it’s something new for them as well. We’ve already made certain adjustments that will complement the players.”One thing the new coach has not yet decided on is the captain.“I’ve had that question a few times already‚ even (CEO) Barend (van Graan) asked me‚” said Marais.“I have one-one-ones with each of the players in the squad. The first thing I wanted to do was to give everyone the same opportunity.“I want the players to train and not have the added pressure of being captain at the back of their mind.“The talk in the one-on-one sessions is what they will bring to the field.“If I was to select a captain now and it was done and dusted‚ I wouldn’t want to change [later] because throughout my career I’ve always wanted to have the same captain.“I want to see if the guys can do what they say they can do.“Thereafter I will select a new captain in maybe three to four weeks.“As soon as I’m happy that the person is doing what they are supposed to be doing then I’ll select a captain. There are a few players in the running so it will depend on who will put up their hand.”The Bulls returned to training this week in preparation of the upcoming domestic season.– The Times..