Bulls lower their horns at stricken Chiefs

22 May 2015 - 02:08 By Chumani Bambani

The Bulls will today have one eye on the log and the other on claiming their first win of their Australasian tour. They face the Chiefs at New Zealand's Rotorua International Stadium at 9.35am.The Pretoria side has indicated via captain Pierre Spies that they want to secure a home play-off spot. In order to do so, Spies and Co will need to cement their spot at the top of the SA conference; and the only way to do so starts with a victory today.Defeat for Frans Ludeke's charges will open the door for the Stormers to overtake them on the log standings and lead the SA conference after the 15th round of matches as the competition draws closer to the play-off stages.The Bulls' impressive recent record over the Chiefs - with the Kiwis having won only one of the last six encounters - makes them slight favourites on paper, but the Pretoria side's record on tour is less than special. They have not won in Australasia in eight games, and have beaten the Chiefs only once in New Zealand.The Bulls could look to take advantage of the Chiefs' injury woes in the second row.There is no Brodie Retallick, Matt Symons nor Michael Allardice, while Michael Fitzgerald will have to pass a late fitness test to be able to play.Facing Victor Matfield at No5 lock is Johan Bardoul - a loose forward who has been forced into the second row by the injuries. If Fitzgerald is not fit, 36-year-old ex-All Black Ross Filipo will come out of retirement to heed the Chiefs' SOS call. On the bench as cover is the untested 21-year-old Brian Alainu'uese, who will be making his debut at lock.The lineouts will be an area the Bulls will want to dominate, together with the scrums, given the issues in the Chiefs' second row.The home side, on the other hand, will want to take control of the breakdown, where flanker Sam Cane will want to govern...

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