The Pumas’ dismantling of the Blue Bulls in their Currie Cup opener at Loftus Versfeld last Sunday was no fluke.
The Currie Cup champions started the defence of their title in emphatic fashion when they hammered the Bulls 63-15 at fortress Loftus in a match in which they unleashed all their attacking prowess against the hapless hosts.
The Blue Bulls, perhaps observing the Sabbath, were passive in defence as the Pumas ran in nine tries playing with guile, pace and purpose, while fearlessly offloading to telling effect.
“We knew we had to come with more this season,” said Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse, who was well aware he needed to bring his team to a level where they can compete with players who campaign regularly in the United Rugby Championship.
“In pre-season we upped the tempo and tried to keep the ball in play. We had to improve our continuity,” said Stonehouse, who lauded the effort of his fellow coaches in getting the team into the best possible shape for the defence of their Currie Cup title.
He knew if they were going to play a lung busting style that is also high on intensity, they would need to improve their conditioning and fitness.
“If you’re not fit you would not be able to play this game,” said the coach. “Usually a team’s level of fitness will show in how they defend because you need to keep folding. We went through a great deal of trouble. It was really tough on the players.”
We beat Namibia by a huge margin and then you can start thinking that you are better than others
— Jimmy Stonehouse
Improved fitness had to be accompanied by a sharper skill set if the Pumas hoped to bring the blowtorch to opposing defences. They were audacious in attack and generally looked at home in exalted company at Loftus.
Before the match Stonehouse encouraged his players to seize the moment.
“It is great to measure yourself against these players. I told my players that this is a good opportunity for them to get noticed.”
As defending Currie Cup champions the coach was desperate to guard against complacency.
“We beat Namibia by a huge margin and then you can start thinking that you are better than others.”
The performance against the Blue Bulls, however, showed that their hunger for success is undiminished.
Stonehouse was magnanimous and objective about the performance at Loftus, calling it a once in a lifetime experience. “We made every pass stick. It was just one of those days,” he said adding: “the guys took good options.”
The win was particularly gratifying for the coach who pointed out the Blue Bulls were in must-win territory as the franchise had already suffered two defeats.
“They really needed the win. They retained 13 players from the Lions game,” said Stonehouse.
It’s clear the Pumas don’t label matches as “must win” as a means of survival. For them its an obligation.
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