What NICK MALLETT had to say on SuperSport after the Super Rugby matches at Ellis Park and Loftus Versfeld.
Bulls vs Hurricanes
‘I have never been more pleased to have been wrong. It is a great turnaround and hopefully we will get bigger crowds at Loftus to support the Bulls because that was a really gutsy performance, skilful and gutsy performance, by the Bulls. It was just everything you would expect from a South African team against a New Zealand team and thank goodness we came out on top.
‘There were two controversial disallowed tries that evened itself out for both teams. I think the Bulls were unlucky not to get a try awarded in the first half by (RG) Snyman, and (TJ) Perenara was unlucky not to have been adjudged to have that downward pressure in his attempt.
‘In the end, the Bulls deserved their win because they stuck in there and played for each other. Their fitness levels were good and their offloading game was excellent. Their scrummaging was much better than last year and a lot of credit must be given to the tighthead prop [Frans van Wyk] who came in. Then their defence, we spoke about it, but they got stuck in the whole game.
‘So it is an outstanding result and with the Lions next week at Loftus, the whole of Gauteng must turn up there and support their team.’
HIGHLIGHTS: Bulls vs Hurricanes
Lions vs Jaguares
‘It was a solid second half from the Lions. There was some really good play. I thought that the young man (Aphiwe) Dyantyi really came to the fore in the second half. He scored and created a brilliant try, scored a great try, took a great kick out of the air.
‘It is the arrival of a very talented young player. He made very few mistakes. A couple of little passes went astray. But his acceleration and the timing of his pass at that last try was outstanding. The pace that he showed to run onto the pass and run 70m to score; he made three Jaguares trip up and sidestepped the fullback.
‘I was so excited everytime Dyantyi got the ball. I just felt like everyone was running at three quarter pace and then suddenly he would get the ball and bang… speed the game up. He has a lovely, confident way about him. He looks for work, defends well and always gives 100%. He put in some tackles last week [against the Sharks] and took a high ball this week [against the Jaguares] which was really outstanding. A lot of the time guys going forward are very good, but without the ball you worry about their defensive frailty or how good they are under the high ball.’
‘Dyantyi is a real gem and I quite frankly, think it’s going to be tough to drop him [when Courtnall Skosan returns]. Well done to this youngster, it is a pleasure to watch him in Super Rugby.’
‘We are broadening our strength in depth in that position in South Africa.’
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
