Rugby
KweséESPN Staff 6y

Self-belief the key for Bulls in New Zealand, says Spies

Rugby, Super Rugby

It's been five years since the Bulls have won a Super Rugby match in New Zealand, and they've only once been able to beat the Crusaders at home in Christchurch back in 1996 when they were still NorthernTransvaal. But former Bulls and Springbok eighthman Pierre Spies believes the current team can change this record.

The task awaiting the Bulls in New Zealand is a mammoth one as they start this leg of their Super Rugby tour on Friday with a match against the Chiefs followed next Friday by the Crusaders. And it's the latter contest against the Crusaders that really intrigues Spies as what he believes will be a real show of the character of this Bulls team.

Spies has spent a fair bit of time playing in some of the most intimidating stadiums in world rugby. And as he spent some quality time with his sons at last weekend's Vodacom Red Father and Son Sleepout on the main field at Loftus Versfeld, the aura around this stadium made him consider the challenge the Bulls will face in Christchurch.

"It's difficult to speak about the experience of playing there in theory. I mean, look at Loftus which can be very intimidating for visiting teams. I've spent so much time at Loftus and I know the field inside out, but at the Father and Son Sleepout it was still amazing for me to experience it. Taking my kids there and taking them through the corridors and into the changerooms and then sleeping on the field was an amazing experience.

"In Christchurch, the players need to believe in themselves. If you believe in your teammates, your systems and your coach then anything is possible."

Spies is confident the Bulls are on the right track under new coach John Mitchell.

"The Bulls have a very talented side and they have a very good coach in John Mitchell. They are a young team in many aspects, but there is a lot of talent there and this will be a good testing ground for them.

"But they've got nothing to lose. They'll go into the Crusaders match as underdogs, which is perfect because it will take the pressure off them. They should just go and play to their abilities."

TEAMS FOR HAMILTON

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Fa'auli, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Tiaan Falcon, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Mitchell Brown, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross.

Replacements: 16 Liam Polwart, 17 Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Marty McKenzie/Bailyn Sullivan, 23 Declan O'Donnell.

Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.

Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Jason Jenkins/Tim Agaba, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Johnny Kotze.

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