IT HAS only been just over a week since the Blue Bulls started their pre-season preparations for next year, but the side is already itching to return to the field, says coach Frans Ludeke.
"Everybody had a good rest. We had a four-week break after the back-to-back competitions, Super Rugby and the Currie Cup. There was no real break for the players in between the competitions," Ludeke said yesterday.
The coach reflected on the Bulls' season, where their struggles on the road led to a slump in the Super Rugby competition and the failure to make it to the play-offs.
On the domestic scene, the Bulls had a poor start to their Currie Cup campaign, but managed to turn it around and reach the semifinals.
Ludeke admitted that "consistency let us down", but promised that errors would be ironed out.
It is evident in the pre-season preparations that both management and the players are eager to hit the ground running.
"It's good to see them have that excitement and hunger back. It's great to see that the players have a totally new focus and energy. They've been working hard on specifics, but also doing the hard yards on their conditioning. There's also been focus on the repetition of small issues that cost us last season," Ludeke said.
The coach is beaming about is the fact that, in contrast to previous seasons, there has not been an exodus of senior players from Loftus. Bongi Mbonambi, who has joined Western Province, and lock Paul Willemse, who has gone in search of greener pastures and a heftier pay cheque in France, are the only notable departures .
The coach is looking forward to welcoming new recruits Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane at the conclusion of the Springbok end- of-year tour.
Ludeke ready to grab the Bulls by the horns
IT HAS only been just over a week since the Blue Bulls started their pre-season preparations for next year, but the side is already itching to return to the field, says coach Frans Ludeke.
"Everybody had a good rest. We had a four-week break after the back-to-back competitions, Super Rugby and the Currie Cup. There was no real break for the players in between the competitions," Ludeke said yesterday.
The coach reflected on the Bulls' season, where their struggles on the road led to a slump in the Super Rugby competition and the failure to make it to the play-offs.
On the domestic scene, the Bulls had a poor start to their Currie Cup campaign, but managed to turn it around and reach the semifinals.
Ludeke admitted that "consistency let us down", but promised that errors would be ironed out.
It is evident in the pre-season preparations that both management and the players are eager to hit the ground running.
"It's good to see them have that excitement and hunger back. It's great to see that the players have a totally new focus and energy. They've been working hard on specifics, but also doing the hard yards on their conditioning. There's also been focus on the repetition of small issues that cost us last season," Ludeke said.
The coach is beaming about is the fact that, in contrast to previous seasons, there has not been an exodus of senior players from Loftus. Bongi Mbonambi, who has joined Western Province, and lock Paul Willemse, who has gone in search of greener pastures and a heftier pay cheque in France, are the only notable departures .
The coach is looking forward to welcoming new recruits Adriaan Strauss and Trevor Nyakane at the conclusion of the Springbok end- of-year tour.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos