OLD habits die hard \u2014 that is what new Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has learnt as he has prepared a new side for the Currie Cup season.<\/p>\n
Marais will take charge of his first Currie Cup match on Saturday when the Bulls take on the Free State Cheetahs in their in Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n
The new head honcho took over the reins immediately after the conclusion of the Bulls\u2019 poor Super Rugby season.<\/p>\n
Immediately he promised a change in the style of play and the unearthing of new talent.<\/p>\n
In terms of blooding future stars\u201a Marais has already ticked that box.<\/p>\n
There are no fewer than 15 players in the match 22 who were not part of the Bulls\u2019 last Super Rugby match against the Cheetahs at Loftus\u201a and no fewer than eight possible debutants for Saturday\u2019s clash.<\/p>\n
However\u201a the coach has not found it smooth sailing in ridding the players of the tricks they learned under previous coach Frans Ludeke.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo get old habits out takes longer than just five weeks\u201a\u201d Marais said on Thursday of his preparations with the team ahead of the domestic season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a continuous process \u2014 something that we are going to have to look to improve every week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marais\u201a a former junior and Varsity Cup coach with Tukkies\u201a has worked with most of the players in his squad before.<\/p>\n
He has also opted to put his faith in the youthful players.<\/p>\n
The weekend\u2019s team has an average age of 24.<\/p>\n
Scrumhalf Francois Hougaard\u201a 27\u201a is the oldest backline player while 30-year-old prop Werner Kruger is the most senior citizen.<\/p>\n
At only 19\u201a Hanro Liebenberg is the youngest member of the team. The bench boasts a youthful age average of 23.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of excitement in the players. I can feel the energy among the players and the team\u201a\u201d said Marais.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of players who have been waiting for their opportunities. A guy like Warrick Gelant is very exciting and he\u2019s been waiting for an opportunity on the bigger stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are expecting a lot from a guy like William Small-Smith. There are also those combinations like Small-Smith and Burger Odendaal with [flyhalf] Tian Schoeman.\u201d<\/p>\n
The side will also be led by a new captain in Lappies Labuschagne.<\/p>\n
Just last season the 26-year-old turned out in the orange strip of the Cheetahs before switching allegiance to the Bulls ahead of the Super Rugby season.<\/p>\n
Labuschagne is determined that the side has put their woeful Super Rugby campaign behind them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened in Super Rugby is not relevant now\u201a\u201d Labuschagne said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a new group and a new campaign \u2014 we are starting afresh. We are all looking forward to playing some good rugby.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bulls team:<\/p>\n
Warrick Gelant\u201a Travis Ismaiel\u201a William Small-Smith\u201a Burger Odendaal\u201a Jamba Ulengo\u201a Tian Schoeman\u201a Francois Hougaard\u201a Hanro Liebenberg\u201a Lappies Labuschagne\u201a Deon Stegmann\u201a Marvin Orie\u201a Jacques du Plessis\u201a Werner Kruger\u201a Jaco Visagie\u201a Dean Greyling. Replacements: Bandise Maku\u201a Nqoba Mxoli\u201a RG Snyman\u201a Roelof Smit\u201a Ivan van Zyl\u201a Louis Fouche\u201a Dries Swanepoel.<\/p>\n
The Cheetahs team:<\/p>\n
Coenie van Wyk; Clayton Blommetjies\u201a Francois Venter\u201a Rayno Benjamin\u201a Raymond Rhule; Niel Marais\u201a Shaun Venter; Gerhard Oliver\u201a Henco Venter\u201a Boom Prinsloo; Francois Uys\u201a Willem Serfontein; Luan de Bruin\u201a Neil Rautenbach\u201a Caylib Oosthuizen. Replacements Jacques du Toit\u201a Maks van Dyk\u201a BG Uys\u201a Reniel Hugo\u201a Tienie Burger; Zee Makhabela\u201a Fred Zeilinga. \u2013 The Times<\/p>\n
Source: RDM News Wire.<\/p>\n