Match Highlights - Pollard inspires Bulls, Stormers edge to slender win
Handre Pollard was instrumental as the Bulls eased to a 30-12 Super Rugby victory over the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, while the Stormers edged out the Sharks 16-11.
Duane Vermeulen and Warrick Gelant scored tries for the Bulls, but it was Pollard's kicking precision which proved decisive.
The 24-year-old plundered 20 points with his boot to ensure that Carlu Sadie and Dylan Smith's tries for the hosts, who have been runners-up in the past three Super Rugby finals, proved futile.
"It was a great team effort," said Pollard.
"I did not expect to win by such a wide margin given the Lions' record against us [the Lions have won their last four meetings].
"Everyone contributed and I want to give special praise to Eli Snyman [who replaced injured captain Lood de Jager]. He had big shoes to fill and lasted the full 80 minutes."
At Kings Park in Durban, meanwhile, the Stormers did just enough to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Sharks.
The Stormers got their reward for a bright start when full-back Damian Willemse intercepted to score the only try of the first half.
Sarel Petrus Marais added two penalties to extend the Stormers' lead, but Lukhanyo Am set up a tense finale with a try for the Sharks.
A second penalty from Robert Du Preez reduced the Stormers' lead to 13-11, but another Marais penalty ensured maximum points for the visitors.
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we need a damaging 12 that takes 2 men to tackle that will take pressure off the 10 while also creating space for the 10 and 13 . Leicester is the only guy that fits the mould . The next thing is " will he be able to develop a good offload " ? .
for 13 Joey manu has more x factor then reiko and jordie put togeather . he's got one season in japan before he looks to come home . he's a dark horse but his skill set is something the All Blacks don't have . if he comes home and lights up the npc in a game or 2 , id love to see him fast tracked and come off the bench for the All Blacks and thrown into the deep end to see if he can swim . Just to see if he's worth the time and effort to develop further . We all saw how good sualii did for the wallabies and joey manu is just as good as sualii . He's safe under the high ball , a solid defender , has a master offload , and he's fast and strong .
he fits the mould for razor's offload tactics .
Plus reiko and jordie have had the 12 & 13 for how long and I haven't seen anything special from either of them .
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