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John Mitchell asks Bulls board for $10 million war chest

John Mitchell

Blue Bulls head coach John Mitchell has reportedly requested NZD$10,000,000 (R90,000,000) from the Bulls board of directors in order to compete in the recruitment market for high-end talent, according to Rapport newspaper.

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Mitchell is concerned with the lack of depth in the Bulls squad, and the damage that is being done by playing youngsters too early in Super Rugby.

“We need to stop exposing youngsters to this competition too quickly and relying on youngsters who just can’t handle this competition, [while also] relying on a handful of Test players and expect them to last the full season,’ he said earlier this season.

“We have got a very good process and very good systems.

“We are going to have to recruit. It is as simple as that. We are going to have to change our mindset from quantity to quality and create two teams of Super Rugby quality to be able to manage workloads and injuries.

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The Bulls are reportedly targeting Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen, retired hooker Schalk Brits, Frans Malherbe, Jean-Luc du Preez and Wandisile Simelane to bolster the quality of the squad. They recently missed out on the signature of Lions flanker Cyle Brink, who was reportedly close to joining the side.

Mitchell, who doubles as the executive of rugby, wants complete control of the high-performance programme and buy-in from the Board of Directors on his strategy. He refused a contract extension earlier this year to extend past the 2019 season and could use that as leverage until his demands are met. He is also after a full-time defence coach for next year’s Super Rugby season.

Members of the board are reportedly not happy with the request after this year’s performance. The Bulls finished the Super Rugby season in 12th position overall, with six wins and 10 losses coming in last in the South African conference.

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Nickers 16 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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