Nizaam Carr believes that all-out commitment and execution is key to the Vodacom Bulls snapping a seven-game losing streak against the DHL Stormers on Saturday.
The Bulls face the Stormers in round 10 of the Vodacom URC at Loftus Versfeld. Jake White’s charges are third on the standings after seven wins and three losses, while the Capetonians will travel to Pretoria in sixth place with a 6-4 record in the competition.
However, John Dobson’s charges make the trip looking to continue their unbeaten URC run against South African opponents since December 2021 with an eighth consecutive win in the north-south derby.
Speaking in a Bulls conference in the buildup to the blockbuster clash on the Highveld, Carr emphasised what it will take to end the Stormers’ dominance while highlighting the mentality of The Herd.
“I think every time we play them it’s close; we can’t say it’s luck because they’ve beaten us seven times now but sometimes I feel it’s the bounce of the ball, where the momentum is shifting every time,” he told reporters.
“The crowd also plays a big role and hopefully that can work in our favour being at home, with [an expected] over 50 000 coming out.
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“There’s always one or two tweaks how we want to combat them, and at the end of the day it comes down to execution. Only we will know if we are doing that and the results have shown every time that we’re falling short.
“But we believe and keep fighting that things will turn out differently, and we have a good chance [on Saturday] to do so.”
Carr added: “It’s also about the mindset and if you’re going to make too big of an occasion you’re probably going to freeze on the day. If you overthink things like, ‘I should’ve been here’ or ‘I’m too flat, I’m too deep’, then you’ve probably lost the battle already.
“If you are there, do it 100%; if you do it wrong, do it 100% wrong but never ever be 50/50 or ‘I’m not where I’m supposed to be at the right time’ or complaining.”
The 32-year-old loose forward featured prominently at the Western Province and Stormers between 2011 and 2018, but is clear on where his allegiances lie.
“For me, growing up in Cape Town, all you wanted to do was beat the Bulls. Now being at the Bulls it’s very weird for me to switch like that, but this is my job and I love doing what I’m doing and will give my best to any team I join,” he said.
“I never understood what it was like on this side, and it’s no different – you want to beat the people down there in the south! Even my family, a lot of them didn’t forgive me for joining the different shade of blue… They’re still questioning my decision, and this is my fourth year here.
“For me, it’s tough but it’s an encounter I enjoy and it brings the best out of me, and us as the Bulls. I’m going to go all in when I get the opportunity.”
Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
