Williams: Bulls backs ready to ‘pull the trigger’

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Fullback Devon Williams says the Vodacom Bulls’ supersonic backline is eager to replicate last week’s high-speed fly-by when they host the Stormers in the North-South derby on Saturday.

Williams teamed up with wingers Canan Moodie and Sebastian de Klerk in a back three that ran in three tries against the Lions at Loftus Versfeld last week as the Bulls played a fourth successive match against SA rivals. That streak extends to five on Saturday as Jake White’s team aims to sweep the Stormers this season, having done the double over the Lions and beaten the Sharks in Pretoria.

These results have left last season’s finalists third on the URC log, two points behind the Glasgow Warriors, and top of the SA Shield, two points ahead of the Sharks who have a game in hand.

“It’s going to be massive,” Williams said on Tuesday. “I don’t think there’s more pressure [with derbies], because it’s just another 80 minutes, but playing derbies is always harder than playing overseas teams. Playing all these derbies in a row doesn’t do the body any favours!

“Obviously we know each other and guys play with each other for the Springboks. So everyone knows a little bit more about the local opposition than about the international teams, and it’s much more personal.”

Williams admitted the Bulls backs had “let the forwards down” during the Sharks match, but was pleased with their response against the Lions.

“We made a commitment to each other to express ourselves again. Everyone knows we are forward dominant – our pack is very strong, scrum and lineout wise – so it’s just a case of getting the balance right in terms of when to pull the trigger [with the backs]. Sometimes we pull the trigger, but then try something off the cuff instead of sticking to the plan.

“The Stormers know we are a forward-dominant team, so obviously they’re going to focus on how they can stop our scrum and maul,” he added. “They would also have seen that we struggled a bit under the high ball against the Sharks, so maybe they will try to target us there.”

READ: Willie having a jol at 10

Willie le Roux’s move to 10 has allowed Williams to get a good run for the Bulls at fullback, his preferred position, and he said his teammate deserved more credit for making the switch.

“When I played for the Pumas and went to flyhalf, it wasn’t the easiest move. Moving from 15 to 10 at this level is not an overnight thing.

“I back Willie at 10 all the way and the more he plays there, the more confidence he will get and the more he will get the mix right [between running, passing and kicking].”

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

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