Shepparton Bulls' Liahona Vaegaau lays a bruising tackle.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Shepparton Bulls have been bucking and bollocking their way through the Victorian Rugby Premiership.
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At Vibert Reserve on Saturday afternoon, Shepparton’s premier rugby union side delivered a masterclass as the Bulls handed opponent Melton a 49-point (52-3) shellacking.
The Bulls were electric from the start as they romped to their fourth win for the season.
Second-rower Luatolu Polutele Mekuli and outside-centre Kitione Seruisavou both scored two tries, while fly-half Herman Ulima finished the day with five completed conversions.
Shepparton sits in third place on the ladder behind Geelong and Kiwi Hawthorn, who have both played at least one more match than the Bulls.
First-grade Bulls coach Moronae Silaga said his side performed the game plan it had prepared for Melton perfectly.
“Melton was a tough opposition last year, they pretty much went undefeated in the championship tournament competition,” Silaga said.
“We wanted Melton to move around because they are such big boys and a big team, so we tried to run out their energy and we tried to use our strength in our speed and I think we did that very well.
“The boys did exactly what we planned them to do.
“We used our backs and speed on the outside to get them.”
Shepparton Bulls' Danny Patea on the fly.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Benjamin Pele lines up his throw.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Pelasio Mainaseva gives the opposition a bear hug.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls halftime.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Liahona Vaegaau mid-scrum.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Herman Ulima kicks a conversion.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Marist Viliamu kicks a bomb.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Niko Taka on the run.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Danny Patea makes a charge.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Marist Viliamu zipping and zagging.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls post-game celebrations.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Benjamin Pele barging his way through Melton.
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Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Bulls' Taniela Veamatahau flies for a lineout.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Silaga was impressed by the whole team’s efforts (especially considering it has a long list of injuries), but the coach was particularly happy with the output the team received from full-back Danny Patea (one try) and half-back Sam Waqarerevaki.
This weekend’s round eight match is an away trip to take on ladder leader Kiwi Hawthorn.
Silaga believes a staunch and stoic defence should give the Bulls a significant victory.
“Not much to change; I just think we have to make our tackles, especially our one-on-one tackles, because the Kiwi boys are pretty fit and we don’t want to allow them to run or give them much space to run,” he said.
“We have to try and close every gap in our defence to make sure they don’t get through.
“That’s the main thing for us, is to put up a very strong and solid defence and if we can do that right, we will probably come home with the win.”
But, if Hawthorn does get time and space to run?
“If we don’t (tackle well), yep, we will probably get smashed,” Silaga said with a laugh.
Silaga also noted the club’s volunteers and players, who have put a lot of time and effort into the club this season to ensure the Bulls stay strong across both first and reserve grades.
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