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The Bulls preparation for the Super 12 is back on track after they've concluded their brief tour of Fiji on a high note on Wednesday. Phil Pretorius' charges beat a strong Fijian Warriors side 19-14 in a tough encounter. And Pretorius, who read his team the riot act after they've lost the first game on tour, afterwards proclaimed the tour a success. The Bulls showed a lot of courage in the game after the coach accused the players of lacking passion and pride in their defeat in the tour opener. "The biggest characteristic of the game was the team's guts," Pretorius said from Nandi. "At times we attacked very well and scored three good tries in the process." He, however, added it wasn't a great game, but said he was satisfied with the overall performance. Lock Victor Matfield, No 8 Anton Leonard and wing Gavin Passens scored for the Bulls. Fullback Casper Steyn added two conversions. "The guys played very well. It was a tough game and very physical." The Bulls had to dig deep in their reserves in the last two minutes to defend their five-point lead against a Fijian side throwing everything into attack. "It showed fighting spirit and guts and that is what I want from my team. "We've worked them a lot since the match on Saturday and they were clearly tired, but never gave up. They wanted that win," the delighted coach added. He said the Bulls were well on their way to achieving what they wanted to before the Super 12 kicks off in less than three weeks time. "Everything is in place. I'm not saying we are going to cause havoc, but the Bulls are really well prepared. We don't have the big names other teams have, and it's going to ask a massive team effort to do well. "Although the players are very tired after playing seven games in 15 days, the team spirit is very good and the players are really fit." The Bulls are prolific under-achievers in the Super 12 and will have to improve a lot if they want to erase the sad memories of the previous two seasons. They finished last in 1999 and second from the bottom last year - something Pretorius would want to avoid in his maiden season at the Bulls helm.
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