We have nothing to fear - Handre

That’s the message that Handre Pollard is taking into the changeroom at the Westpac stadium on Saturday evening (NZ time) when his team head into their Vodacom Super Rugby playoff game against the Hurricanes.

Pollard knows that few people give his side a chance, but he also knows they gave the Vodacom Bulls no chance in their overseas tour a few weeks back and the team fought hard to secure two draws to stay unbeaten in New Zealand this season.

It isn’t hard to see where they are drawing their motivation from, although critics will be quick to point out the Hurricanes are a different beast to the sides they faced in New Zealand this year.

That, plus the travel factor that has to count against them, makes them overwhelming underdogs for the game.

But that doesn’t bother Pollard, who is feeding off the excitement of the first playoff spot since 2013, and the fact his team are, for the first time in his career at the Bulls, not out of the competition at this stage.

"It’s playoffs, we haven’t made the playoffs in six or seven years so it is a massive motivation for us. This group has never played a playoff match and there is a lot of excitement among the guys. The Canes are a brilliant side and it will be tough but we have nothing to fear," he said.

"It is what it is, playing in New Zealand away is always tough but we take quite a bit of confidence out of our tour we had a few weeks ago. Those couple of draws were really gutsy performances from our side and if we can stay in the fight for the full 80, anything can happen. It’s playoff rugby, one mistake at the wrong time or one piece of brilliance at the right time can swing the game your way."

The Bulls know the Canes will be waiting for them and will want to hit them hard early, but there is something different in this Bulls’ team outlook. They actually enjoy the fight.

"Those things can happen, especially against a side away from home, against a side with all that X factor. They can come out of the blocks firing but we have the confidence to handle whatever they throw at us, and then just keep fighting. This bunch of guys likes the fight, they like the tough matches and we are looking forward to another one on Saturday," he added.

Armed with a monster pack that is getting better with each game, Pollard smiles when talking about Duane Vermeulen’s influence on the forwards. He also knows if they pitch up and dominate like they have at times this season, it gives the Bulls a real chance of an upset.

"It’s unbelievable, I told him after the match as well. It’s great to see how they have matured as a pack. We know the scrum has been good for a couple of weeks now but now they are dominating other packs and it is great to see as a backline. We will need more of that this weekend definitely, so just looking forward to what the boys can bring," he said.

And while the Bulls may be living on a prayer, and have been written off everywhere, they know what their strengths are. And they have fought back from losing positions twice in New Zealand this year.

That means they will have some confidence and calm going into the game. And that could be their biggest ally.