Misfiring Bulls do enough
COACH: SOME NIGHTS YOUR ATTACK DOESN’T GO FOR YOU
Rebels spoilers make it difficult for Mitchell’s men.
Bulls coach John Mitchell certainly did not need any fan survey to know the fare that was dished out in the second half of their Super Rugby match against the Rebels at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend was not what viewers or spectators want to see.
Having produced a promising first half that saw them leading 21-3 at the break, the Bulls were by-and-large stymied by the Rebels’ efforts to spoil and slow down the game, and the weak refereeing of Ben O’Keeffe that allowed the visitors to do it. In the end the Bulls managed to squeeze a bonus point win out of the mess, triumphing 28-10.
“It was certainly not our doing but the game was very stop/start with lots of stoppages. If the game is going to head in that direction, being totally negative, then not many people are going to want to watch it. I’m not sure how to judge the referee but that was not presentable as a spectacle today. There’s always a lot of emotion straight after a game, but we need to take a good look at that,” Mitchell said after the match.
Admittedly, the Bulls did not help themselves with the attack misfiring, the offloads just not going to hand, and the execution of the basics was not up to the mark either.
“Some nights your attack just doesn’t go for you, I don’t know why, and that’s when you have to rely on the other form of the game (defence). We put some very good line-speed on them but we weren’t terrific in the tackle. We enjoy the fractured game we put on them that comes from strong defence, although clearly we did not convert enough opportunities.
“We also chased a few lost causes, but the scoreline shows though that the defence was of the highest calibre tonight. Some weeks you just don’t get it right, but credit to the guys for keeping their heads. I’m satisfied to get five points from the game in very challenging and strange circumstances. I’m proud of the team for not letting the frustration get to them,” Mitchell said.