Bulls must ‘rise above the pain’

Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee wants his hurting troops to unleash their pain on Lyon in their Champions Cup last-16 showdown tomorrow at Loftus Versfeld (kick-off 1.30pm).

When the lights were shining bright in Dublin in a United Rugby Championship top-of-the-table clash against Leinster, the Pretoria side didn’t put on their best performance on stage. Instead, they were on the receiving end of a 47-14 loss that left them scarred.

Going into their crucial Champions Cup round-of-16 encounter with a team they know very well, Lyon, Coetzee wants the Bulls players, particularly the young crop, who would have taken the Leinster loss the hardest, to rise above the pain and show growth.

“As the Bulls, we are hurting, we are a proud union, we pride ourselves on our rugby. The boys are hurting, and I think (this weekend) is all about getting up now and unleashing it,” Coetzee told the media.

“A lot of the youngsters in the squad are chasing the Springbok dream and want to be the best in their positions. Then collectively, we are still trying for the team goal of being the best and some lessons you unfortunately learn the hard way.

“When I was a junior pursuing my dreams, I played in games where I got 40 or 50, but it’s your attitude on how you confront that; that’s what we as leaders are trying to instil in the youngsters now.

“It’s up to the individual to take it on the chin, to take it as a lesson and as growing,” he said.

The Bulls skipper is looking for players to raise their hands against Lyon, as he sees the game as an important one for their season.

“It’s up to the individual to stand up and how they contribute to the team going into the weekend. It’s important for the campaign and morale as well. The big thing is we have to respect it for what it is, it’s a play-off game in the European Cup, and it’s another opportunity to make things right,” he said.

The experienced Coetzee understands the importance of home games in the competition, and wants his side to use the fortress that is Loftus to their advantage against Lyon.

“There are margins and differences that help you win a knockout game and playing at home is one of them, especially at Loftus,” said the former Springbok.