White still looking for a ‘perfect’ game by his Bulls

Bulls director of rugby Jake White (right) is looking for a perfect display from his side when they take on the Lions in the United Rugby Championship at Ellis Park (3pm).

Although the Bulls have managed to reach fourth place on the URC points table, with 30 points already in the bag, they have not been sound in all aspects of their game.

Their defence at times has often let them down, but their attacking capabilities have been the best in the competition.

Their opponents, the Lions, pounced on their defensive errors last time around when they met in Pretoria, where the Bulls narrowly won 30-28.

The Lions have demonstrated that they are an 80 minute team and always find ways to stay in the game regardless of the situation.

Playing against a team of this nature, White is hoping his side will be able to show consistency in all areas and produce the perfect game at Ellis Park.

“One thing they are good at is they don’t go away,” White told the media yesterday.

“The message from me is we are going to have to click eventually. We have had moments of brilliance in everything, whether it’s been defence or scrumming, or attack, and yes, I’m looking for that perfect game.

“Maybe this is the week where we start hitting our straps and getting everything right.

“My message to the players is ‘let’s see if tomorrow [today] we get it right’. There’s no doubt in my mind because it’s going to happen, they are a talented group of players. I’m just hoping that this will be the game,” he said.

The Bulls were exposed by the Lions when they met last month and at times it was their fault as they gave them a sniff.

The Lions could have stolen the win at the death but substitute flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse missed his last-gasp penalty kick at goal.

White says they can‘t afford to slip up today and give the Lions opportunities.

“We can’t give them those moments, and hopefully we learnt from the last time we played them. It’s still fresh in our memory banks,” he added.

“It wasn’t like we played them five or six rounds ago, we played them in the last round. I’m sure that our boys will be aware of the fact that whatever threats they gave us last time, we won’t be caught like that again,” he confidently added.