Bulls boss wants leaders back
Canterbury Bulls coach Darrell Coad hopes pack leaders Chris Bamford and Agaese Figo will stay for another year to ‘‘ show the young guys the ropes’’ as they bounce back from their national rugby league premiership grand final defeat.
The Bulls were battered, 41-10, by the Counties Manukau Stingrays in Auckland last Saturday after winning the Albert Baskerville Shield national title in 2014.
Coad was confident beforehand that the Bulls could go back to back, but he conceded they made too many errors and the Stingrays took every opportunity they got at Mt Smart Stadium.
Bamford, the Bulls captain, and vice-captain Fiso, were among Canterbury’s best with Bamford providing vital go-forward, particularly in the first half, and Fiso never dropping his tackling intensity from first to last whistle.
‘‘Aga [Fiso] reckons he’s going to retire, but I hope he stays on for another year, either as a player or a coach,’’ Coad said. ‘‘He was outstanding [on Saturday], just inspirational and he reads the game so well. Chris made a commitment to stay here instead of going to be best man at his mate’s wedding in Melbourne. It was a huge decision for him, and the boys really respect him for that. I hope he hangs around a little bit longer and shows these guys the ropes because we’ve got some good young players here and I think Canterbury rugby league has a bright future.’’
Coad said the Bulls’ preparation was ‘‘just outstanding’’ and he was confident they could beat Counties by ‘‘13 and over’’ on the eve of the final.
They arrived in Auckland on Friday, had a meal together and a team talk and a video presentation from former Warriors and Kiwis coach Bluey McClennan. Coad was convinced Canterbury had as ‘‘much firepower’’ than Counties, but the Bulls ‘‘made a lot of errors’’.
It was fourth time lucky for Counties Manukau after three previous final defeats to the Akarana Falcons.
Scorers: Stingrays 41 (Sione Feao 2, Saipani Aiolupo, Reece Charlie, George Edwards, Joseph Price, Johny Henry tries; Mikaere Beattie 6 goals, Edwards field goal) Bulls 10 (Danny Latu, Tevin Arona tries; James Baxendale goal). HT: 22-4.