Warner: We have sorted things out
BULLISH: SCRUMHALF SAYS BULLS OWE THE LIONS ONE
Ken Borland
Blue Bulls scrumhalf Andre Warner said yesterday there is no greater proof of the importance of staying in the moment than the team’s misery during their 26-10 loss to the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
While the scoreline does not reflect how competitive the Blue Bulls were, contributing fully to an entertaining game with some sparkling attacking play, it does show the Sharks were lethal in capitalising on the mistakes of their visitors, counter-attacking superbly.
And there were mistakes aplenty from the Bulls, with more than 20 handling errors leaving the visitors and their supporters utterly bewildered.
“After a good start to the Currie Cup in Bloemfontein, our confidence was high and we did some good stuff in Durban, but we just didn’t take our opportunities. There were a few handling errors, which were because of mentally not being in the right space. It’s not that we don’t have the skills, we just have to make sure we stay in the moment.
“So we were a bit down after that, but we reviewed it and sorted it out today. It was down to a combination of things, we also dropped a few in training last week so we allowed that to creep in. But there are no doubts about our skill levels and coach Pote Human keeps saying we must not play with fear. There’s no pressure put on us by the coaches, they just let us go out and play and that brings the best out of the players,” Warner said at Loftus Versfeld.
The Golden Lions, probably the most skilled team in the country, are the next assignment for the Blue Bulls, who fortunately get to take them on at the comfort of home. Warner said the lessons from the Sharks game have to be learnt if the Pretoria side are not to suffer a second defeat, which would probably be terminal in the new shortened Currie Cup format.
“We owe the Lions one, they’ve beaten us already this year at Loftus, so it’s down to business for us. We’ll have to stay in the fight and stay in the moment because the Lions have a good set-piece, especially their scrums, and a good drive as well. Marvin Orie is still playing for them too so their lineout will be strong.
“But we have to take our opportunities, not like we did last weekend. Kicking is always part of our game-plan and it will come down to execution and kicking into the right areas,” said Warner, who showed an educated boot against the Sharks.