I can’t believe that I’m sitting here as a losing coach, says McKellar

LEICESTER Tigers head coach Dan McKellar looked to be in shock at what had happened in the final stages of a match his side appeared to be controlling, writes John Wiffen.

“I’m finding it hard to accept that we managed to find a way to lose that game,” said the Australian.

“Ultimately, the second card for Brownie hurt us – 19-7 up, we were well in control of that game.

“(We had) a line-out in the A-zone, instead it was a penalty against you, you go down to 14 and they’re a tough team to defend against with 14. But I thought we were outstanding for 70 minutes.

“To be honest, I can’t believe I’m sitting here as a losing coach. That’s the reality we’ve got to deal with.”

Although Tigers weren’t at their best, they were still in total control heading into the final quarter, yet conspired to shoot themselves in the foot and end up on the losing side.

It’s an all too familiar feeling. Tigers’ Premiership record is now eight wins and eight losses and their season is over with two games left, and that’s simply not good enough.

McKellar, below, said: “We need to reflect on the whole year and that’s another close loss at home.

“Sale, Harlequins, Gloucester and now Bristol; you win those games, those tight ones at home and all of a sudden, you’re sitting pretty in the top four.

“There are a lot of learnings to come out of this year but at the right time we’ll look at it, review it and we’ll be better for it. I’m gutted for the boys, and for our supporters. Another sell-out here at home.

“We wanted to put that performance in for them.

“I know they’ll stick with us but it’s important their support is acknowledged because it’s unique and we’re privileged to be able to do what we do.”

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said he never lost belief his players would come away from Leicester with a result.

Magnus Bradbury scored a lastgasp try as Bristol completed an amazing comeback after Leicester’s Mike Brown had been sent off.

Lam said: “I know we can score four or five tries in the space of 10 to 15 minutes, so I was looking at the clock and said: ‘Keep going, keep believing’.

“That’s why at half-time I was showing them there was plenty of opportunity here and they were doing exactly what we’re doing – let’s just make sure we do what we’ve got to do.

“We just weren’t quite accurate and a couple of guys weren’t in the right places (in the first half), so they knew that if we don’t try and make something happen, just be in a position and someone will make a line break and then get to them.

“Then just keep going and try and keep the tempo up because we could see they were starting to get heavy on their feet, with

their big forwards, as well.”