PRETORIA – After losing their second consecutive game, the Blue Bulls will have no choice but to win all of their remaining matches if they hope to make the Currie Cup semi-finals.
The Bulls’ 38-35 loss to the Golden Lions at Loftus last Saturday has placed the men in blue in a precarious situation where they can no longer afford another defeat after losing to the Sharks in Durban a week earlier.
However, Bulls captain Hanro Liebenberg is hopeful that they can still make it to the semis with the character that his team possesses.
“I think there is a lot of character in this team.
“I don’t doubt that there is enough character to win the last three games. I don’t doubt the team, any player, the management so we will come back stronger. We will give a fight and we won’t go down without a fight,” said Liebenberg.
But it was that character that was found wanting when the Bulls were firmly in control of the game against the Lions, as they not only conceded several penalties, but they also failed to make crucial tackles that led to their demise.
“The biggest thing was the discipline.
“I really thought we did well in the first two games with discipline, but in this game suddenly there were high tackles, neck rolls and offsides. That is not us and we have to work on that ahead of next week,” said Bulls coach Pote Human.
“The structure was there but when you miss one-on-one tackles it is just attitude. If you don’t want to tackle then you don’t want to tackle.
“I really thought at times we did well to keep them out, but then one slip tackle which is something you don’t do against that (Lions) backline.”
Madosh Tambwe of the Lions is tackled by Duncan Matthews of the Bulls on Saturday. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Even though the Bulls are still in contention with their fourth-place on the log and being just three points behind the top three teams in Western Province, the Lions and Sharks, Human’s men will have to draw on all of their strength to get maximum points at a hostile Kimberley against Griquas this Saturday.
Human admits that his side are under severe pressure to rectify their mistakes and return to winning ways, and make sure that they will be there when it matters the most.
“The pressure is firmly on us. We are going to Kimberley and we know what is waiting for us there.
“They (Griquas) are not an easy side to play against and it is going to be tough out there,” Human said.