'No positives' for Bulls after loss

Mitchell is still holding out hope of a late-season rally that could see his team reach the play-offs – with the help of other results, of course.

However, he was less positive about the team's performance in Buenos Aires.

The New Zealander, who gave some very forthright answers about his own team, refused to blame the referee.

"Clearly there was some decision making that was average," Mitchell said about the bumbling performance, adding that the standard of their defence was "not acceptable".

Asked if there were any positives to take from the game, his response was to the point: "No, none."

The coach made it clear he was unhappy with both the attitude and aggression shown by the Bulls.

Asked whether the speed and accuracy of the Jaguares' linespeed was the difference between the two teams, he again was very frank.

"No, it was attitude," Mitchell snapped, adding that the many handling errors were also the result of poor attitude.

"I'm disappointed in the performance, in the fact that it is the first time that we have shown softness," Mitchell said.

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He remained adamant that they could still reach the play-offs.

"We're still within a fight.

"We will obviously have to fight for two [second place in the South African conference] now and at the end of the day, we need to control our own destiny.

"The one thing about a loss is you have to get over it quickly but no, this conference is not over yet."

And he also refused to blame the Argentinean referee Federico Anselmi for his team's demise.

"It was always going to be difficult with an Argentine ref, but you have to get over those type of things.

"As it turned out it didn't have any bearing. But as for the side's ability to adapt, mate no we were just poor."

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