VIDEO: Jake White on that 'wake-up call' in Dublin
The Bulls are looking to bounce back emphatically when they face French outfit Lyon Olympique Universitaire in a Champions Cup knock-out match at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
However, they must first overcome the emotional scars of last week’s mauling at the hands of Irish giants Leinster.
The Irish province, Leinster, made a serious statement of intent with a comprehensive 47-14 United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls at the RDS Arena in Dublin last Friday.
The game was billed as the tournament’s No.1 (Leinster) against No.2 (Bulls).
However, after a competitive first half – with the visitors leading 14-12 at the break – the hosts turned the second half into a one-horse race.
Five unanswered tries saw the Irish province race clear and put daylight between them and their nearest rivals on the board.
Leinster (54 points) are five points ahead of second-placed Glasgow Warriors, with the Bulls dropping down to third (on 45 points).
Bulls Director of Rugby pointed out that Leinster brought on the likes of Tadhg Furlong, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park and Dan Sheehan in the second half.
“The list goes on and on,” the Bulls boss said about Leinster’s rush of second-half replacements in Dublin.
“It was a good measurement for us as a group.”
The Bulls boss said he did not enjoy the loss because he thought there was hope at half-time.
“It is a reality check,” he told a media briefing in the build-up to Saturday’s European Cup Round of 16 face-off with French outfit Lyon Olympique Universitaire.
“You are not comparing apples with apples here.
“Their bench just came off winning back-to-back Six Nations tournaments.
“There is a hell of a difference in personnel.
“For me, it is just a reality check of where we are and coding for myself what we need to do.
(WATCH as Bulls Director of Rugby tries to ‘put into perspective’ the current status of his team, after a heavy loss and ahead of a crucial European Cup outing….)
He felt the Bulls have “grown a lot” since their URC debut in 2021.
They added some international experience – recruiting players like Akker van der Merwe and Wilco Louw.
“The reality is, that group of [Leinster] players, the bulk of them, have played in three Six Nations tournaments and won two, and also a World Cup.
“They [Ireland] beat the Springboks twice, beat the All Blacks twice, while [Leinster] played in two European Cup finals against Stade Rochelais.
“Without being emotional about it, the development of a squad like that is unheard of.”
He said he would not throw the baby out with the bath water.
“We have learnt that we still have a long way to go.
“I need time and I need these players to grow.
“We’ll be better for that [loss].”
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