VIDEO: Coetzee apologises to Bulls fans
REACTION: Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee apologised to his team’s fans after their Rainbow Cup Final defeat to Benetton on Saturday.
The Bulls, who were favourites heading into the encounter, were outplayed throughout the 80 minutes with the Italian club beating them 35-8 in Treviso.
🐂 @BlueBullsRugby‘s Marcell Coetzee reacts to his team’s disappointing loss to Benetton
🗣️ “We’ll take it on the chin, we’ll take our learnings, and we’ll look to the future.”#GuinnessPRO14RainbowCupFinal pic.twitter.com/PwCJ28qJLC
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) June 19, 2021
“Fair play to Benetton. They came out and beat us in almost every area,” said Coetzee. “Whether it was the kicking game plan or the physicality, they played a tremendous game of rugby and they thoroughly deserved the win.
“I just want to say thank you to all the supporters. Sorry we couldn’t do it today [Saturday].
“The boys are hurting at the moment, but we will take it on the chin. We will take our learnings and we will look to the future.”
Coetzee said it was a “big statement” from Benetton ahead of the United Rugby Championship later this year.
“I thought they were brilliant in the kicking game and they put us under heaps of pressure there.
“They kicked into the right corners and they played off the right possession.
“In the first half we had so few possession, but that is doing your homework and that is smart coaching,” the captain added.
Coetzee was not surprised by the physicality shown by the Italian club.
“They are playing at their home field and they are playing in front of their fans. They showed passion and heart and they played above their skins today.
“They are deserved winners and champions of the Rainbow Cup. That is something they can build on going into the new championship,” said Coetzee.
@rugby365com
