Bulls dismiss TMO howler
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said they have already moved on from yet another howler by match officials, which cost his team victory against the Rebels.
The Rebels ended the Bulls' Super Rugby play-off hopes with a gritty 21-20 win in Melbourne at the weekend.
The three-time winners led the Rebels until the 59th minute, but could not score in the final 20 minutes – bowing out of play-off contention with one regular round left.
There was major controversy with the Bulls denied a try – when centre Burger Odendaal went over the in the 61st minute.
Referee Nick Briant sent the decision up to television match official Ian Smith, who ruled out the try – despite video replays confirming what most right-minded pundits suggested, that it was a legitimate five-pointer.
It is not the first time South African teams have been on the receiving end of such howlers, although SANZAR recently demoted Australian referee Rohan Hoffmann to touchline duty after his disgraceful conduct in a game against the Sharks.
The mistake meant an early exit from the play-off race for the Bulls and will increase pressure on the coach, Ludeke, after a second straight season where the Pretoria-based Bulls have missed out on the knock-out stages of the competition.
The Bulls are still without a win in Australasia for over three years.
"It is never an enjoyable feeling when you don't get the result, especially if it as close as that," was Ludeke's diplomatic answer to questions at a post-match media briefing.
"If you get outplayed it is a different story," he said, adding: "We put in a huge effort to get a result on tour, especially this last match – it was millimetres from a win."
He was in no mood to get into a debate about the controversy that has raged in the media over the TMO call.
"The call was made and it doesn't matter what you say now – it's not a try," Ludeke said.
"So we will go with that.
"To argue it now is not going to change the result.
"It's a pity we couldn't finish that one off, because it would have helped a lot.
"It definitely would have swung the momentum in the game."
Ludeke described the game as an even contest
"The Rebels created opportunities and used their opportunities. Some facets in the game I felt we had good control.
"That was the story of our tour – we got into good field position, with attacking opportunities and we came close – without scoring."
The Bulls coach, who has a date with the Bulls' board of directors this coming Friday, said they will take a lot from this your.
"We have a great group of players and we gained a lot of experience.
"You don't just snap your fingers and have a winning combination – you need to be patient.
"I thought we made a huge step up as a team. At home we showed what we can do with ball in hand. We changed our approach there on tour and the gainline was a different battle – we did not always get the momentum we wanted.
"While we obviously did not get the desired results, I feel we are moving in the right direction."
It is likely that veteran lock Victor Matfield will be "rested" when the Bulls host the Cheetahs in the last match of the season in Pretoria this week, as he is due another break in accordance with the agreement between the franchises and the South African Rugby Union.
"I'll make that call later in the week," Ludeke said.
