Bulls failed to show up after their bye
SUPER RUGBY REACTION: Bulls head coach Pote Human described his team’s 20-56 defeat by the Chiefs as a “humiliation”.
The Pretoria side headed into their Super Rugby Round Six game against the Chiefs full of confidence after three wins from four matches. The Chiefs, on the other hand, were searching for their first win of the season and their first win against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld since 2001.
However, the Bulls conceded seven tries to two and looked lethargic throughout the game on Saturday as they slipped tackles and were dominated in all facets of play.
Speaking to reporters after the game on Saturday, Human said that his team were unable to continue with the intensity which they showed on the field prior to their bye.
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“We didn’t pitch up at all. I think we were still on a bye.
“I gave the guys last week off and they looked as if they were still off,” commented Human.
“It is a humiliation for us, so we have to dig deep and come back next week a lot stronger.”
Despite his team’s poor performance, Human gave credit to the Chiefs for a well-deserved victory.
“From the kick-off, it looked as if they love to play at Loftus and we really struggled – [It was] like we were flat.
“They were good – give them credit, but we were very poor today [Saturday].
“We allowed them to look as if they are on the right track again,” said Human.
The Chiefs were the Bulls’ first New Zealand opponents in the 2019 Super Rugby season. Human explained that his team did not underestimate the visitors and the threat of All Black fullback Damian McKenzie, who caused havoc with his neat footwork and attacking play.
“I think we expected they would bring energy and bring another level of intensity, so we prepared for that.
“It will be a wakeup call. There’s still a lot of rugby to be played – eleven games before the play-offs and if we play like this, we will never get close to that [play-offs],” Human added.
Looking ahead to the Bulls Super Rugby Round Seven match against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, Human added that he expects his team to get back on track with a much-improved performance if they are to stay in the race for a play-off spot.
“I know we are much better than this.
“We showed it in three of the first four games, but this is a bad one to take and we have to take it on the chin and come back stronger next week.
“We played good rugby against South African sides and I expect much more from the guys,” said Human.
By Josh Isaacson
@isaacson_j
@rugby365com
