Bulls pay dear price in defeat

The Bulls suffered two potentially crippling blows in their demoralising 20-34 loss to the Chiefs in Rotorua on Friday.

Following last week's 18-23 defeat to the Blues in their Australasian tour opener, the loss to the Chiefs put a massive dent in the men from Pretoria's play-off prospects.

However, of even bigger concern will be the injuries suffered to fullback Jesse Kriel (knee) and prop Trevor Nyakane (flexor muscle).

Coach Frans Ludeke said he will have a better idea of the injuries on Monday.

With matches against the Brumbies and Rebels in Australia to come, the injuries could not have come at a worse time for the Bulls – who suffered their ninth consecutive defeat on tour.

They last won in Australasia in March 2013, while it is also the first time in two years that they did not get at least a losing bonus point on the road.

Captain Pierre Spies cut a frustrated figure after the encounter with the Chiefs.

"We had a good start, but lost a bit of momentum and made too many mistakes," he said.

Coach Frans Ludeke also spoke of the "lost opportunities".

"We have crucial games left on the tour and we've taken a lot from this game," Ludeke said, adding: "It is obviously not the result that we wanted but we need to stay positive and need to bounce back next week.

"It is still our goal to get two wins on tour, the New Zealand leg in terms of that wasn't successful, so it makes it so much more crucial against the Brumbies next weekend."

The coach said it was "one or two" wasted opportunities that cost his team.

"The one example was a line-out throw that was too long, the other was when the referee blew us up for obstruction – which I thought he got wrong."