Naive Lions 'tactically outsmarted'

The Lions were naive in their approach and did not adjust adequately to the conditions.

This, according to Lions captain Warren Whiteley is the reason they suffered their first loss of the season – going down 17-25 in wet weather in Pretoria at the weekend.

Whiteley admitted his side was tactically outsmarted by the Bulls, while they did not react to the wet weather as well as the Pretoria franchise.

"The rain will have an impact on any game," the Lions captain said, adding: "Tactically they were just superior to us.

"They put us under pressure and we didn't have answers to good kicking.

"They played out of their half, putting us under pressure and we made mistakes at crucial times.

"It was difficult for us but we showed heart with a lot of character on defence."

The Lions nevertheless scored two tries from charge downs to the Bulls' try in the first half of the match.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann said while the weather had an influence on his side's game plan, it would hold them in good stead going forward in the competition.

"We were taught a lesson on how to play in wet weather, and we will have to take those lessons to heart if we encounter another game in wet weather," he said.

"It is still an away game, so we will not put added pressure on ourselves, it is still early in the competition to worry about the log."

The Lions will travel to Durban on Saturday, where they take on the Sharks.

SAPA