'A bit frantic at home' : Lions' unwanted record at Ellis Park
REACTION: Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has shed light on the unwanted United Rugby Championship home record his side is building.
The Lions opened their URC season with a defeat to the Bulls at Ellis Park.
However, the Gauteng side bounced back in incredible fashion recording three wins in a row in the Northern Hemisphere.
The South African team was hoping to build on their winning streak, but they fell short 37-39 to Ulster at Ellis Park.
The Lions have yet to record a win at home this season, an issue that needs to be addressed admits Van Rooyen.
“We are a little bit frantic at home,” Van Rooyen told reporters when asked about the unwanted record.
“Overseas we are a bit calmer, we built an innings, unlike [on Saturday] and against the Bulls where we want to overpower and over squeeze from the kick-off.
“I think that is part of the review process from our side, we have to look at how to apply pressure [throughout the game].”
He added: “Everyone was so helter-skelter instead of just sticking to the plan and calming down.
“Overseas we were a bit calm which made us control the game more.
“Think it was just the pressure to perform well at home.”
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‘Too easy’ for Ulster
The Lions came very close to recording a historic win over Ulster.
Both sides scored five tries each and while it looked like the visitors were running away with things midway through the second half, the hosts never gave up.
Unfortunately for them, a number of unforced errors throughout the match proved to be costly.
“We worked hard and showed great character to come back every time, but made it too easy,” Van Rooyen said.
“We were far from clinical. One or two crucial errors made it really easy for them.
“Even at the last line-out we felt like we had an opportunity and to miss it is obviously frustrating,”
Not all was doom and gloom for the Lions coach in his assessment
“There were glimpses of what we can do against a very good Ulster team
“However, it’s just all about putting everything together.”
The Lions secured two bonus-points and are currently fifth on the log with 15 points from five games.
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