VIDEO: How Jake plans to 'tackle' Bulls' shortcomings
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White continues to carry a heavy load during his team’s campaigns in Europe – United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup.
That includes the defensive responsibilities he took on board when Joey Mongalo departed the Bulls for the Sharks in June of this year.
While White is actively looking for a new defence expert, he is not going to rush into a decision or make a short-term appointment.
“I am in the process of looking for a defence coach for next year,” White said in the wake of his team’s 27-37 Round 10 loss to the Stormers.
Despite dominating possession (64 percent) and territory (66 percent) in Cape Town, the Bulls were outscored by four tries to three.
Their 78 tackles made and 19 missed tackles left them with a tackle success rate of just 80 percent – compared to a Stormers team’s 147 tackles made and 16 missed for a 90 percent success rate.
The Bulls, having scored 41 tries in 10 outings and collected six try-scoring bonus points, have also conceded 30 tries.
(Article continues below Jake White interview …)
Their record for the season looks equally bleak – having made 1215 tackles and 159 missed (a tackle success rate of 87 percent) that places them 13th in the URC stats).
“Some guys have contracts that they can’t get out of,” White said about his search for a fulltime defence coach.
“I am going to find a defence coach that will complement us.
“I thought it would be easier for the transition,” he said about taking the defensive responsibilities upon himself.
“Instead of just ‘making do’ with someone else, I have put the feelers out to get the right guy for the job.”
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