VIDEO: 'We've let Loftus down, we need to bring extra at home'
VIDEO: The Bulls have let their supporters down in the last few weeks and need to step up, especially when playing at home.
Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese may have been a tad harsh with a comment like that, seeing as his team is still the best South African side in the United Rugby Championship.
They are third on the log and coming off a good win over the Lions last weekend, is still in prime shape to challenge for the title.
Wiese is most likely referring to their shock loss against the Sharks, which was a hard pill to swallow for the team and their coach, Director of Rugby, Jake White.
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This season the Bulls have lost only two games at Loftus – vs Northampton (21-30) and the Sharks (19-29).
But Wiese still believes the team needs to do better, especially for their passionate supporters.
“I expect a lot of people … I hope to see Loftus jam-packed,” Wiese said.
“For us as a team, it’s important to rebuild Loftus’ reputation. I think we may have let Loftus down a bit in the last few weeks,” Wiese told reporters on Tuesday.
“It was a good win last weekend, but I feel that teams must feel intimidated when they come to Loftus.
“It’s our duty not only to play well but to bring that extra little bit at home. It’s not that we’re not giving our best, but for home games, teams must really know that we are up for it.
“It’s not about the personal competition. It’s not Wilco [Louw] against Frans [Malherbe]; it’s us against the Stormers. We will focus on going into the match as a team and working hard for each other.”
Wiese believes the Bulls lacked intensity when they created opportunities while they offered the Sharks too many opportunities.
“In previous games, we gave ourselves enough opportunities, but I don’t think we used them adequately,” Wiese believes.
“And especially the Sharks, home and away, used every chance they got when they entered our 22.
“So I think it is about accuracy and patience when we get to teams’ 22, especially when playing local teams.
“It can go either way and you have to take the points when you can.
“Last weekend [against the Lions] we had more freedom and played better but we used the opportunities that we worked hard for.”
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