Jake: Bulls down but 'not dead'

12/08/2024 07:59 AM

While rueful of missed opportunities in Saturday's loss to Saracens, Jake White believes it's not 'all doom and gloom' for the Vodacom Bulls in the 2024-25 Investec Champions Cup.

The Bulls started strongly, with Sebastian de Klerk scoring early in the round 1 clash in London. But Saracens adapted to blustery conditions to claim a 27-5 victory.

Rhys Carre's try and Fergus Burke's boot gave the hosts an 8-5 half-time lead before scores from Jamie George, Tom Willis, and Ben Earl sealed the win for Sarries, who thrived in the tight contest at StoneX Stadium.

Speaking in a teleconference post-match, White acknowledged where things went wrong for his troops while crediting Saracens' execution on the night.

"It was about taking chances when we were down there [in Saracens' half]," he told reporters. "What they did well in the beginning is they kept us out for long periods of time and we didn't finish as many opportunities as they got in the second half.

"Like I told the team, Saracens are a good team and know this ground like the back of their hands… I just think we weren’t clever enough in the first half to put points on the board and build pressure.

"Once it was 8-5 it was going to be an uphill battle from there and the summary was very simple: they got into our half many more times [than us].

RECAP: Saracens overpower Bulls in stormy London

"In fact, many more times into our 22 than we got into their 22, and that's exactly the difference – you can't allow a team like Saracens to have so much time in your 22 and expect to win."

The Bulls return home to face the Northampton Saints at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday, and White is positive that the Herd can build on last season's quarter-final appearance in Europe's elite club competition.

"Everyone plays in a competition to be there in the backend and we've got three games left; we've got Northampton, Castre and Stade Francais," he said. "We win those three games the chances are very likely we'll be in the playoffs, or the top 16 at least.

"Then you've got a Lotto ticket and a chance to take the next step. Everyone wants to take the high road and get home games and make sure they're unbeaten, but that's not really the norm in this competition.

"There's a lot still to play for; we're third on the Vodacom URC table and not dead in the Champions Cup, and there’s a lot of rugby between now and the end of the season.

"So it's not the case of all doom and gloom, it's about taking these learnings and making sure we get better."

Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

The post Jake: Bulls down but ‘not dead’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.