VIDEO: Lions' tough month just got harder
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VIDEO: The Lions' opportunity to challenge for the United Rugby Championship play-offs has hit the pause button after their disappointing 19-31 loss to the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
The Bulls' power proved too much for the Lions who showed admirable fighting spirit in the second half, but it was too little too late.
And when they lost their star back Henco van Wyk at half-time, their firing power in mid-field took a huge hit.
The Lions have two more derbies coming up, both against the Sharks and if they can't win at least one of those, their hope of reaching the Top Eight will be gone for good.
After their loss on Saturday, the Lions remain 12th in the standings despite a fifth defeat in six matches.
The Bulls allowed the Lions back into the game after leading by just three points at halftime and managed to hold off a spirited comeback by the visitors in the final quarter to claim a bonus-point win.
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So what is next for the Lions?
Last week assistant coach Barend Pieterse was quite outspoken about the fact that they feel they can still reach the Top Eight, and in fact, he claimed a Top Four was not out of the question.
Clearly, that scenario has changed dramatically. Coach Ivan van Rooyen put things into perspective during the post-match press conference.
"We were two games behind, now we are one behind.
"We've got some catch-up to do and the next two weeks are important for us to get points," Van Rooyen stated.
"I always want to talk about the momentum.
"Some of the things we did against the Stormers last week we [managed to] improve now.
"Some of it is still somewhat of a work-on for us.
"After halftime, our concentration can get a little better," he continued.
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The coach said the mood in the changeroom after the game was one of disappointment.
"Hugely disappointed.
"To start the way we did and then come back halftime to allow yourself to get a result and put in all the hard work and not get it - it is frustrating," Van Rooyen said.
He referred to the victory over the Stormers last week quite a bit, and it was evident that the Lions crossed the Jukskei for this clash with a lot of confidence in their back pocket.
"We wanted to keep the momentum from last weekend, it's logical.
"Beating the Stormers last weekend, come to Loftus, two games in a row against the Sharks.
"It's also four derbies [for us]," he exclaimed, referring to the Bulls' Director of Rugby, Jake White, who spoke about the Bulls being the only side in the entire competition that had four derbies in a row.
"We know it's a tough month.
"Their scrum has had dominance the last month. We know they've got a good maul so if we could neutralise that with some fresh bodies, we feel we had the opportunity to expose one or two other things.
"We felt we played to their strengths.
"Their wingers and back three defend in a certain way so if you get momentum, we felt we can expose that and we showed that a couple of times.
"Maybe [we were] unlucky with one or two final passes or one or two breakdown decisions."
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