Try-hungry Lions lacked composure
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann says his charges should have beaten the Blue Bulls by a far greater margin at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The hosts came away with a 35-26 bonus-point win in the trans-Jukskei derby.
But Ackermann said he was disappointed his team did not manage to capitalise more – not being able to score a point – while the Bulls were down to 14 men.
"If you can keep the ball for a few phases then the Bulls are vulnerable, but we should've scored more tries, especially with two yellow cards against them," Ackermann said.
"But after that quick try at the start of the game, we became a bit too individual and didn't stick to the structure, so the space wasn't there.
"It's another lesson to learn, to wait until you get over the 22 and keep your composure."
While the Bulls only scored two of their four tries in the last seven minutes when the Lions were already assured of victory, Ackermann said his team's defence was a concern, as well as their scrummaging.
Ackermann praised tighthead prop Ruan Dreyer, his loose trio of Jaco Kriel, Derick Minnie and Warwick Tecklenburg, and fullback Marnitz Boshoff for being the architects of the Lions' victory.
Minnie felt their good start, which saw them shoot into a 13-0 lead, and quick recycling at the tackle was key and said they’d need to replicate it against the table-topping Sharks next Friday.
“We came out in the first half and played from the first minute so I’m proud of the boys. We try to get it [the ball] as fast as we can and it worked for us,” he said.
“The Sharks are going to be a tough game. We’ll need to start playing again from the first minute again,” he added.
Man of the match Boshoff had an excellent game, making a wonderful break from his own 22 to the Bulls' 22 in the first half, scoring a try and kicking a long-range penalty.
“The guys make it easy on the field. We throw the ball around and I ran some good lines, so I thank the Lord for giving me the talent,” he said.
Boshoff admitted he prefers to play at pivot but his stellar form at fullback and left-right kicking option it provides the team with Elton Jantjies at flyhalf will likely see him stay in the No.15 jersey.
“I prefer 10 but I’m comfortable in both positions; just being on the park is great,” he said.
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