The Vodacom Bulls have had a frank, honest review of their horror show against Lyon in the Heineken Champions’ Cup last week and are confident they can bounce back and get a win at Scarlets this weekend in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
Bulls utility back David Kriel believes that his side were caught “asleep” at the wheel in the first half at Lyon and need to start better, but that it served as a wake-up call for the team as they resume their URC campaign.
Given their last game in Wales was one of the Bulls’ better performances of the season - in beating the Dragons with a bonus point - there is a lot of confidence the Bulls can well repeat that performance and pick up some valuable away points for the log.
But the Lyon game is something they needed to put behind them and according to Kriel they have.
“We started badly. Lyon started like a house on fire. It caught us a bit offside, we were a bit asleep in the first part of the first half. I don’t think the pitch was to blame, but we need to start better. We can’t start as badly against a team like Lyon in Lyon and then expect to come back. We need to take that one on the chin,” Kriel said.
“We need to show a bit more patience when we get into those pressure situations. When you get there there is an emotional rollercoaster, there is excitement and you want to score. We need some patience and take the conditions into account and not try to be fancy and do something that would come easy in dry conditions.
“It is a patience thing that we can use our time on the field well when we are in the position.”
Kriel believes the team still have the confidence to bounce back in style in Llanelli.
“We have that confidence to win and we need to win this for our season. We can’t afford any slip-ups. We are over the Lyon loss and the preparation has looked good this week as well. I’m very confident we can get through this and get a win.”
Many of the Bulls team have spoken about the snow and cold they encountered on the 4G pitch in Lyon and how that affected him. Kriel agrees that the conditions did have an effect but that it wasn’t an excuse for the players.
“The conditions do have an effect on us. Against Lyon it was the first time I’ve experienced playing rugby in the snow. It has quite an impact on how we approach the game and how to exploit our game plan. The conditions do definitely have an effect.
“A 4G pitch has a lot more grip. If it is wet it is wet and it doesn’t deteriorate like normal pitches with mud. Us outside backs take it more as an advantage to use our speed a bit more.”
Losing Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse to the enforced Springbok resting protocols this week was a blow, and Kriel has enjoyed being in a back three with the two Boks. But he believes the replacements will uphold the same standard when they get onto the field.
“Canan is three or four years younger than me but with his speed I’m learning things from him every day. With Kurt-Lee we’ve seen how well he plays. To analyse how he plays and to play alongside them gives me new lessons every day. They both have bundles of magic in them and a confidence factor and it gives me confidence to play alongside them,” he smiles.
“There are enough senior players around me and leaders in the team that can help direct me when it is needed. It is a bit of a blow for us that the two of them are out but I’m sure the guys who are selected are hungry for the opportunity. I have confidence in the guys who will step up.”
Kriel has become a bit of the Bulls’ talisman this season, playing across the park at inside centre, outside centre, wing and fullback where he is needed. But while others may bemoan the moves around the backline Kriel is seeing it as an opportunity to get better.
“I’m very confident in my form at the moment. I’m enjoying my game and I don’t make things bigger than they need to be. I’m just thankful for every opportunity that I get at this level. With every opportunity, I get the chance to improve as a rugby player.
“I’ve been asked a lot about what my favourite position is as a rugby player. I enjoy every opportunity but I like playing in the midfield or at fullback. I’ll play wherever I’m needed though.”
That confidence will be key against a team like the Scarlets and if the Bulls can bounce back, a win will be an important step for them to take towards a home playoff spot.