Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann bemoaned “missed opportunities” after his side’s 34-31 win against Munster at Loftus.
Despite claiming a valuable five-point haul that briefly moved them up to seventh on the Vodacom URC log, Ackermann felt the Bulls weren’t clinical enough.
“We could have put them away, purely because of execution and errors – knock-ons and those things,” he said.
“As a team, we create opportunities and then we just don’t finish them. That’s the part we keep reviewing and working on.
“We left a lot of points left out there. There were two or three big moments where we could have scored, and we didn’t.”
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While individual brilliance from scrumhalf Embrose Papier and replacement wing Cheswill Jooste helped get the Bulls over the line, Ackermann stressed the need for greater cohesion.
“Every team has special players who can do something out of nothing. Embrose showed it today – when he gets space, he’s dangerous – and the same with Cheswill.
“But as a team, we create opportunities and then we don’t finish them.”
Munster threatened repeatedly through their kicking game, including a 50:22 from Ireland flyhalf Jack Crowley that led to a try.
“Where we didn’t do well was when they kicked behind us,” Ackerman admitted. “There was a bit of miscommunication and there were times we lost the aerial contest – easy balls to catch and we lose it, and we put pressure on ourselves.
“But for me, it’s more the fact that we give soft penalties away. Then they kick it down and you have to defend it, and then you knock it on when you do get the turnover.
“It’s those missed opportunities. We had a lot of turnovers that we could have turned into really good tries or at least good field position, and we don’t utilise that.”
Handré Pollard’s goal-kicking proved decisive, with the Springbok flyhalf slotting four conversions and two penalties.
“It was the players’ decision,” Ackermann said of opting for posts. “If it didn’t work, people would say we should have gone to the corner.
“But if you look at the result, it was crucial – it built up a 12-point lead. And with a kicker like Handré, he’s probably going to kick more over than miss.”
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While acknowledging areas for improvement, Ackermann was satisfied with the outcome.
“To get five points against a quality Munster team – they’ve often been in the URC playoffs – that’s the most important thing,” he said.
“Five points keeps us in the race. That’s the biggest box we can tick.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann bemoaned “missed opportunities” after his side’s 34-31 win against Munster at Loftus.
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