Vodacom Bulls XV coach Phiwe Nomlomo was disappointed with his side’s 62-52 defeat to the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday despite a courageous comeback.
The Bulls trailed 47-17 at half-time before producing a vastly improved second-half performance to get back to within seven points, but ultimately suffered a fifth consecutive Currie Cup defeat.
“Disappointing once again,” Nomlomo said. “The game was nearly done in the first half. We did well to claw back as well as we did, but it remains disappointing.
“The shining light is how we expressed ourselves during the second half. We had a lot more intent; we were direct, moved the ball well and looked after our breakdown.
“All of a sudden, we handled everything we wanted to in the game, but 40 minutes later.”
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Nomlomo was particularly concerned by the Bulls’ sluggish first-half display.
“We weren’t as accurate as we wanted to be during the first half. It looked like we lacked energy, which is unlike us, so those things were quite concerning.
“In the second half we changed it all together; that’s the part; it’s a mental game.”
The Bulls now face a short turnaround before hosting the Stormers XXIII in a north-south derby on Friday. The Cape side is also desperate for log points after losing 29-7 to the Pumas in Nelspruit on Saturday, a result that dealt another blow to their playoff hopes.
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“Again, it’s a quick turnaround from Sunday to Friday. We must get bodies as fresh as possible,” Nomlomo said.
“It’s going to be brutal. It’s a north-south derby, so it goes without saying that it will be another match full of intensity.
“It’s going to be fire. They’ll want to win here, and we’re desperate for our first win.
“They will want to keep their playoff chances alive, and we’ll be fighting to get a win, so it will be another humdinger for sure.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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Vodacom Bulls XV coach Phiwe Nomlomo was disappointed with his side’s 62-52 defeat to the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday despite a courageous comeback.
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