Johan Ackermann: ‘Sometimes you go through struggles for a reason’ after Bulls suffer fifth successive loss
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann (inset) and the Pretoria-based outfit's players form a huddle during a URC match.
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has urged the Pretoria-based outfit’s supporters to stick with the team after their recent defeat against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
Ackermann’s troops are in the midst of a slump in form as they have now lost three successive United Rugby Championship (URC) games – after previous defeats to Glasgow Warriors and the Lions – and are currently on a five-match losing streak in all competitions after losing to Bordeaux-Begles and Northampton Saints in their opening fixtures in the Investec Champions Cup.
After losing to Leinster in last season’s URC final, the Bulls parted ways with their former boss Jake White, and there was plenty of positivity when Ackermann took over the coaching reins.
Against the Sharks, they had the upper hand for long periods and were close to ending their losing streak as they were leading 12-7 with 10 minutes left to play in the match.
However, the home side finished stronger and clinched a 21-12 victory after Siya Kolisi and Edwill van der Merwe crossed for converted tries in the South African derby’s dying moments.
Identifies with Bulls supporters’ frustration
Despite his side’s implosion, Ackermann would not blame his players but identifies with the frustration experienced by the Bulls faithful.
“We understand that our supporters will feel let down, but sometimes you go through struggles for a reason,” he said.
“People who are struggling because they do not have work, and do not have food. They keep on going, so how can we give up? We won’t, and I felt our players fought to the end.
“I can’t fault the effort. The players kept fighting right to the end. But when you lose, there are things you have to fix. People want results, and that’s what we need to deliver.
“We have to learn quickly. The effort is there – now we need to turn pressure into points.”
The Bulls had the better of the forward exchanges with their formidable pack dominating the scrums, and they were awarded several penalties at the set-piece.
Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard was accurate off the kicking tee as he succeeded with four penalties, but the Bulls’ attacking play was a major disappointment and the Sharks eventually outscored them by three tries to none.
Failed to capitalise on scrum dominance
“We got penalties from the scrum, kicked to the line-out, and then we’d lose the lineout or lose the breakdown a phase or two later,” added Ackermann.
“We didn’t use our opportunities. That’s the reality. In the second half, we got turnovers and some reward, but we didn’t capitalise. Two or three phases later, we’d give the ball away again.
“Then there were crucial moments – a penalty on halfway, a breakdown, an aerial contest – and suddenly we were pushed back and they scored.
“It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain. The harder you try, it feels like nothing wants to come your way. Every little bounce, every 50-50 decision, it just didn’t go for us.”
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