Ackermann praises Bulls players for grit in snapping losing sequence in Champions Cup clash with Pau
CHAMPIONS CUP
Bulls' number eight Nizaam Carr (right) attempts to break away from Pau's Argentine flanker Facundo Isa during the European Champions Cup match at the stade du Hameau in Pau, southern France, on Friday.
Image: AFP
The Bulls snapped a seven-match losing streak when they beat Pau on Friday night, and coach Johan Ackermann has praised his team’s fortitude in taming the Frenchmen.
Ackermann has never doubted the fight in his team while they have navigated their unfortunate series of losses, and it was sheer grit that got them over the line in a 26-24 arm wrestle in the intimidating Stade de Hameau.
The Bulls forwards were exceptional, notably the loose trio of Nizaam Carr, Marcell Coetzee, and Mpilo Gumede.
Carr, in particular, was outstanding in facing up to the brutal Pau pack.
“The foundation for the result was the commitment of the players,” said a relieved Ackermann.
“From the first minute, the players really put their bodies on the line and stayed at it,” the coach said.
“It was hardly a perfect performance, and I’m just grateful for the victory. It has been a case of us keeping on working on the same things week after week, with the hope we could transfer it on to the field.”
“There’s a lot of character in the team, and I’ve never doubted that,” Ackermann added. “We sometimes put ourselves under pressure through errors or discipline. But without the character, we wouldn’t have been able to hang in there and give ourselves a chance at the end. That’s the part I am most proud of.”
Ackermann said that the win did not necessarily mean the tide has turned for the imperiled Bulls.
“The reality is that it is only one win,” he said. “We next face a tough Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship. Edinburgh are one of the best teams in the URC and full of internationals.
“We will enjoy the win as a group and then reset and start focusing on Edinburgh. It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s only one win. It is nothing to get overly excited about.”
Ackermann will be pleased that he got his selection right. He packed his bench with normally first-choice players in anticipation of a final quarter battle.
Marco van Staden, Cobus Wiese, and Ruan Nortje made match-winning contributions. Not far behind them were Jeandre Rudolph, Alulutho Tshakweni, and Francois Klopper.