Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, said during a post-match interview that he was just realistic when questioned why he did not look disappointed after the defeat against Leinster in the URC Final on Saturday.
I’m less gutted because I think people are so naïve. I don’t know what’s changed from the first year to now, guys. We played Leinster and we lost 31-3 at Aviva Stadium."
"I’m also just completely and utterly realistic. I’m more frustrated because I know it’s like watching a horror movie, and you think the ending is going to be different. The only way you can win is that you actually need the big sides to play badly."
"So we’ve got four years older, and believe it or not, they’ve got four years older. "
"Dreamers are guys that think that you take youngsters and you just wave a wand and you beat international players."
On the Bulls' comprehensive defeat, White said the Bulls got the first forty minutes the Leinster supporters have been waiting for the whole season.
"It’s just a different league altogether, and that’s why Leinster supporters are probably so disappointed. We got the 40 minutes that the Leinster supporters were waiting for the whole season. This was Test-level rugby. It was like everything was played in fast forward."
“You have to understand, this is not a normal rugby team. Make no bones about it, they’ve gone another level up."
"We couldn’t get our hands on the ball. They started well. After 17 minutes, they are 19-0 up, and that is after everyone says ‘Don’t let them start well’."
“I say again to all the Irish, I don’t think they give the credit to that Leinster team. They are well coached.”
"Credit to Jacques and the defence. We were a little bit one-off instead of running with numbers, and people around the ball, but that’s what happens when you’re under the pump against a good team. You have to give credit where credit’s due. Out of the three finals, this is by far the toughest final."
When asked about the future and what the Bulls need to do to beat Leinster, White once again said that more Springboks in Pretoria is what is needed.
"The lesson I’ve taken from that is we need more international players to play in our province. I need what Leinster has. I need to be able to fight fire with fire. Leinster, Toulouse, La Rochelle, what do you need to win those games? Academy players or seasoned internationals?"
"I keep banging the same drum. The lesson I’ve taken from that is the one I’ve been telling you. We need more international players to play in our province."
"That’s a phenomenal provincial team. That must be the best Leinster team, I know that’s going to be the headline, but that must be one of the best Leinster squads they’ve ever had."