After the Lions' tough 14-10 EPCR Challenge Cup loss to the Newcastle Red Bulls on Saturday, coach Ivan van Rooyen lamented a handful of missed opportunities and a crucial "five-minute lapse" before halftime.
Van Rooyen pointed to a key five-minute spell at the end of the first half where the Lions had all the possession deep in Newcastle territory but failed to score a try. He felt that one score would have made the game “totally different.”
“If we finish the opportunities at the end of the first half, and that linebreak from Richard in the second half, it’s a very different game.”
“In the first half, we managed to get five or 10 metres out regularly; however, in the second half, we barely got there. If you make an error, the other team just kicks downfield with the wind. It forces that kind of game.”
Despite dominating territory, possession, and the set piece for long periods, the team's inability to be clinical in scoring chances ultimately cost them the game.
“I think we dominated pretty much all the stats. Our tight five were exceptional in the set-piece and in the loose. Siba was outstanding. Both centres played really well, Gianni played well, and Nico played well. There were a lot of positives.”
Van Rooyen acknowledged that the strong wind in the second half played a significant role, making it harder for the team to impose themselves and allowing Newcastle to easily clear the ball downfield.
“Obviously, it was tough conditions, really, really windy, something we’re not used to. But even with that, I felt we created more than enough opportunities to get the result.”
“In the last five or six minutes of the first half, we didn’t capitalise when we had all the possession in their 22. Against the wind, you know you’re going to spend a lot of time on the back foot in the second half. One score there, and I think the game would have been totally different.”
With back-to-back defeats in the pool stage, the Lions' path to the playoffs is now much harder. Van Rooyen stated they likely need “nine points out of the last two games” to stay in the competition.