Marcell Coetzee said at a Benetton postmatch interview that the Vodacom Bulls cannot afford any soft moments against Leinster when the teams clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday at 16:00 (SA Time) in a URC semi-final.
“The biggest thing for us is to capitalise on the big moments, especially with playoffs. You can’t afford soft moments and teams to get in because that will punish you."
“Three restarts against Benetton put us under heaps of pressure, letting them into our 22, that’s what I’m trying to say by keeping them out.”
“If you talk about Leinster, all those internationals, that’s a team that’s been growing and has been consistent over the past few seasons and they know each other well,” Coetzee said.
“And they haven’t just been doing it in the URC, they’ve been doing in it in the Champions Cup and for the Irish national side.
“I think their flow and the way they can build phases in a game puts the opposition under pressure; that’s where the spaces come from. And when they’re into your 22 they leave there with points."
“It’s going to be a work-on for us, especially when defending in our own 22, getting off the line. But those are fixables and we’re looking forward to whatever is coming our way.”
“It’s play-offs. The best thing for us is a year ago we were out in the quarterfinals, and now we managed to take that next hurdle."
“That comes with the pressure, that comes with the privilege to be under that pressure. Everyone in the squad, player, and management, is going to have to take that one step for whatever is coming next week.”