A frustrated Jake White says the Vodacom Bulls were “never going to win” after Leinster raced into a 19-0 half-time lead that set the Irish giants up for URC title glory in Dublin, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
The Bulls director of rugby watched his troops lose 32-7 at Croke Park on Saturday, marking their third URC final defeat in four years as Leinster claimed their maiden crown.
“They started well, and everyone talks about don’t let them get a runaway start. After I think 17 minutes, they’re 19-0 up. And that’s after you say don’t let them start,” White said post-match in the Irish capital.
“They’re well coached, and they’re fantastic guys as well. I mean, world class. So, yeah, it’s all credit to them. I can’t praise them enough. Since I started here at this level with URC, Leinster are the benchmark and tonight they showed it again.
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“We were never going to win that game when they got that start,” he added. “I can’t remember any team that’s come back from 19-0 down and beaten them. So, it isn’t ideal.
“I’ve now got three silver medals; got to try and find out how to turn silver into gold.”
The Bulls chief reinforced his long-standing argument about squad composition, pointing to two-time Springbok world champion RG Snyman’s influence for Leinster as evidence.
“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,” White said. “I need what Leinster have. I need to be able to fight fire with fire.
“Leinster, Toulouse, La Rochelle… What do you think you need to win those games? Academy players or seasoned internationals? I think the biggest cheer tonight was for Jordie Barrett – he’s not Irish.
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“I’d love to be able to sit in a coaches box and 19-nil up say, ‘RG, warm up’, and then put him on and let him menace the defence like he did tonight. That has been from the day I took over this job. I keep banging the same drum, guys.”
Despite another final disappointment, White maintained perspective about the Bulls’ progress since their first clash with Leinster four years ago: “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 [in 2021] and we lost 31-3 at Aviva Stadium.
“So we’ve got four years older, and believe it or not, they’ve got four years older. I’m not less gutted… 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. I’ve coached the Brumbies to beat the British & Irish Lions. The way you do that is you actually need the big sides to play badly.
“Dreamers are guys that think that you take youngsters and you just wave a wand and you beat international players.”
Photo: Seb Daly/Gallo Images
