Siya Kolisi stated South African groups “need to be criticised” in the event that they underperform within the Investec Champions Cup, however the Sharks skipper is satisfied they will do higher.
The Springbok talisman was talking post-match on Sunday after the Sharks exited the celebrated European competitors with a crushing 66-12 defeat by Bordeaux Begles at Stade Chaban-Delmas of their closing pool match.
France winger Damian Penaud scored six tries as Bordeaux stormed into the spherical of 16 as the highest seeds in Pool 1, whereas the Sharks will now contest the EPCR Problem Cup playoffs as defending champions.
The Sharks’ loss within the southwest of France relegated them to the Problem Cup final 16 and concluded SA’s participation within the Champions Cup this season, the Vodacom Bulls and Stormers bowing out of the event on Saturday.
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The Bulls certified for the second-tier Problem Cup playoffs too, however the Stormers missed out on a spot within the EPCR knockout phases altogether after ending sixth in Pool 4 of the Champions Cup.
Kolisi was quizzed by the French media on Sunday as to how SA groups can turn out to be extra aggressive in Europe whereas addressing criticism of their inclusion within the Champions Cup.
“We have to play nicely, we have to play higher. There’s no excuses, we’re not going to make excuses about it,” he stated. “It’s a terrific competitors and we simply began taking part in in it a few years in the past. We’ll undoubtedly get higher.
“What I love in regards to the French groups is that they’ve acquired a large amount of squad depth. Toulouse performed an enormous sport within the Prime 14 in opposition to La Rochelle and so they backed a younger staff to play in opposition to them and so they misplaced by two factors, and so they introduced [their strongest] staff to South Africa [to face the Sharks] in a distinct competitors.
“So we will’t make excuses and say, ‘it’s chilly right here’ or that is occurring. You discover methods to adapt and the extra we play, the extra we’ll perceive how we will slot in each competitions [the Champions Cup and Vodacom URC].
“The largest factor is ensuring you create sufficient squad depth, and that’s one of many issues we will study from the French groups.”
PLUS: Plum glum after Bordeaux battering
A powerful Hakeem Kunene try to seven factors from Siya Masuku powered the Sharks into an early benefit, however a first-half hat-trick from Penaud and the boot of Matthieu Jalibert gave the house aspect a 19-12 half-time lead earlier than the floodgates opened after the restart.
“If we don’t play nicely like this, in fact we’re going to be criticised, we’re going to be criticised by our personal folks and we need to be criticised,” Kolisi added.
“Should you play nicely you get the credit score , for those who play badly you’re taking the criticism as nicely. You’ll be able to’t make excuses, it’s life, it’s what it’s. Sadly our job is predicated on outcomes, and if we don’t get the outcomes we get criticised.
“We all know we’re not pleased with that efficiency; Bordeaux performed very well however we might’ve executed higher as a staff as nicely.
“If the criticism comes it’s what it’s, and we’re going to must guarantee that if we get one other alternative to play we’ll be higher.”
Photograph: Romain Perrocheau/AFP
