Regardless, Shepparton Bulls coach Sonny Tahuriorangi cited his side simply didn’t bring enough of it to Saturday’s contest, which left the rugby union outfit in despair after blowing a prime opportunity for its first four points of the season.
Hosting Southern Districts in Victorian Rugby Premiership's fifth round, Tahuriorangi lamented a slow start which cost his Bulls at the death, with scores reading 30-24 in the visitors’ favour.
“The loss hurt us as a whole group,” he said.
“I think the boys were overconfident heading into the game and turned up with the mindset that we’d already won.
“There was not enough mongrel — there were glimpses at times, but then we went flat again.”
Labelling it a game the Bulls should win “nine out of 10 times”, Tahuriorangi said his side was forced to fight its way back into the contest time and time again.
Veaneiafu Veamatahau, John O’Brien, Tui Tunumafono and Riley McNair registered tries at Vibert Reserve, but it wouldn’t prove enough to propel the hosts past the Pirates.
“Coming off Tuesday’s training session, the boys know it was one we shouldn’t have let slip,” Tahuriorangi said.
“Southern Districts are a good team, but we should have never lost to them on our home ground.”
Fuelled by the desire to shed all previous complacency, the Bulls will have another bite of the cherry at home on Saturday.
Victorian Rugby Premiership juggernaut Eltham rolls into town — and Tahuriorangi knows his Bulls will have to expend their full impetus to leave the park triumphant.
“This weekend will be a huge challenge as Eltham are one of the competition favourites,” he said.
“They are a top side and always have been, so Saturday will be a very hard task.
“I’m looking forward to how the boys will bounce back this weekend; if we can get the same crowd behind us again I think we will go all right.”
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