Lions’ error count costs them in defeat to Benetton

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen admitted that the high error count had been crippling in his team’s 42-31 United Rugby Championship defeat against Benetton at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Italian side feasted off Lions errors as they strengthened their hold on a URC play-off spot with the bonus-point win. The Lions’ slim hopes were dashed in the process, as they bagged one point.

Van Rooyen was brutally honest about his team’s shortcomings in his post-match media conference.

“Too many errors early on. They’ve got 15-plus internationals. You make that much errors in your half they’re going to put you under pressure,” he said.

“Their attack is really good. And then penalties … something like eight times we gave them a penalty within three phases when we’re defending.

“Then they get territory plus possession, advancing up the field then they can dictate the tempo of the game.

“Too many errors from our side.

“Again, (we put up a) good fight, but if you’re that far behind, time catches up with you.”

The error-strewn display is not new for the Lions, who extended their losing streak to five matches. They are fresh off a taxing European tour that saw them ejected from Challenge Cup.

A return to the highveld was supposed to offer them the chance to reboot and launch a late assault on the URC top eight and a place in the play-offs.

However, their shoddy play seemed to follow the Lions home.

Asked if Saturday’s display mirrored their season, the coach said: “We get off to a decent start and then, I don’t want to call it a lull, but (there’s) definitely an increase in errors.

“One or two soft moments they score 14 easy points. We try overplay before ha

lf-time, make another error they get another try. Then a good fightback, and good intensity, good intent, a dynamic attack …”

Even the usually steady Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg struggled with his handling in the second half. The frustration was written all over his face after knocking on for the third time in quick succession. He was hooked not long after that, compounding his misery.

In fact, the frustration was shared by a number of Lions players, who were bickering on the field.

Benetton managed to control the game, and punish those lapses.

Van Rooyen wasn’t surprised by their ability, especially their quick reaction at ruck time, even when down to 13 men in the second half.

“They’re the team in the competition that concedes less penalties, we knew that before the game. Their defensive breakdown is really good. And the feeling was sometimes where it’s quick ball and we’ve got the numbers, they either slow it down or they get the ball,” he said.

Next up for the Lions are URC matches against Connacht, Scarlets and Ospreys. If they are to regain any semblance of respectability in those matches, they will have to cut out the error count.