Areas that could cost Bulls the Currie Cup glory

REACTION: The Bulls were hit with a harsh reality check in their first Currie Cup defeat of the season on Friday.

The Bulls head into the Round Nine fixture with a flawless record and top of the Currie Cup standings.

However, a very determined Lions team made sure Phiwe Nomlomo's team winning streak came to an abrupt end with a resounding 57-33 win at Midstream College in Olifantsfontein.

It was a challenging outing for the Bulls team, who had to face a Lions side loads with United Rugby Championship stars.

The Bulls conceded eight tries and only managed to score five, including a penalty.

The result saw the Lions leapfrog the Bulls to the top of the Currie Cup log and are now favourites to finish top after the final weekend of pool action next weekend.

After the match, Bulls coach Phiwe Nomlomo was far from happy with his team's leaky defence and said that his team should get used to facing experienced teams like the Lions.

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"There are some of the tries that we conceded that I'm not happy about," said Nomlomo.

"We have been taught a couple of lessons. We have seen when you make a mistake in the opposition's 22 that is a 14-point turnaround.

"So it's good lessons that we are learning and we have to pay our school fees quickly."

He added: "The Lions controlled the temp incredibly well.

"They slowed the game down and we allowed them to, so that was the big difference. In previous games, we have been dictating the tempo but this time they did, so that was also a bit that was disappointing.

"In terms of the games ahead, this is what we are going to see, these are the people we are going to play so we better step up."

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The Bulls face another challenging task when they take on Sharks at Kings Park in Durban next weekend.

The Sharks have been in fine form and would want to make a big statement ahead of the play-offs zone.

"We need to work on our set piece - that is where everything starts and ends," the coach said when asked about the work ahead of the Sharks showdown.

"If we want to progress further in this competition we have to sort that [set-piece] out.

"The other stuff is a mindset thing."

Nomlomo debunked the notion that taking the derby to the neutral ground may have contributed to his team's defeat.

"The atmosphere was great. there was a lot of excitement," Nomlomo said when asked about the experience at Midstream College in Olifantsfontein, south of Pretoria.

The neutral ground is an initiative to take the game closer to their young fan base.

"For both teams, it was something new, something different and both appreciated it.

"We really thank the people that organize it, the Midstream College and thank you for all that came out and support."

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