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Head coach Jonathan Thomas: 'Worcester need to be more clinical'
By PA
Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas bemoaned his side’s failure to take their chances as they fell to a 27-5 defeat against Bristol at Ashton Gate.
It was another loss on the road for Warriors, who have not been successful away from Sixways in any competition since September 2020.
Despite having the lion’s share of possession and territory, Warriors blew a host of opportunities and could record only a single try from Noah Heward, while potent Bristol scored four.
Sam Jeffries and Tom Whiteley added to a double from Toby Fricker, with Callum Sheedy kicking a penalty and two conversions.
Thomas said: “The final scoreline wasn’t the correct margin between the sides as the only difference was that they took their opportunities and we didn’t as we needed to be more clinical.
“In the first 20 minutes we left 13 points out there by not kicking a couple of penalties with a forward pass ruining a simple run-in and it’s vital you take your chances in the Premiership, especially away from home.
“Last week in our win over Sale we took them, and that gave us the platform to go on and win the match.
“Three of their four tries were soft ones as they were opportunist scores with us coughing up possession to give them those chances.
“We have played eight games so far and have only won two of them but that doesn’t reflect the quality of our side.
“We knew there would be challenges with new coaches coming in and then being hit with injuries, so it’s been a curve ball in terms of adversity.
“However, we are not offering that as an excuse as we know we have to improve.”
Despite picking up a bonus-point victory, Bristol’s director of rugby Pat Lam accepted it was not a vintage performance from the Bears.
He said: “I’m happy to take the five points and move on but it was a scrappy game.
“We went 3-0 up and then didn’t see the ball for 25 minutes, but we defended very well with our backs holding them up in the tackle and winning turnovers.
“We are seeing bits and pieces and good moments in the game but we are not perfect right now but don’t need to be, although we will need to be better in the future.
“It’s good that because of injuries, different players are coming in and getting opportunities which will only benefit us in the long run.”
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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