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'We're all in shock' - Colin Cooper reacts to Brumbies drubbing
By Online Editors
Chiefs coach Colin Cooper has expressed an overall feeling of disbelief after his side were punished 54-17 by the Brumbies in Canberra last night.
"We're all in shock, really, and surprised with that result," Cooper told Stuff after the match.
"They just played better than us everywhere, and I guess it's one of those games you just want to forget.
"I'm a bit speechless."
In his 122 previous Super Rugby games as head coach, Cooper's sides had never conceded 50 points. The eight tries the Brumbies ran in is a non-South African first against the side, and the loss is the first time in eight years that the Chiefs have opened the season with back to back losses.
"I think they were just more accurate, their collision area was more accurate, they got better ball, when we made mistakes they capitalised," Cooper said.
"I think they put great pressure on, they did really well in slowing our ball down, and we didn't react very well. When we carried we weren't direct enough."
One look at the full-time statistics paints a picture of the match. The Chiefs conceded 463 metres with ball in hand, missed 23 tackles and had their line broken 15 times. They managed just 165 metres and two line breaks themselves.
"We've got to fix it quickly," Cooper said. "So we'll be doing everything we can to be prepared and ready for the Sunwolves. We're very disappointed."
The Chiefs will be hoping to bounce back against the Sunwolves in Hamilton next weekend, though it will be far from a walkover after the Japanese side pushed the Waratahs to the edge in a narrow 31-30 loss over the weekend.
The Brumbies will be looking to continue their winning ways when they meet the Hurricanes in Palmerston North next weekend, a New Zealand side that looked vulnerable in a crushing 38-22 defeat at the hands of the Crusaders on Saturday night.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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