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Tim Sampson not happy and quite rightly so
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Sat, 5 June 2021 1:36PM
Angry Western Force coach Tim Sampson said the disappointing 29-21 trans-Tasman Super Rugby loss to champion side Crusaders was a line in the sand moment.
“That was a huge missed opportunity. We lost a game that was there to be won,” Sampson said.
“It was a line in the sand moment for us to believe and understand where this club is at at the moment.”
The Force scored three tries to the Crusaders’ five but there were plenty of opportunities to have caused the upset of the tournament.
They dominated possession and territory after the break and forced the Crusaders into 158 tackles, 50 more than they made.
They performed better than the Reds and Waratahs who had 63 and 54 points scored against them by the Crusaders but Sampson said that was not good enough.
“We can’t be happy with coming close. We didn’t get the win. That’s the bottom line,” he said.
The Force defended well for extended periods and held the ball for multiple phases.
But they struggled to really punch through the defensive line and were let down by poor errors.
“In our attacking 22 metres we didn’t get the outcomes that we needed,” Sampson said.
“We had a lot of possession but just didn’t go to the line.
“We’re defending very well at the moment but we’ve got to be a good attacking team and score tries.
“At this level it’s fine margins, you give away penalties, you get punished.
“We were disappointed with the penalties that led to us defending out try-line.
“It’s what’s happening prior to us having to defend our try line that’s hurting us.”
The Force were in the game with half-time approaching, just 17-14 down, but the Crusaders stunned them, scoring either side of the break.
“If we go in at 17-14 that’s a reflection of how the first half was played out,” Sampson said.
Meanwhile back-rower Ollie Callan, who stepped out of club rugby with Wanneroo into Super Rugby with no National Rugby Championship experience had a dream starting debut with a first-half try.
“A great moment for Ollie. He didn’t look out of place whatsoever,” Sampson said.
Callan, 20, a junior Wallaby, said: “There was a bit of nerves but probably more excited.
“Tim told me to play like I play. There was no pressure. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time for the try.”
Winger Toni Pulu (foot) and flanker Tim Anstee (shoulder) are in doubt for next Saturday’s clash with the Blues in Auckland.