DESPITE a “disappointing” display, Footscray recorded a hard-fought win against Melbourne University in Victorian Rugby Union Premier 1.
In wet conditions, the Bulldogs made a slow start, spending most of the first half in the University’s half before managing to win 15-5.
Bulldogs coach Junior Naufahu said conditions were tough.
“It was really hard due to the wet conditions.
“It definitely made it tough to move forward and there were a lot of mistakes made. It was pretty slow to start with and we couldn’t move the ball forward.
“Melbourne Uni had the ball in their half for the first 20 minutes, but we defended well and held then up.
“Once we scored a try we started to get our confidence.” Naufahu didn’t make any excuses for the team’s performance.
“We didn’t play how we had been training … there’s no excuses and we need to play well in any conditions as it’s a winter sport.
“We train a particular way and I want to play that way. It was a win, but I wasn’t happy and I told the team that after the game. We have to play with more urgency, aggression and defence.”
Naufahu was happy only with the last five minutes of the game.
“[The players] worked on their defence in the last five minutes and I told them that’s what I wanted throughout the game.”
He said Isaac Lilo playing at lock was their best player.
The win leaves the Bulldogs in fifth spot ahead of a clash with the sixth-placed Harlequin. “They haven’t been travelling that well,” Naufahu said, “but it doesn’t mean it’s an easy
game.
“We beat them in the last game last year, so they will want to get us back.
“We want to win so we don’t have to be chasing [ladder positions] later in the year.”
