Josh Turnbull has called on Cardiff Blues to learn the lessons of another last gasp defeat and bounce back against Zebre next Saturday.
Following a one-point loss to Leinster in round one of the Guinness PRO14, an injury-time Monty Ioane try, converted from the touchline by Tommasso Allen condemned the Blues to a second defeat.
Turnbull was bitterly disappointed to the Benetton loss but knows the Blues must quickly refocus on Saturday’s clash with Zebre in Parma.
He said: “Zebre is massive for us because if we don’t turn up they can capitalise on that and do exactly the same as Leinster and Treviso have done to us.
“We were disappointed after the Benetton result. We need to get over this quickly, right the wrongs and get on the training paddock to sort things out. We are out here to do a job and we will do that this week.
“Against Benetton we made too many crucial errors in the last 20 minutes that gifted them possession
“We could have been smarter in the last 20, lineout wise, maybe not forcing too many throws to the back and just keeping the ball.
“Our kick chase wasn’t good enough, we gave them too many free runs through the middle of the park and we just coughed up too much possession.
“It is frustrating because we left a few points out there. We were strong up front in scrums and lineout drives during the first half but towards the end of the game the ref has decided to change his mind, which is frustrating and we will need to look at that.
“But it really was a game of two halves and we have to look at it in readiness for next week. It’s disappointing to lose two on the bounce and we need to get our campaign underway now.”
Cardiff Blues will remain in Treviso this week before travelling to Parma on Friday. Following Saturday’s PRO14 encounter, they return to Cardiff Arms Park where they take on Munster on Friday, September 21.
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