Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson rues lacklustre performance

Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson (Getty file)
Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson (Getty file)

Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson described the atmosphere in the changing room as "a morgue" after the Lions savaged his side's Super Rugby semi-final hopes with a 42-25 victory at Ellis Park.

"It's just gutting and heart-breaking to have finished the season like that playing so poorly. It's a pretty gutted changing room," said Matson.

South Africa's best team was simply ruthless, scoring two tries in the opening seven minutes, while the Crusaders also lost All Blacks lock Luke Romano to the sin bin during that time for an offside offence at the maul.

"When you lose a quality player for 10 minutes it's always going to cost - yeah just disappointing."

The visitors had the Lions share of possession and territory in the first half, but had little to show for it, as missed tackles and turnovers saw them trail 22-10 at the break, a lead the home team never relinquished.

"The scoreline is embarrassing, but it kind of reflects the quality of our performance,' said Matson.

"The players are pretty aware of performance and when you don't fire shots in a quarterfinal it's pretty disappointing.

"We prepared well, we just gave them too much. If you miss 20 tackles in a quarterfinal then you're going to have a tough day."

For a side featuring 10 current or former All Blacks, a side that only two weeks ago blew the Rebels off the park 85-26 in Christchurch, the Crusaders machine ran out of steam on the Highveld, with the bench failing to make enough of an impact.

"Across the board we conceded 14 turnovers, missed tackles, the penalty count was poor and our discipline.

"It's going to be tough for anybody to come on the field and make a shift when the whole group is battling."

Matson also refused to blame the team's less than ideal travel itinerary, which saw them depart for the Republic on Tuesday due to a shortage of flights to South Africa.

"You can't make excuses. We had a bloody good training on Thursday ... we had a pretty clear plan. Travel is travel, we've got guys who are on their 20th trip to Africa.

"We do the travel part pretty well now, we expected to deliver a better performance in a quarterfinal so no excuses."

Matson will have plenty of time to ponder what might have been on his final flight home with the team, along with departing head coach Todd Blackadder and a number of players.

"That's what's so heart-breaking. Guys leave on such a sour note. That's why they're so gutted. Losing is part of sport, but to be beaten by yourselves is always gutting."

"Andy Ellis, Johnny McNicholl, Kieron Fonotia and Toddy - he's been coach for so long, it's just a hollow feeling."

Matson and Blackadder aren't expected to be apart for too long, with English club Bath understood to be interested in pair's services.

"All that stuff will happen in the next couple of weeks, I'll get on a plane and make decisions when I get home."

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