Hanro Liebenberg said he was proud of the showing from his side despite defeat in Glasgow but admitted a lack of accuracy at key moments hurt any chances of victory.
Speaking after the game, Liebenberg said: “They put us under pressure in the first half and we were up against it from there.”
“A penalty count like tonight doesn’t help you and, on the flip side, when you have the ball, we lost it or gave it away aimlessly and you can’t be doing that.
“Despite the result, that effort in the first half to hold on the way we did in defence and weather the storm on so many occasions was something to be proud of.”
Glasgow had more than 70% of possession in the first half and similar territory numbers but were only able to get over for two tries. But, despite the bravery from a side missing key individuals - including Julián Montoya and Tommy Reffell, who were rubbed out with injury midweek - Liebenberg said there were no excuses.
“We backed ourselves in the second half and unfortunately their three tries so quickly had us on the back foot and then, when we had some opportunities, we just didn’t capitalise,” he said.
“I was really proud of the effort out there, really proud of how the group kept turning up but ultimately we didn’t help ourselves when we got those chances with the ball to convert them into points.”
The stand-in skipper was also high in praise for the youngsters called in for the likes of Montoya, Reffell and fellow Test stars unavailable in George Martin, Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes.
Quizzed on the missing stars, Liebenberg wasn’t buying into any narratives about being unable to compete.
“Those guys are all key to what we do, they are all a huge part of our side and big losses but we aren’t going to be making excuses, we aren’t going to find reasons for this loss,” he said.
“That’s rugby, it happens, and I was proud of the young guys tonight, including Tom Manz and Archie van der Flier who were making their first Champions Cup appearances. It’s a big test for your first game. I was proud of them.”
Asked about the remaining fixtures in the 24/25 season, Liebenberg said the players know what will help to secure a playoffs place.
“It’s knockout rugby again from now, every one of our games left this Premiership season is important and will decide where we end up,” he said.
“We just spoke about it as a group, that’s the challenge in front of us and it’s a challenge we are going to go after, and go after together as a group, every single week.”
The Run In for Liebenberg and his team mates gets going in two weeks, away to Bristol Bears, before taking on Harlequins a week later at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on April 26.
Almost 95% of tickets have been sold for the clash with ‘Quins, with more than 22,000 already snapped up for what is shaping up to be a massive matchday on and off the pitch.
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