Jake White bizarrely criticises referee Brace without criticising: 'We were probably never in it'

In a vintage display of innuendo, a visibly emotional Bulls mentor Jake White intimated his displeasure at the performance of Andrew Brace without actually criticising the United Rugby Championship (URC) final's referee.

In fact, the franchise's director of rugby believes his charges stood no chance of reversing their 18-13 defeat at the Cape Town Stadium no matter what they threw at the Stormers.

"It is what it is. I don't think we were ever going to win that game," said White.

"I thought the referee was outstanding, he saw what he saw and we couldn't control the other things."

Pressed on how crucial the yellow card of outside centre Cornal Hendricks for a shoulder-high hit on counterpart Ruhan Nel in the 56th minute was, White dismissed its significance, ostensibly because that decision proved the least of the Bulls' problems in hindsight.

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"I don't want to get into the whole thing. I'm just telling you, there are things tonight that we couldn't control and we're never going to control them.

"I told the players to keep their heads up and when those things change, we'll be okay. The referee was outstanding, you mustn't misquote me.

"What he saw, he blew. I'm happy. I can never argue with that. If you see it, blow it. No problem."

To be fair, White and his coaching staff had reason to feel miffed, especially at the breakdowns, where the influential Deon Fourie was - at times - questionably allowed free reign.

There's an argument to be made that the Bulls probably could've got stuck in more to paint the type of picture they clearly felt Brace was seeing though the rugby ethics of that would've been questionable.

"Right before half-time they got into