More astute decision-making, securing better field position – and most importantly, finishing what they’ve created – will be among the Stormers most important priorities this week.
The Stormers play against the Highlanders at Newlands on Saturday and have their minds set on regaining the momentum lost against the Brumbies last weekend.
Speaking at the Western Province High Performance Centre in Bellville after training on Wednesday, head coach Allister Coetzee said that the Stormers were still on track with where they wanted to go in the Super 14, but wanted to take a step up this weekend. The players were very keen to get their decision-making right on Saturday.
The team were determined to finish promising attacking movements and to score more tries. “I’m pretty pleased with the six tries for us and [only] two against us but we know we have to finish better. We’re creating opportunites; we just need to finish them off now,” Coetzee said.
Securing more advantageous field position was crucial too. “We must box clever enough to play the game in the right areas of the field. That’s non-negotiable. You can’t play too much rugby in your half.” Coetzee said the Highlanders had a big pack who formed a good set piece unit. “They will probably come at us at scrum-time but we’re well prepared for that,” he said.
He expected the Highlanders to adapt their game to suit what they thought would be the best way to play against the Stormers but he said that the defence system was geared to adapting to any form of attack. “Our defence is such that we can expect anything from any team and we will be alert to anything coming our way.”
The Stormers appreciated what scrumhalf and captain Jimmy Cowan and other stand-out players like Isreal Dagg or Adam Thomson brought to the Highlanders team but they would not be focusing specifically on any one player. “We look at the whole picture,” he said.
Asked to comment on emerging star Michael Hobbs, the 22-year-old Highlanders flyhalf who has made a big impact in the first three weeks of the competition, Coetzee said: “He’s a very physical player and he backs himself. He’s just stepped up to Super Rugby but he backs himself – a hell of a lot of confidence!” He respected the Highlanders as a team: “One shouldn’t read anything into where the Highlanders are on the log; they’re quite a capable side. They’ve got good set piece and great open field runners. Their wings thrive on turnover ball so they counter-attack well.”
On the mood in the Stormers camp, Coetzee said: “We’ve moved on since last week. We know what our ability is and we’re still on track with where we want to go in this competition. We know we’ve got to step up this week, to pitch up with our complete A-game.
” Skipper Schalk Burger, returning after a hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines last weekend, is champing at the bit in his eagerness to get back onto the field. Each week provided a different challenge and he was looking forward to this week’s game. “The Highlanders chance their arm. They throw the ball around when they get the opportunity. They have exciting outside backs so they’ll definitely try and use those players,” he said.
From iafrica.com
They must score tries , yes. But is the game plan understood by everyone,do they believe in it, are they confident enough or what?
I get the impression that the individual stars dont believe in each other or the game plan. But this was now their 6th game of the year, maybe the individual brilliance available there will start to function as a brilliant TEAM.
They must sort out there scrumhalf-flyhalf issues first. I mean, how is it possible that a backline which includes Habana, Fourie and Aplon not score tries?
I think the game plan is simple. Or it should be. Kick into the opposition half and put pressure on them from there. Don’t run out of your own 22 like the Lions.
Jimmy Cowen, Isreal Dagg and Micheal Hobbs are really good and can create opportunities from anywhere on the field. Their forwards are good, but for all their potency in the set piece they make a lot of mistakes in general play. Much like the teams did in the Stormer’s last game. Hobbs is also a potent striker of the ball. Penalties in the Stormers half could/should result in 3 pointers.
Stormers should look at driving, mauling and building phases anywhere in the Highlanders half. The Highlanders loosies doesn’t match that of the home side, and in open play the home side tight five has the upper hand. Both on and of the ball, I believe.
How the Stormers will win:
HUGE pressure on defense. The opposition has some good backs, but not enough speed and creativity to break down the Navy Blue wall. Penalties will follow.
Kick and chase. Habana over.. ummm… Ben Smith. Just hope Habs doesn’t get killed by the ref again.
Get the ball to Juan and Mossie. The Highlanders center pair is not that tough that they will be able to withstand an onslaught from these two. And not with the wings and Joe lurking around. Stormers should just keep their cool when they do break the line. Because they will, but who knows what will happen then. The players… maybe?
All in all, direct, in your face rugby for 80 minutes. In fact, is there any other way to win.
Users Online
Total 116 users including 0 member, 116 guests, 0 bot online
Most users ever online were 3735, on 31 August 2022 @ 6:23 pm