Coach John Dobson says the Stormers will have to up their game to tame the Lions in Saturday’s Vodacom URC match at Cape Town Stadium.
While the Stormers defeated an understrength La Rochelle 42-21 in the Investec Champions Cup over the weekend, Dobson admitted the performance was far from perfect.
He also made it clear that the Lions’ recent results in the EPCR Challenge Cup – defeats to Benetton and Newcastle – would count for little.
“We had a good look at the Lions as coaches already,” he said. “We know what to expect. [Centre] Henco van Wyk gets huge contact metres, [fullback] Quan Horn makes linebreaks, and they’re very effective at the breakdown. We’ve played them a few times and know how dangerous they can be.
“They’ve made their intentions clear by resting big players to prepare for this game. We’ve done the same in the past. They’re coming, and suddenly the intensity goes up.
“This [La Rochelle] performance won’t beat a fired-up Lions team in Cape Town. In terms of learning and outcome, this was a perfect game. Now we have to back it up. Home wins are non-negotiable, and we know Saturday won’t be easy.”
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Stormers captain Salmaan Moerat stressed that South African clashes demand a step up regardless of form or opposition.
“It’s always a different challenge in the derbies,” Moerat said. “We know we’ll have to be much better as a pack. Against La Rochelle, there were moments where we weren’t accurate enough, and the Lions will punish that.”
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Moerat added that playing at Cape Town Stadium for the first time since October would add extra edge.
“Our people will bring the energy. It’s up to us to match that intensity from the first minute.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Stormers turn attention to ‘dangerous’ Lions appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach John Dobson says the Stormers will have to up their game to tame the Lions in Saturday’s Vodacom URC match at Cape Town Stadium.
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