The Stormers XXIII have honed in on the weak points in their game following a heartbreaking Currie Cup loss to the Cheetahs in Athlone.
The hosts conceded a try after the final hooter and were denied a third home win of the campaign when Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk snuck over in the corner. Captain Jean-Luc du Plessis says they’ll look to sharpen up for Saturday’s clash against the Pumas at the Mbombela Stadium. He adds that those soft moments have been placed under the microscope.
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“It’s definitely been a talking point – both after the game and in our team review this week,” said Du Plessis.
“There have definitely been patches in games where there have been soft moments, whether it’s decision-making, execution or discipline where we just allow the opposition to get back into the game. It’s an area we’ve been looking at and I’m sure we’ll sharpen up come this weekend.”
The Stormers XXIII have also been working on building cohesion in a squad that has been affected by the demands of the domestic schedule and player movements.
Du Plessis – who found himself in the wars against the Cheetahs – believes getting more minutes together is crucial as the team looks to build rhythm.
“At this point in time, I’m still a little bit sore to be honest but I’ll be good to go by Friday,” he said.
“For me personally, it’s good to spend time on the park, spend time with the team and just get minutes under the belt. But for the team, I think it’s also important for us to play as many minutes together as we can to stay sharp.”
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Coach Tom Dawson-Squibb acknowledged that building cohesion has been challenging given the circumstances surrounding the squad.
“The system makes it difficult. We started against Griquas and Boland who play together all the time – we didn’t have that,” he said.
“Then you have the Greatest Rivalry, you’ve got guys coming back from rest periods at different times and the Junior Boks. So the system makes it difficult and what we’re trying to do is create as much cohesion as possible that’s within our control.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
The post J-L: Stormers must cut out ‘soft moments’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Stormers XXIII have honed in on the weak points in their game following a heartbreaking Currie Cup loss to the Cheetahs in Athlone.
The post J-L: Stormers must cut out ‘soft moments’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
