Captain Gregory Alldritt says La Rochelle will leave nothing on the field as they look to topple the high-flying Stormers in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash.
While European sides often highlight the physical and logistical strain of a trip to SA, Alldritt has taken the opposite line. The French star says the two-time champions are determined to “live the trip, not suffer it”.
For La Rochelle, this match in Gqeberha is equal parts adventure and opportunity. Several teenagers in their squad are on South African soil for the first time, and the captain believes that sense of novelty could unlock something dangerous.
“There are players who are 18, 19 years old who are going to spend a week in South Africa to play a Champions Cup match against the Stormers. If we didn’t play rugby, we’d never get to do this,” Alldritt said.
“It’s going to be a great week in the sun, we have nothing to lose. The Stormers have shown a very high level. We must go there with freedom, put huge intensity into everything, and then see what happens.”
MORE: La Rochelle brace for red-hot Stormers in PE
Intensity will be non-negotiable, with the Stormers being unbeaten across all competitions so far this season and when playing in familiar conditions in front of their faithful supporters – whether in Cape Town or Gqeberha.
“A match in South Africa is a crazy energy drain,” he said. “You play against athletes, in 30-degree heat … We need to recover from the trip and build up as much energy as we can. Our rugby is already in place. We’ve been training since 14 July.”
The Stormers are set to welcome back several Springboks for Saturday’s clash, with Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Ben-Jason Dixon and Zachary Porthen are all expected to play a part.
ALSO: Boks to make seamless Stormers return
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Alldritt promises all-out assault on Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Captain Gregory Alldritt says La Rochelle will leave nothing on the field as they look to topple the high-flying Stormers in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash.
The post Alldritt promises all-out assault on Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
