Toulon centre Juan Ignacio Brex admits he was baffled by the Stormers’ attacking approach at the end of their last-16 Investec Champions Cup clash.
Toulon edged the contest 28-27 at the Stade Mayol, surviving a late Stormers onslaught despite being reduced to 13 men in the dying stages.
Yet Brex revealed that, from a defensive perspective, he had expected a very different approach from the visitors.
The Italian international and Toulon vice-captain said the obvious tactic was to stretch Toulon’s depleted defensive line.
“I was waiting for them to play wide in the last five to 10 minutes when we were down to 13,” Brex told Planet Rugby. “I was absolutely stunned they didn’t try to go around us as it was the obvious thing to do.”
Instead, the Stormers repeatedly attacked close to the breakdown, playing into the hands of a Toulon pack that prides itself on physicality and defensive organisation.
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Brex acknowledged that his side were under immense pressure, but felt their ability to control the close contact area ultimately proved decisive.
“We were down to one centre and it was obviously more dangerous because we only had one guy in defence behind us, so four on two all the time, if you like. So I was waiting for them to play wide, but they didn’t do it.”
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Brex said the Stormers’ attacking approach made things simple for Toulon.
“It was to try to get numbers down on the ruck, defend where the ball is.”
The victory set up a quarter-final showdown against the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium – a challenge Brex expects to be far more tactically demanding.
Under the guidance of Franco Smith, Glasgow have developed into one of the most balanced teams in Europe, combining attacking ambition with sharp decision-making.
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Brex believes the Scottish side will not repeat the Stormers’ errors, particularly in high-pressure moments.
“Glasgow are first in the URC and they were one of the best teams in the pool stage of the Champions Cup,” he said.
“We need to be aware everywhere. We cannot stop thinking for even one second, because if you stop, they will score, they are really that good.”
Photo: Federico Pestellini/INPHO
The post Toulon’s Brex ‘stunned’ by Stormers’ approach appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Toulon centre Juan Ignacio Brex admits he was baffled by the Stormers’ attacking approach at the end of their last-16 Investec Champions Cup clash.
The post Toulon’s Brex ‘stunned’ by Stormers’ approach appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
