Warrick Gelant could spark the Stormers attack against Zebre on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix
The Stormers won’t have too long to lick their wounds as another tough United Rugby Championship match in Italy awaits them this weekend.
The tournament started on a false note – just like last season – for the Cape side after going down 37-24 to the Ospreys in their season opener in Bridgend, Wales on Saturday night.
Zebre claimed a 42-33 win over former champions Munster at the weekend, which doesn’t bode well for the inaugural URC champions’ hopes of getting a victory in Parma on Saturday (8.35pm kick-off).
Although they didn’t get the reward in the scrums they should have at times, coach John Dobson will be happy with that facet of the game.
The front row of Sti Sithole, tighthead Neethling Fouché and hooker Joseph Dweba had the upper hand at times and looked solid.
Then there was the return of lock JD Schickerling, and the abrasive runner added that physicality, but also did well in the line-outs.
Being rewarded with a try on his return to the Stormers jersey was the cherry on the cake.
Defensively, though, the Cape side must sharpen up, especially away from home.
They are known for their solid defence, and at times it was there, but they won’t be happy with the four tries conceded.
A lack of discipline also hampered the side, and a penalty late in the game after being offside from an attacking kick cost them the game and a losing bonus point.
“This (game) felt similar to last year’s tour, but I felt a bit better about certain things,” Dobson said after the Ospreys match.
“Some things we worked on were there, and there were nice performances, but one or two less so.
“(Hooker) André-Hugo Venter was short (of the line) at the death, and we didn’t get a chance to win the game in the 78th minute.
“The Ospreys in the second half were very good. They had a great strike move off the line-out that will hurt Normie (Norman Laker, the Stormers defence coach).
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“We really wanted to win this game and that was disappointing, but there were some good signs out there.”
The Stormers are considering some changes for the next clash, like bringing in the mercurial Warrick Gelant at fullback and shifting Damian Willemse to flyhalf, or at least having Gelant on the bench to provide another playmaker among the replacements.
Tighthead prop Sazi Sandi will also come back into contention.
“One of the challenging areas in the north is the contestable kicks, and we got absolutely hammered in that area and it cost us the game,” Dobson said.
“I think Jurie (Matthee, flyhalf) was solid, but maybe we could’ve looked at some options.
“We didn’t exit as well as we could. It was a tough afternoon for him, but I don’t want to criticise a player. He has a good temperament, but things didn’t flow his way.”
Points-scorers
Stormers 24 – Tries: Leolin Zas, JD Schickerling. Conversion: Jurie Matthee (1). Penalties: Matthee (3). Drop goal: Damian Willemse (1).
Ospreys 37 – Tries: Jac Morgan, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Dan Edwards, penalty try. Conversions: Edwards (3). Penalties: Edwards (2). Drop goal: Edwards (1).