Stormers in 'a good space' says Dobson
REACTION: Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted the famous Champions Cup win over Stade Rochelais is a step in the right direction.
The Round Two clash was a physical battle with both teams scoring two tries apiece.
It took a late Manie Libbok conversion from the touchline to hand the Stormers the narrow 21-20 win over defending champions La Rochelle at the Cape Town Stadium.
The home side had not led at any point in the Pool four contest until the clock was in the red, with Libbok adding the extras to a late try from replacement Andre-Hugo Venter.
La Rochelle dominated the opening 40, putting in big hits and forcing Stormers’ errors.
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Speaking after the match, Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted his team failed to execute their plan which left him frustrated.
“The feeling up and until the last moments was a little bit disappointed,” Dobson told reporters in Cape Town.
“But from a big picture view, we played against an international class team. They were extremely tough, especially at the breakdown.
“We got sucked into the arm-wrestle and didn’t implement our game plan, which was to open the field up, using our steppers and X-factor. So, I was frustrated with that.
“[However] I’m still very proud of the fight.
“There is a feeling that we could’ve done better, but we have beaten one of the best teams. They came fully loaded and desperate to win. So, it’s a very special win.”
Breakdown worry
Dobson admitted the scrummaging on the new ‘hybrid’ turf was incredible, but his team needs to work on other areas of their game.
“The scrums were incredible. We won the scrum penalty battle,” Dobson said.
“The areas of concern would firstly be our inability to execute our plan and credit to La Rochelle for that.
“Secondly, our breakdown, which is what I coach, is a concern. The official said [La Rochelle flank Levani] Botia is one of the hardest flanks to referee because it looks like he is off his feet but he is not.
“They slowed our ball down; they got a couple of steals and penalties, which made it difficult for us to implement our plan because we didn’t get the fast-breakdown ball. Also, the turnovers, that’s how they scored the two tries.”
Despite the concerns, the coach said the one-point win over La Rochelle, who aside from Leinster is the leading club in Europe, is a significant moment for the team.
“As much as we left it the last second, I do believe that we deserve to win,” Dobson said.
“We made it hard for ourselves. We had five entries in the 22 while they only had two in the first half.
“[Nonetheless it shows] we heading in the right direction. We have depth, Dan Du Plessis and Salmaan Moerat are on their way back so we are in a good space.”
The Stormers will face the Bulls this Saturday in the United Rugby Championship Round Eight at Cape Town Stadium, followed by a home URC match against the Sharks.
The team will enjoy a break before returning for the Champions Cup fixture against Sale Sharks on January 13.
