'I didn't expect that': Stormers pack shocks Dobson
REACTION: Stormers director of rugby John Dobson expected the scrum battle to set the tone during his side’s 39-22 win over the Sharks at DHL Stadium on Saturday.
However, what caught Dobson by surprise was how comprehensively his team dominated that facet of play, setting the perfect platform for their Round Three victory.
The Stormers outscored the Durban side six tries to three, securing a bonus-point win in the Round three clash.
The result also handed the Sharks their first defeat of the season and avenged the Stormers’ back-to-back defeats in last season’s coastal derby.
Speaking after the match, Dobson praised his forward pack, admitting that the extent of their scrum dominance was unexpected, particularly against a Sharks side featuring Springbok props Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit.
The pair came under pressure against Stormers props Wilco Louw and Ntuthuko Mchunu, with the Sharks penalised at scrum time on several occasions.
The Stormers maintained that pressure in the second half, with Springbok Neethling Fouché and youngster Vernon Matongo helping to keep their opponents on the back foot.
“I didn’t think we’d get it so easily, so quickly, is the truth,” Dobson told reporters after the match in Cape Town.
“I know we gave penalties away where they got dominance on us in the first half, but the one in the second half was a tight one.
“But I didn’t expect it, especially if you look at the [Sharks’] personnel. But that’s a nice reminder of the beauty of rugby. It’s a collective effort, and it’s a team thing the way our back-five brought it. And then, one time we didn’t, the Sharks got us.
“But I didn’t expect that we would get like five or six scrum penalties.
“Well done to [scrum coach] Brok Harris and the forwards.”
Stormers address line-out concerns
The scrum was not the only area in which the Stormers showed improvement.
After struggling at the line-outs during last week’s defeat to Edinburgh, the Cape side produced a more assured performance in that department, addressing one of the key issues that had undermined them in Round Two in the defeat to Edinburgh.
Dobson credited assistant coach Rito Hlungwani, lock JD Schickerling and the forwards for their response, highlighting the team’s physicality and defensive resolve.
“It was a pretty compelling performance by us. I never thought we were in trouble.
“Credit to [assistant coach] Rito Hlungwani, [lock] JD Schickerling and the forwards.
“[There was] the obvious fault correction from last week, but I thought physically and defensively we stood up.”
The Stormers also found a rhythm that had eluded them during their opening tour against Connacht and Edinburgh.
“We sort of had a bit of a flow, which we hadn’t had on the tour [against Connacht and Edinburgh].”
He added: “To me, without being arrogant, the process justified the outcome.”
The Cape side will now turn their attention to the Investec Champions Cup, where they will face Bristol Bears in Cape Town on Saturday.
