Coetzee: Give Stormers some credit

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee felt it was time for his team's detractors to back off and give the Cape Town franchise some credit.

Despite playing to a 19-all draw against a fired-up Lions team at Newlands at the weekend, the Stormers won their third South African conference title since the expansion to a 15-team competition in 2011.

And having booked their place in the play-offs with a week of the regular season remaining, it affords Coetzee the opportunity to "rest" some players who are 'red-lining'.

The conference champions travel to Durban this week, where they will face an under-performing Sharks team on Saturday.

Coetzee has made peace with the fact that second place in the global standings – and a bye in the preliminary round of play-offs, or quarterfinals as he call it – is most likely beyond his team.

That is why he is already planning to host an international team at Newlands in a fortnight.

The Stormers wasted no time in rubbing his team's achievements in the faces of their detractors.

He said he was "very pleased and proud" of being South African conference champions.

"That was our first objective," he said, adding: "What I have maintained throughout the season is the way to get to the play-offs, you have to win your conference and I am very happy, because we did it with one week to spare."

He felt that what makes their achievement more remarkable is that they lost captain Duane Vermeulen in the 24 hours leading up the weekend's encounter with the Lions, then lost flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis to concussion early in the game and was also without injured hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni.

"It shows the character of the team," the coach said, adding: "It is a sign of a quality side, especially a side that wasn't given an opportunity.

"We ended third in the competition, after you all tipped the Bulls and the Sharks to win it."

He hit back at the suggestion that the weekend's draw was a "lost opportunity" to finish second.

"They [the players] have been outstanding, for a team that was never tipped, to get where they are.

"There have had challenges this year. This team came close against the Hurricanes away," he said of their 20-25 loss in Wellington where a few match official howlers played a major role in the final outcome.

"Every challenge we've had, the response was phenomenal.

"It's not a lost opportunity when you've won your conference, which was our main objective.

"Now it is play-off time – the players understand that.

"They have overcome the first hurdle, now it is up to us – we don't have to look around at other teams to get us into the play-offs.

"We have reached the play-offs three times in the five years [since the introduction of the conference system in 2011].

"I am really proud of the players. Yes, we are unhappy with the draw, but that takes nothing away from the way we played, the way we attacked, the way we defended and the character of this side.

"If you [the media] want to downplay it, that's fine. But I am telling you, from a coach's point of view, this team has performed very well, especially a team that has been given no chance."

He said it is nice to be the conference champs, especially since they have won it three out the five years that it's been up for grabs.

"I can sleep easier now and when I leave [for Japan] I can feel comfortable."

Coetzee said he will definitely consider resting some key players for their trip to Durban this week.

With second place on the standings probably out of their reach, they use the opportunity to "build the capacity" in the squad.

"We know we are in the quarterfinals and we will get an overseas team here [at Newlands]," Coetzee said.

"We want to select our best possible side against the Sharks, make sure we perform well.

"But it is an opportunity to rest certain players who are over-reaching and give them a break before the quarters."

He biggest selection poser might be at flyhalf, where concussion will rule Catrakilis out.

"It will be a great opportunity for Kurt [Coleman] to start, with the concussion of Demetri [Catrakilis]."

As back-up he has a few options.

"A player like Kobus van Wyk could be available, a player like Dillyn Leyds can cover No.10, while a player like Robert du Preez is there and he is a No.10."

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com