Rhodes blow for Stormers
The Stormers have paid a dear price for their impressive 32-18 win over the defending Super Rugby champion Waratahs in Sydney at the weekend.
The Stormers overturned a 13-15 half-time deficit to record their first tour win of 2015 – scoring a four-try bonus point in the process.
However, coach Allister Coetzee revealed that flank Mike Rhodes may be returning home, after suffering a hamstring injury – limping off in the 33rd minute against the 'Tahs.
There are further concerns over the fitness of flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis – ahead of their Round 10 encounter with the Western Force this coming Saturday – after he took a blow to the head and was replaced at the start of the second half.
"Demetri was a bit uncomfortable, so we didn't want to risk him," Coetzee said.
"But the big worry for us, after a very physical match, is Mike Rhodes – who has done his hamstring.
"He might be on his way home."
Coetzee said they will have some sore bodies after the encounter with a very physical Waratahs team.
"Our first intention is to field a strong and fit team against the Force next week," the coach said.
"We need to continue improving, as we have on this tour, and will keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard in our final week."
An elated Coetzee also heaped the praise on his coaching team and all the players in the aftermath of their excellent win over the defending champion Waratahs.
"I'm really, really happy," Coetzee said.
"The players were really determined to register this win and it was a massive performance from everyone.
"The guys really stepped up to the next level to beat the reigning champions [at home] and to also score four tries.
"It was a 23-man squad effort and credit must go to all the players and all the coaches for all the work that went in this past week," added the Stormers boss.
"All our plans came together, the bench worked well – all the players that came on made an impact. It's something we needed against a physical Waratahs team and (also) in our third week on tour."
The Stormers went down 20-25 to the table-topping Hurricanes the previous week and Coetzee believes the confidence from their second-half showing in Wellington helped the team pull it through against the 'Tahs.
He said: "I said last week we were heading in the right direction and the belief in this team, despite having one log point to show for our efforts until this match, has always been there.
"I thought our balance was spot on – our kicking game was excellent and we put in a huge defensive effort. We also capitalised on that defensive effort and utilised any turnover possession in scoring our four tries."
