Stormers boss 'gutted'
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee was gutted for his players after their dramatic one-point defeat to the Crusaders on Saturday.
Having looked set to defy the odds and the weight of history – as a Stormers team and a South African franchise – the men from Cape Town went down 13-14 to the seven-time Super Rugby-winning franchise.
The score was deadlocked at 3-all at half-time, but the Stormers were leading 13-3 going into the final quarter.
However, a 79th-minute Kieron Fonotia try – sandwiched between two Tom Taylor penalties, the second in the 75th minute – saw the hosts take the lead and hold out for their first victory of 2014.
Speaking from Christchurch, Stormers boss Coetzee said: "I'm gutted for the guys – the effort they put in… they deserved the victory.
"The game was there for the taking but it just slipped away from us in those final quarter. In the end, some of our own errors cost us again, we left two tries out there for instance, but after an effort like that you cannot help but feel for the guys."
One player who will be hurting more than most is experienced flank Schalk Burger, who delivered an all-action display in his first Super Rugby appearance in New Zealand since 2011.
"I was happy with all the players, but Schalk, in particular, had a strong performance," said Coetzee.
"He will be hurting more than most, but it's up to us to get up emotionally for our next game – against the defending champion Chiefs just six days away."
The result aside, Coetzee was happy with all aspects of the Stormers' game, but he singled out the character shown by all the players who took to the field in Christchurch.
Of course, the Stormers were chasing an historic Super Rugby victory – the first for any Stormers team and the first South African win in Christchurch since 2001 (when the Cats won by a single point).
"I've said it before, but this team has immense character," said the Stormers boss.
"I thought the guys were unbelievable in all departments out there in what was an unbelievable performance, but their character stood out the most.
"This team has belief and huge character. Looking ahead, it's about taking all our [scoring] chances and recovering [emotionally] ahead of our next assignment against the defending champs."
Injury-wise, Coetzee will be sweating over the well-being of three key men – hooker Siyabonga Ntubeni (calf muscle), prop Pat Cilliers (rib cartilage) and fullback Jaco Taute (AC Joint).
"It's hard to say right now, we will know more on Monday about Scarra [Ntubeni], Pat [Cilliers] and Jaco [Taute].
"Scarra is the biggest concern at this stage – his calf muscle could be torn. Jaco, like with Siya Kolisi's AC Joint, could take a week… or two… So he is 50-50 at this stage for the Chiefs match."
