Stormers can emulate 'Liverpool and Tottenham' says WP boss

SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The WP Rugby Board confirmed that they have met with head coach Robbie Fleck during the team’s bye week to discuss the way forward after a poor season so far.

The Stormers are currently sitting at the bottom of the South African Conference with five wins and six losses from their 11 games so far. The Cape side are ninth in the overall standings.

However, the current Stormers management team has received the full backing of the WP Rugby Board as the team enters the home stretch of the 2019 Super Rugby campaign.

With five matches to play until the play-offs, four of which will be at home at Newlands, the Stormers are still well within range of the knock-out phase of the competition.

And the WP Rugby Board of Directors are backing Fleck to get the results required in the next few weeks to ensure the team is firmly in the play-off mix this season.

Fleck’s charges have lost just one game at Newlands this season and will be aiming to build on that record as they face the likes of the Crusaders, Highlanders, Sunwolves and Sharks on home soil.

“Rugby is a game of inches and there have been some frustrating results this season from the Stormers where the rub of the green has not gone our way, but we all need to give them our full support as we get closer to the play-offs.

“We have seen some inspirational stories in the UEFA Champions League in recent weeks, with both Liverpool and Tottenham producing epic comebacks which show what is achievable if all stakeholders are aligned. There is no reason, with all the quality we have in our playing and coaching group, that the Stormers cannot emulate those performances this season,” he said.

Chairman of the WP Rugby Board of Directors Johan van de Merwe said that the supporters are key to the success of the Stormers this season.

“We know that we have fantastic players, great coaches and the best supporters in the world. The Board of Directors has shown faith in the coaching staff and with the support of the Newlands Faithful we can all drive this team to achieve great things this season,” he said.

Western Province Rugby Football Union President Zelt Marais added: “I would like to urge everyone to follow the lead of the Board and show why they are known as the Newlands Faithful.

“Let’s all come together and show the world why our fans are known for their passion and loyalty,” he said.