Stormers have work to do

 

The Cape side dominated the first half against the Cheetahs at Newlands on Friday, and held on for a 39-31 win after both teams made a number of subsitutions in the second half.

 

Despite worrying injuries to locks Eben Etzebeth and Manuel Carizza, coach Allister Coetzee said that he was happy with the way his side went about things as they stepped up the intensity in their second warm-up game.

 

"I think it was a big step up from last weekend's friendly. In the first half we were very clinical, we exited well and built good momentum and pressure with ball in hand. 

 

"Our breakdown looked good and generated quick ball, we scrummed well and I think the biggest thing about our team is our physicality and that didn't disappoint," he said.

 

However, one worrying aspect for the Stormers coach was that they conceded two maul tries which is something that they will need to focus on before they meet the big Bulls pack in their opening game of the season at Loftus Versfeld.

 

"The negatives for me were the two maul tries we conceded,  we are not a team that concedes maul tries like that so that is something we will work on.

 

"There is a lot of work to be done still. The mindset of the Bulls pack is about forward dominance which is built on a maul and we conceded two maul tries, so we have got work to do.

 

"In all other areas of the game there are good signs and good improvement so it is a good platform to build on for our first game," he added.

 

Captain Duane Vermeulen echoed his coach's sentiments, and warned that there is still some fine-tuning to be done before they take on the Bulls.

 

"I think there is a lot to work on, so we have two weeks to do that. We were happy with how we played in the first half, but you must be able to make that switch from playing just with the forwards to including the backline as well.

 

"Although we are happy with how it is going so far, we always strive for the perfect game and at the moment we are not there yet," he said.

 

Coetzee added that despite rumours he is set to join a Japanese club, his focus remains firmly with the Stormers and their upcoming campaign.

 

"My future is so predictable, I am still contracted to Western Province, I haven't signed any contract anywhere else, not even with Western Province.

 

"To be honest with you my head is in this campaign, it is a massively important campaign for us and that is where I would like to leave any speculation," he said.