VIDEO: 'Rusty' Stormers touring at the right time
Coach Robbie Fleck spoke of 'rustiness' – in terms of finishing and decision-making – in their 28-20 win over the Jaguares in the opening round at Newlands at the weekend.
"The overall assessment is: 'Great character'," Fleck said, adding: "Rustiness is not a bad thing first up."
He was supported by captain – Siyamthanda Kolisi, who said it was 'a good thing' that they had to scrap it out in their opening match – ahead of a tough tour that will see them face the Waratahs, Crusaders and Highlanders.
"You don't have to lose to learn all the time," Kolisi said, adding: "What stood out for us, was our character.
"Winning was vital, because we wanted to get on the plane with a win.,"
He said they are 'excited' about the tour.
"We're not calling it a hard tour," Kolisi said – in reference to the quality of the opposition.
He said the tour comes at the "right time".
"Many people will not see it that way, but we see it as such. We are positive about the tour."
The Stormers coach felt that his team could have won far more comfortably if they had taken advantage of all the opportunities they created, especially in the first half which saw them breaking the defensive line regularly.
"There were so many chances in that first half but our finishing let us down. I guess there is a bit of rustiness in the group which is to be expected with the number of injuries and changes we have had to make over the last couple of weeks.
"Our decision-making let us down at times and we left a lot out there, to be honest," said Fleck.
By Jan de Koning
@king365ed
@rugby365com
