Waratahs could 'bully' Stormers
Stormers' coach Allister Coetzee says his team will need to front-up physically if they are to have any chance of beating the defending Super Rugby champions, the Waratahs, on Saturday.
The Cape outfit have lost three games in a row and are still without a win on their Australasian tour – following losses to the Highlanders and the Hurricanes, as well as a home defeat to the Chiefs before their departure.
They now face a side brimming with internationals across the park.
"They are one of the competition's most complete teams," said Coetzee during a teleconference with Cape media.
"It is going to take our A-game to compete in all the areas.
"They are not a team where you can get scrum dominance. If you look at their front row, it is a Wallaby front row.
"From a defensive point of view we need to make sure that we are in their faces for 80 minutes. They have big ball carriers across the park so we will be tested by that as well.
"It's not just about stopping their momentum, but also how aggressive we are at the breakdowns. This is what we have to do this weekend."
Coetzee is well aware of the damage the Waratah's playmakers can inflict on his team and said that they will have to smarten up and execute better to claim their first win on tour this year.
"They are a smart team. They got Bernard Foley [at flyhalf], who can kick well, and Kurtley Beale, who can kick well at No.12. They bring [Israel] Folau into the centre as well. It is going to be a big challenge.
"We have done our homework and hopefully we can execute this weekend. That is where we fell short on during this tour – our execution and our ball control," he said.
The Stormers played with more intensity and physicality in the second half against the Hurricanes last week and came back from being 3-25 down to close the gap to just five points – eventually running out of time.
It is something they are looking to impose on the Waratahs from the outset.
"We take a lot of heart from our second-half performance and we really dominated the Hurricanes and actually played them off the park in the second half. This is the momentum we would like to build on.
"They [Waratahs] have big players, but we are pitching up with the same attitude, the same intensity and physicality. I think that is what turned how game around in the second half and by just keeping things simple.
"I don't want to over analyse, the game is a very simple game and if we focus on that three things then we stand a chance against any team," said the Stormers coach.
When asked about the reasoning in sending regular captain Duane Vermeulen home before such a big clash, Coetzee was adamant that there was enough quality depth in the squad to offset the loss.
"We have five home games coming up and we would like to have the captain at home. He is a category A player and we have to rest Duane for four games.
"Irrespective of the situation we still have a group of players that can do the job and we are certainly determined to do that. We worked very hard and I am very confident with that scenario," Coetzee added.
By Warren Fortune
