Dobson flags major Stormers concern ahead of URC semis
REACTION: Despite the 23-point victory by the Stormers, it was nothing but smooth sailing for the Capetonians as they recorded a 44-21 win over Cardiff at the DHL Stadium on Saturday.
John Dobson’s men were made to work hard for their win. The match started on a very scrappy note, with the Stormers creating numerous chances but failing to capitalise in the opening minutes.
They also conceded a try in the 19th minute when Jacob Beetham intercepted an Imad Khan flick deep in Cardiff’s 22 before feeding the ball to Cam Winnett, who raced away for the opening try.
However, they took control of proceedings and turned the screw with their set-piece, forcing errors and penalties out of Cardiff, and eventually scored six tries to three for a spot in the last four.
*MATCH REPORT: Stormers v Cardiff
“I give them [Cardiff] credit for their fight and the way they came back in the second half,” said Dobson, whose side had a 21-7 lead at the break.
“I don’t think we played poorly. I know with 15 minutes to go it was still an anxious game, but I thought our processes were pretty good.
“The game should have been resolved by half-time, that’s the truth.
“It’s an old issue of ours, four entries, and we were minus seven points from the intercept, but the rest of the process I thought was sound.
“We had a template around the set-piece on how we wanted to play. I think we only broke it once, which might sound funny, but that’s very little for a game.
“So happy with the process, happy with the outcome, just a very expensive game [in terms of injuries].”
Heading into the semifinals against Leinster, a significant concern for Dobson will certainly be his team’s conversion rate inside the opposition’s 22.
The side had numerous entries into Cardiff’s 22, while Ruhan Nel and Stefan Ungerer were held up over the line, leaving a possible 10 points on the park.
“That has been our whole season,” Dobson said when asked about the wasted opportunities.
“That’s the one law in rugby that has to change. I’m not saying that just because it’s against us.
“I just don’t understand this concept. You do so well, and you’re rewarded with receiving the ball back on your 10-metre line.
“The old law was much better. If you attack well, five-metre scrum.”
Stormers captain Ruhan Nel shared his coach’s frustration but chose to focus on the positives, highlighting the number of opportunities his side created.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but in the same breath, it’s encouraging,” Nel stated.
“You’re obviously getting into the right spaces.
“I think that was the frustration after they got that intercept try because we’d come a little bit loose, and then that’s the result of it.
“I’ve never been part of a season where we’ve been held up so many times, it’s funny.”
The Stormers will take on Leinster on June 6 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for a spot in the Grand Final against either Glasgow Warriors or the Bulls.
