'Our worst performance in the URC'
REACTION: It was pure luck and resilience.
Those were the words used by Stormers head coach John Dobson to describe his team’s 22-all draw against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.
The dramatic United Rugby Championship (URC) affair saw the Stormers rally from 8-22 down in the final 12 minutes to level the score through two late penalty tries.
Despite the comeback against a Springbok-laden Sharks team, Stormers coach John Dobson labelled it as one of his team’s worst performances in the URC.
And admitted the Capetonians found themselves lucky not to be on the losing side.
“The truth is we were lucky,” Dobson told reporters following the draw at Kings Park.
“I thought we were dead and buried. The [comeback] clearly shows this team is very resilient.”
GAME-ON! @DamianGaza10 skips and steps the @THESTORMERS back into the game! 🔥#URC | #SHAvSTO pic.twitter.com/5KPjumT6cM
— United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) January 29, 2022
The result means the Stormers have now collected seven points – including the win over the Bulls – on the road since their defeat to the Lions in December at the Cape Town Stadium.
“It’s really good,” Dobson said on their away results.
“Especially since we played as poorly as we did during the match.
“If you look at the process, it is probably our worst performance in the URC. To get a draw, we are really happy.
He added: “They [Sharks] had enough chances to finish us, a five-meter line-out and a few kicks that hit the poles.
“They could have closed us out a bit better, but it was nice for something to go our way.”
#ICYMI: The @SharksRugby and @THESTORMERS
played to a 22-all draw in a dramatic finish to their encounter in #Durban on #Saturday #Rugby #RugbyUnion@URCOfficial#SHAvSTO https://t.co/MEeKZOVa6l— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 30, 2022
One of the areas Stormers certainly struggled with was the scrums. Springbok Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nche got the better of young Sazi Sandi on a couple of occasions.
“I think we finished on 18 penalties, seven scrum penalties, you have to go back to another era to find when Western Province or the Stormers gave away that number of scrum penalties,” Dobson said.
“Nonetheless, we knew the Sharks had a great front row.
“We knew we were playing with a very young tighthead in the form of Sandi.
“He did really well last week against the Bulls and it was a tough experience for him at Kings Park.
“However to give away that amount of penalties you have to give credit to Nche.
“I thought Nche was absolutely magnificent. The growth in that player is incredible because we don’t have a bad front row.
“He is one of the better looseheads in international rugby at the moment. So, it’s good for Sandi’s journey, he will learn from this.
“I have got no doubt this will not happen again next week.”
The coach revealed that centre Rikus Pretorius sustained an ugly cut on his leg during the warm-up.
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*Photo credit: THESTORMERS
