Risk paid off as Stormers at full-strength for Grand Final
INJURY UPDATE: Stormers will be at full-strength when they face Munster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final on May 27 in Cape Town.
The Stormers’ head coach John Dobson took a huge risk when he opted to preserve Springbok duo Marvin Orie and Deon Fourie for the URC semifinal against Connacht on Saturday.
Fourie (hamstring) and Orie (shoulder) picked up the injuries during the quarterfinal match against the Bulls and were not medically ruled out.
However, Dobson opted to rest the pair as a precaution for the big showdown on May 27.
The pair’s absence was felt with the lineouts and breakdown being an area of concern during the semifinal against Connacht.
“We took a hell of risk not playing Deon and Marvin,” Stormers head coach John Dobson admitted on Monday.
“But it was the right thing for them and the team and luckily they will both be in the mix for the Final.”
#SPOTLIGHT: ‘It would be wrong for him not to be pushing for that South African No.10 jersey.’#rugby #news #Sports @THESTORMERS https://t.co/zLXWEsatrR
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Fourie’s return will add some much-needed grit to the breakdown, which was lacking the last time Munster visited Cape Town.
Fourie was ruled out due to injury during a 24-26 defeat to Munster.
The defeat ended Stormers’ 15-month unbeaten run at home and Stormers’ boss is well aware of the enormous challenge.
Thus far Munster has recorded some astonishing away wins, which include the narrow 16-15 semifinal win over Leinster at Lansdowne Road.
To make the win more significant, the side took on Leinster without key players Springbok lock Rudolf Snyman, Ireland star Conor Murray and Malakai Fekitoa, who are expected to return for the Final.
“The achievement of winning against Leinster without Murray, Snyman and Fekitoa was just unbelievable,” Dobson said.
“Deon didn’t play for us when they beat us on their last visit here, and that will make a difference for us.
“But they will be stronger than they were against Leinster. RG was only out because of HIA protocols, and I think it was the same with Fekitoa. So they should both be back.
Dobson added: “It’s going to be a very very hard task. We have not beaten Munster in the URC, they have beaten us twice.
“They ended our proud home record and they have been incredible over the last two weeks.
“They have gone to [Landsdowne Road] and have won a game, they have come to Cape Town and won, they have gone to Durban and draw. So they are pretty tough opposition.”
#⃣WATCH as @THESTORMERS coach John Dobson explains what really drives his team ahead of their second-consecutive @URCOfficial Final appearance and how they have players ‘lining up’ to play in #CapeTown #Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍
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