'Tactical genius': Dobson opens up on Ellis Park turnaround
REACTION: The introduction of the Stormers’ bench players proved to be a game-changer in their United Rugby Championship clash against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Stormers were 10-22 down at half-time before the game turned on its head in the second half with the replacements making a big difference in the last half-hour.
The Stormers ended up winning the match 31-22 after they scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.
“In terms of the bench we used them earlier than we usually do,” Dobson told reporters after the match.
“People will say it’s tactical genius, but we were worried.
“We just needed to make changes.
“We just felt we didn’t have the energy we needed and those guys brought massive energy.”
The Stormers boss added: “I am pleased with the outcome.
“To win at Ellis Park you need to have energy and guys that are prepared to run and that is what the bench was about.
“I do think they made a huge difference there.
“I don’t know what the final penalty count was but it must have been close to 20 which is off the charts and we lost five line-outs.
“People are praising our character but I would like to see us do better in terms of our performance.”
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The player that probably made the biggest impact off the bench was loose forward Nama Xaba.
The 25-year-old won several crucial turnovers in the match, which helped turn the tide in the final quarter and there was a big question about why he didn’t start the match.
“He [Xaba] was outstanding in Cardiff as well, but we had a plan for Ellis Park and that was to have guys that could really cover ground in the last half-hour,” Dobson explained.
“My conversation with Nama in the week was: ‘Outstanding performance, you are not dropped – you just got a different role’.”
“If we were chasing the game, we wanted someone who could cover the ground. That was the plan and he bought into the plan.
“In different conditions and circumstances he might have been starting, but I am really happy with where he is.
“Maybe if this game happened last week or two weeks ago then he could have gotten himself on an aeroplane [for the Boks’ end-of-year tour].
“But his time will come. I’ve got no doubt about that.”
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