Same mistakes, same outcome: Dobson’s blunt Stormers verdict
REACTION: John Dobson didn’t hide behind excuses after the Stormers’ second straight derby defeat to the Sharks, admitting that while the preparation boxes were ticked, the behaviours that mattered never changed.
The Stormers conceded 16 penalties and two yellow cards in their 24-38 loss to the Sharks in Durban on Saturday, and for Dobson, the lack of improvement between the two derbies was the most worrying sign of all.
“We talked about it this week to start the halves well. We probably got both right, but the rest wasn’t a behaviour change from last week. I think the two games were very similar,” said the Stormers coach.
Dobson was quick to credit the Sharks, who completed a rare Cape Town double over the Stormers in successive weeks.
“Credit to the Sharks, they beat us properly over the past two weeks. Our discipline was poor, and our set-piece definitely let us down. I thought their aerial game was really good, and they played with an obvious plan, and it worked for them.”
What frustrated Dobson most was the sense of déjà vu.
“The most frustrating thing about tonight [Saturday] is that everything that went wrong last week went wrong this week. There has to be a behaviour change; it is really poor from us and bad for our supporters.”
The Stormers’ struggles close to their own line again proved costly.
“Five-metre lineouts not converted, giving penalties away at mauls, which led to some of the discipline stuff. So, to fix the stuff, there needs to be a behaviour change. It was really poor from us, and I feel bad for our supporters.”
Dobson also praised Sharks coach JP Pietersen, whose side outplayed the Stormers in the key moments.
“I give them enormous credit. They’ve come, and they beat us twice. He is obviously doing something right within the organisation. They played with real purpose, a clear plan, so yes, he has done well.”
The aerial battle and discipline again swung the contest.
“We didn’t win the contestable game as much as we would have liked to. They were really good in the air. If you are going to be on 11 penalties in 20 minutes, that’s going to include a card.
“If you are going to play 40 minutes in a South African derby with seven forwards, with Damian Willemse scrumming on the flank a lot of the time, it’s not good enough.”
Stormers captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu cut a frustrated figure at the post-match press conference and echoed his coach’s assessment, pointing to discipline as the turning point.
“The lack of discipline cost us. When we played our game, we were on top of them. Going into halftime, we were up 24-14, and we just let it slip.
“Within ten minutes, we went from an upbeat team scoring tries. That’s just the reality. We were being reckless, careless and irresponsible. Our discipline is costing us.”
