VIDEO: Coetzee reveals key area where Bulls dominated Stormers
REACTION: The Bulls’ forwards laid the foundation for their first-ever United Rugby Championship victory over the Stormers and captain Marcell Coetzee and his pack were the dominant force at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Coetzee explained how important it was to win the collision battle, something they managed to do in style.
“The Stormers are still a quality side. It’s hard to find fault in their game, their kicking game and how they manage the game.
“And they’ve got dangerous counter-strikers at the back and their set-pieces are functioning well,” Coetzee told the media at the post-match press conference brandishing a big gash under his eye that signifies the tough battle he was in.
“But ultimately it was in the team talk. If we wanted any chance in this game, we had to win the collisions and reward the fans that came. We pride ourselves on our physicality and I am just glad the boys backed it up.”
The captain reflected on the previous games the Bulls lost against the Stormers, and says it was always close encounters.
“It was always close games if you look at the previous games. Moments that turned the game, maybe we weren’t accurate at times. I felt tonight our game management was superb and that’s a credit to the back three and everyone just sticking to the game plan,” Coetzee said.
The captain said nothing should be taken away from the Stormers, a quality side that have been the driving force in the URC the last two seasons.
“They made mistakes and we just put pressure on that.
“You can only measure yourself when you play against a quality side and the Stormers are a quality side. They’ve been in the finals for two years running, and I think for the morale, it sort of creates a belief in the squad that we can go all the way.
“There’s nothing like a big game like tonight that just glues the team together.
“I have to give credit to the Stormers, they just never looked like they were going away, they just kept in the fight.
“We want to get home play-offs. We learnt from the past you just make it harder on yourself with the travels.
“If you want to be on top, you have to be the boss of your own conference. That is knocking out derby games.
“A lot of confidence was taken out of tonight on how can play against a quality side like the Stormers,” he concluded.
He was adamant that this victory will not go to their heads as there was still a lot of rugby to be played.
“The biggest thing is to stay humble and not look ahead. We managed to squeeze out a great victory tonight. But I think there are a few areas where we can be better.
“There’s nothing bigger than this, to come together and gel. We back the coaches and we back the culture.”
