The Stormers are not banking on the log-leading Glasgow Warriors slipping up in the final round of the Vodacom URC. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
Coach John Dobson says the Cape side expects Ulster to prioritise next week’s EPCR Challenge Cup final against Montpellier, rather than the URC clash against Glasgow in Belfast.
The second-placed Stormers face seventh-placed Cardiff at the same time on Friday night knowing victory will secure a possible home semi-final.
Ulster are not yet guaranteed a place in the URC playoffs as they sit in eighth position on 50 points, only one ahead of the hard-charging Connacht.
However, Dobson admitted the Stormers were unlikely to overtake Glasgow, who lead the standings by one point.
“I think last week we lost our chance to finish top,” said Dobson. “Ulster identified our game as the one to target because they wanted to rest players for the Challenge Cup final.
“I’d imagine they’ll put a lot of academy guys into the team this week. It would be a pleasant surprise [if Ulster win], but we won’t be watching. Our thing is just to get the win.”
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Dobson expects a stern challenge against a Cardiff side that has lost only once at the Arms Park this season in eight matches. The Stormers have also lost both URC matches they have played in the Welsh capital.
“They’ve got a really well-organised defence and a very good kicking game,” he said.
“What cost us here two years ago was the contestable kicking battle. They know how to play at the Arms Park. We’ll have to be much better in the air contesting.”
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Stand-in captain Neethling Fouché says the Stormers are determined to reassert themselves at scrum and maul time.
“I think we had a couple of frustrated forwards after last week. It’s probably the first time it’s happened to us that we haven’t had dominance on our own scrum ball.
“We’ve worked on it this week and put the necessary things in place around our mauls and different challenges that might come.”
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The Stormers did not have a single scrum put-in in Belfast, denying them several potential penalties that fuel their territorial game.
“Normally we’re getting three or four scrum penalties a game and one or two more penalties out wide [with our maul’,” Dobson said.
“That’s massive points, territory and field position that probably weren’t there last week.
“Set-piece is an area where we really want to engage and make it part of our game model.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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