DHL Stormers on the right path
DHL Stormers coach Robbie Fleck wants to see his team make further progress down the path they have chosen to walk this season.
With six wins from their eight Vodacom Super Rugby games this season, the DHL Stormers have managed to create a winning culture while making some key changes to their approach.
Since taking over at the start of the year, Fleck has tried to encourage his players to build on their traditional strengths while adding more of a ruthless edge on attack.
While there have been some disappointing moments, Fleck is pleased with the progress his side has made so far this season, and would like to see them continue to evolve as the season progresses.
“I’m happy with our progress thus far. There have been glimpses of the fearless rugby we’re trying to adopt, but there have been moments where we’ve let ourselves down. However, there are signs of progression along the path we’ve chosen.
“We’ve got some way to go in terms of the campaign and our own growth, but we’re a team playing a brand of rugby that we set out to play. Having said that, we’re certainly not the finished product yet,” said Fleck.
The next challenge for Fleck’s charges is the clash with the Waratahs at DHL Newlands on Saturday, and the DHL Stormers coach knows that they will have to be on top of their game if they are to repeat their convincing victory against the same opponents in Sydney last year.
“The Waratahs are a team that have found a bit of form recently. They had a slow start to their campaign, but they always had quality coaching and quality players and it was just a matter of time before they find their feet again.
“They found a bit of rhythm again against the Force. They got big, physical players and they got a lot of Test players in that side, which is mixed with some youngsters.
“Physically it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
“I think the Waratahs still have a culture of wanting to keep the ball in hand, they have some good runners out wide and some big forwards. They base their game on momentum, and so we will need to be very good defensively once again. But we are looking to play a bit more with ball in hand and we do need to take the opportunities when they arise,” he added.
