DHL Stormers seeking killer instinct
While satisfied with their 25-19 win against the Reds at DHL Newlands the DHL Stormers are intent on sharpening their finishing going forward.
It was a third straight win at DHL Newlands this season, which saw the DHL Stormers score three tries against the Queensland outfit, but Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that the team was left frustrated by the amount of attacking opportunities that did not lead to tries.
Fleck’s team were dominant in the set-pieces and enjoyed a territorial advantage as well as the majority of possession, but were let down at times by their execution on attack.
“It was clear we were the dominant team, we dictated the game for the majority of it but our execution let us down in the second half when we had so many opportunities.
“It is disappointing that we didn’t win by more, but credit to the Reds, they stayed in the fight, but the tries they scored were through our errors.
“Our boys dished out some good, hard play in that first half which set the tone, that gave us the advantage and we kept coming at them.
“Our scrums and line-outs and mauling was good and we got good go-forward, but just that final pass went astray, so that is something we have to focus on,” he said.
Fleck said that while the team were happy to come away with another win, there is no doubt in their minds that they can raise their performances levels further.
“We were dominant and created opportunities, but I am not happy with the final execution. If we get that right then the points will pile up and the scores will be bigger.
“If we can have a week where we can have some continuity in our play and selections, we can go far in this competition.
“The players were a little bit frustrated at the end there, because they know they were the dominant team,” he said.
DHL Stormers captain Siya Kolisi said that individual errors let them down in a physical encounter and added that the team is looking forward to the next challenge against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
“Individual errors let us down, but in general the team was good.
“I’m sore and I’m going to be sore for a while, it was exactly what we prepared for this week. Every single player in their team is told to be physical.
“Next week is another challenge that we are excited about. We don’t need a lot of motivation, just going to Loftus is enough motivation,” he said.
Fleck is hopeful of having a number of backline players who missed the Reds clash available to face the Vodacom Bulls.
“Hopefully Dillyn Leyds, SP Marais, JJ Engelbrecht and Jano Vermaak will be back, it doesn’t look like Dewaldt Duvenage is going to be passed fit, he has hurt his rib.
“There is good continuity in the forwards and they are going pretty well, the midfield is also going pretty well
“Getting those combinations right and getting the final execution will stand us in good stead going forward,” he added.
