‘No easy games’ says Coetzee
The Brumbies, unbeaten on the road since 2012, beat the Sharks 29-10 in Durban at the weekend – setting up an intriguing clash in the DHL Stormers’ second home game of the 2013 season.
“There is no easy game in this competition. In fact, there is no easy Conference in Super Rugby,” said DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee on Monday.
“What the (Sharks-Brumbies) game did show was that you have to pitch up every week. The Brumbies were disciplined and deserved their win.”
When asked about the Brumbies’ strengths, Coetzee, who coached alongside their coach Jake White at Springbok level from 2004 until 2007, pointed to a variety of weapons in the Australian side’s arsenal.
Said Coetzee: “They are the pace-setters in the 2013 Super Rugby tournament – it will be a tough game against a quality side, but we’re looking forward to the challenge of playing a quality outfit.
“Their set-piece is good, they put the opposition under pressure with ball in hand and it will be a good challenge for our defensive system and defence line. Technically, the Brumbies have been good, as they showed against the Sharks, but people tend to be overlooking the fact that this Brumbies side is also a physical unit too. Jake (White) is a South African and he knows what it takes – as a coach – to win those collisions.”
Despite the presence of a form Brumbies unit, and the Jake White factor, the Stormers boss knows in his own mind what his side needs to do come the weekend.
“We need to train well this week and make sure we get our execution right on the day,” he said.
“We need to front up physically, get our set-piece right – which is a given – and our defence, which has been synonymous with Stormers rugby of late, we must get that right. We would like, also, to hold onto the ball in the right areas on the field which, already, has been improving with every game.”
Coetzee has a few selection headaches this week, with the return to fitness of forward Michael Rhodes (hamstring), centre Juan de Jongh (also hamstring) and fullback Jaco Taute (groin area), but he welcomed the situation.
“There was an excitement and a buzz at training today,” said Coetzee, after giving his players a few days off during their bye week.
“Mike Rhodes, Juan de Jongh and Jaco Taute are all training well. That’s a good thing for us, as they will all be available for selection against the Brumbies.
“Unfortunately, (flyhalf) Peter Grant went over his ankle a bit last week and he’s just staying off his ankle at the moment. We’ll put him through a few tests tomorrow and will see then if he’s fit or not.”
Coetzee will announce the DHL Stormers side – to take on the Brumbies – at lunch-time on Wednesday.
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