DHL Stormers tour update – 06/05/13

The Stormers are in Sydney at present – having traveled from New Zealand at the weekend – and they had a good series of meetings at their team base after Friday’s narrow 17-18 loss to the Blues in Albany.

“We’ve had a thorough review of our match against the Blues,” said Coetzee on Monday morning (SA time) from Sydney.

“It was amazing to see how many opportunities we created, but did not take. We scored points when our execution was effective, but we wasted far too many points-scoring opportunities and it’s something we have addressed.

“Our defence was, again, fantastic,” added Coetzee. “Our set-piece went well. We just need to make sure that we’re more accurate with ball in hand.”

Coetzee is not expected to make too many changes to the team, for Saturday’s match against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium (11h40 SA time), but there will be an enforced change in the second row following De Kock Steenkamp’s sternum injury.

Steenkamp, who will be out for four weeks, has already flown home to South Africa and fit-again Springbok star Eben Etzebeth is likely to make his first start of the 2013 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

“Eben will have to start, that’s an obvious one,” explained the Stormers boss. “In terms of other changes, continuity is important; if you look at the mistakes we made, keeping continuity would obviously help alleviate that. I haven’t decided yet if there will be changes (for this week).”

The ‘Tahs, with their 72-10 demolition of the Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, are the form team of the Super Rugby tournament at present and the DHL Stormers will face a stiff challenge in their third tour outing.

Said Coetzee: “That was a powerful display from the Waratahs – they showed their intent to dominate. They’re a good side, they’ll be returning to Sydney (from South Africa) with a lot of confidence.

“(But) we won’t be changing anything in our preparation this week. We will ensure we’re more accurate at training, to help with our game-day execution, but there’s reason to suddenly do something out of the ordinary. We’re preparing to face a good Waratahs team – that’s it.”