Execution pleases Coetzee
The Stormers were full value for their three tries to one victory over their opponents from Perth, having led 17-3 at half-time.
“I’m very pleased with the way that the plan was executed. We exited very well and we got the balance spot on,” Coetzee told the official DHL Stormers website on Saturday evening.
“I think that the team is maturing, there is a collective buy-in and the players understand the plan clearly… everyone is on the same page.”
Looking ahead, with another home match at DHL Newlands next weekend (against the Cheetahs), Coetzee added: “We are still waiting to put a full 80-plus (minutes) together, we got to 60 tonight which is the first time this season that for the majority of the match we have executed well.
“I am happy with the physicality, I am happy with the intensity and even the rest of the squad have done really well and backed that up.”
Captain Duane Vermeulen, who led the team in the absence of Schalk Burger, added: “We went into this game with a simple plan.
“The Force have a good kicking game and we knew we had to counter that. There was a massive work-rate from every single oke on that pitch to do their job.
“It is nice to win the territory battle, to play in their half for 60-odd minutes is great, then you can be in front and score tries and have opportunities.”
Burger will be considered for selection this week, after withdrawing from Saturday’s clash at the 11th hour with a bruised back/coccyx region (courtesy of the previous week’s encounter in Pretoria), with the likes of Oli Kebble (concussion), Demetri Catrakilis (broken nose), Jean de Villiers (AC Joint) and Sailosi Tagicakibau (calf muscle) also likely to be back in selection contention.
Prop Brok Harris – who was playing in his 200th senior provincial match for WP Rugby – suffered an AC Joint injury in the 24th minute of Saturday’s game, which saw him replaced by Alistair Vermaak.
“Brok will be managed this week,” explained Coetzee, “there are a few other niggles, but, for the first time this season, there are no new traumatic injuries from a fixture.”
Saturday’s Cheetahs match at DHL Newlands will get underway at 17h05.
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