Coetzee: We’re not there yet

The Stormers on Saturday take on the Cheetahs in a South African Super 14 derby at Newlands.

Coetzee said he was “pretty pleased” with the way the Stormers played. “The more pleasing thing is that we’re improving every week and we’re maintaining our defence which was outstanding again and like I said last week it gives us a better opportunity to take more risks on attack.

“And the attack is getting there as well. We scored five tries on attack, which is pleasing, and we created a lot of opportunities. We realise that we’ve still got work to do – the mere fact that we’re scoring the five tries doesn’t say that we’re there yet.”

It was evident on Saturday that there is a lot of confidence in the side. The coach agreed. “This team backs the systems that we’ve put in place and it’s pleasing to see that the players believe in those systems.

“When we see progression and there’s more confidence in the system, there’s no doubt about the attitude, no doubt about the physicality, or the pack that can compete with any pack and it’s also nice to see the backs are coming along nicely. We’re happy with where we are at this point in time in the season.

“The guys are really enjoying themselves. Tonight we had a definite respect for the ball. We were a lot more composed, here and there, there still was a rush of blood, but I’m happy with the way the players are having a go on attack.

“A couple of games away we’d just kick the ball away. Tonight we held onto the ball and took it through another phase or two and that has paid dividends.”

The coach lauded big Fijian winger Sireli Naqalavuki for his contribution to the victory. “We’re all human beings and in bad times you’ve got to back someone, because when he’s confident he will produce.

“He’s a world class player. He didn’t play for Fiji for nothing. We know the strengths of Sireli in our squad and I’m just happy to see his confidence is back and he’s producing.”