DHL Stormers aiming for next level in NZ

The DHL Stormers are aiming to grow their game further and take it to the next level on what will be a testing three-match tour of New Zealand.

Following their first defeat of the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby season against the Emirates Lions at DHL Newlands, the DHL Stormers flew to Auckland where they began preparations to face the unbeaten Crusaders this weekend.

After reviewing the defeat to the Emirates Lions and identifying which areas they need to improve on, the DHL Stormers turned their attention to their first opponents on tour who will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.

Although disappointed with the defeat to the Emirates Lions, DHL Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck is determined to learn from the loss and make a step up in their game when they face the Crusaders.

“Every week we start from scratch, that is what we have been good at this year. Whether it is a win or a loss we have got to come back and work hard all over again.

“This is the toughest competition around, when you take in the travel and who the opposition is.

“The tour is not going to be easy but we are looking forward to it,” he said.

Kiwi Skills and Attack coach Paul Feeney said that it does not come much tougher than their first assignment on tour this weekend.

“The Crusaders are unbeaten, their forward pack is laden with All Blacks, they are playing confidently and they are at home, so it doesn’t get much tougher than that.

“The boys are feeling good, we had a long travel over here but they are in good spirits and we took some good learnings out of the last game. We are excited about the challenge of playing the Crusaders,” he said.

Feeney said that it will take an almighty effort to stand up to the fearsome Crusaders forward pack, but added that it is a challenge that the team is relishing as they look to bounce back from their first defeat.

“They are very good at set-piece, very physical, very organised. It is the best forward pack going around in Vodacom Super Rugby, it’s as simple as that.

“We know it is a very good side, but we are excited by the challenge. We want to judge ourselves on our performance based on our learnings from last week,” Feeney added.