John Dobson says the DHL Stormers need two wins from their remaining matches on tour towards Zebre and Edinburgh to keep away from a repeat of the stumbling begin to final season. DYLAN JACK reviews.
Coming off a season-opening loss to the Ospreys in Bridgend, the DHL Stormers are desperate to bounce again after they tackle Italian aspect Zebre in Parma on Saturday.
Final season noticed the Stormers return from a four-week tour winless and with just a few shedding bonus factors within the bag, which put them below stress from the get-go.
Dobson mentioned on Friday that he’s desperate to keep away from that very same expertise, because the Stormers set a aim of an eight-point return from this season’s tour.
“We mentioned from the beginning that we needed to get two wins on tour. We’ve received ourselves into jail. We’ve performed that card already,” Dobson mentioned.
“There’s tons within the course of that I noticed that was good final week. Our lineouts towards Griquas, we misplaced eight or 9, went as much as 100% final week. The way in which the forwards carried and a number of the indicators on assault had been actually, actually good.
“It did reveal some flaws, round our exiting. Our contestable sport hasn’t been nearly as good away over the past whereas. It’s one thing we’ve prided ourselves on. If you wish to win abroad, it’s important to win the contestable sport, you will have to have the ability to exit and win your lineouts.
“Our aim, if we need to get these two wins, is to get our exits proper, have an excellent contestable sport and see a bit extra energy in our maul.
“We’re going for each video games. If we don’t come house with eight or 9 factors, we shall be just a little bit upset. In some methods we’re below stress.
“We don’t need to go down the journey of final yr’s tour, which put a knife to our throats for the remainder of the season, making an attempt to make up factors. It places you into your shell and we try to develop our assault a bit. Whenever you begin feeling that stress, you begin changing into extra conservative.
“Two wins is the aim.”
Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply that the Stormers shall be taking Zebre evenly, particularly after the house aspect scalped 2023 champions Munster in a shocking upset final week.
“It’s a really totally different Zebre staff now,” Dobson mentioned. “They’re all Italian, very younger below a model new coach, taking part in nearly an Irish model of rugby with ball in hand. There’s no baggage of the previous, they’re fearless.
“It was an distinctive efficiency towards Munster. It hasn’t helped our week in a method. You go from processing the frustration of Bridgend to the realisation of the stress of this sport.
“They’re historically one of many weaker groups, however that gained’t be the case this yr. They’ve an excellent staff. I don’t see them in that class in any respect. The URC is getting extra aggressive annually.”
Photograph: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Photos
