Stormers ‘no slouchers’
Lions defence coach Joey Mongalo leapt to the defence of the Stormers in the buildup to their Super Rugby clash at Newlands on Saturday.
Mongalo pointed to mitigating circumstances which helped contribute to the 40-3 humbling the Stormers suffered at the hands of the Bulls last Saturday.
“Having heard about them being stuck in traffic and the things that happened to them in the buildup to the game‚ maybe not that surprised‚” said Mongalo in reference to a truck carrying washing powder spilling its load across the N1 thus delaying kick-off by 20 minutes.
He has no doubt the Stormers will be desperate to atone this week.
“You
Africans know how react to tough South times. We love bouncing back.
“They will play with enthusiasm in those first 20 minutes in front of their homeground‚” said Mongalo.
Fellow assistant coach Neil de Bruin concurred that the home side will be burning to do better.
“Whenever you play against the Stormers in Cape Town they will be up for it. They’re a proud bunch‚ a proud union.”
The Lions‚ however‚ prefer to gaze inward and Mongalo was particularly pleased with the team’s defensive performance in their 25-16 win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
“Asked to make 200 tackles and to complete that at 93% was very rewarding‚” said Mongalo.
De Bruin agrees the win in Buenos Aires has emboldened the Lions.
“It gives us a he said. bit of confidence‚”