Losing Stormers take confidence from fightback

STORMERS coach Robbie Fleck is not panicking despite his team’s 45-28 loss to the Crusaders at the weekend while also suffering more injury bad news before meeting the Highlanders on Friday.

Lock JD Schickerling appears to have a torn bicep that will keep him out for at least 12 weeks‚ which has just about ended his season.

They are already thin in the lock department with Eben Etzebeth not expected back for two months.

It was the Stormers’ second defeat on tour after losing 34-27 to the Waratahs the previous week.

They face a huge challenge to turn their season around in Dunedin against the 2015 Super Rugby champions.

Fellow second rower Pieter-Steph du Tout‚ who was knocked out late in the first half against the Crusaders‚ has passed his concussion protocols but the management are monitoring his fitness.

Former SA Schools captain Salmaan Moerat is flying to New Zealand as a replacement for Schickerling.

“It’s a huge loss to lose JD‚” Fleck said.

“He was outstanding again at the weekend against three All Black locks. His work rate and brutality have been exceptional.”

In terms of the result‚ which saw the Stormers slump to their 12th consecutive away loss to the Crusaders‚ Fleck remained positive.

The Stormers conceded four tries in the opening 20 minutes to fall 26-0 behind‚ but showed good composure and character to fight back.

“We clawed our way back to 31-21 after such a bad start‚” Fleck said.

“The score didn’t accurately reflect what happened in that game‚ but despite the result we have taken some confidence from the way we were able to put the Crusaders under pressure.”