Chiefs acid test for the Stormers
REVENGE: HOME SIDE WERE HAMMERED LAST SEASON
Fleck says this will be his side’s toughest test this term.
The Stormers might be flying high as one of only three unbeaten teams in the Super Rugby competition, but they face their ultimate challenge against the Chiefs at Newlands this weekend.
The Chiefs and the Crusaders are the other unbeaten sides, though the Stormers were hammered by the Chiefs in last year’s quarterfinals at Newlands.
But the Capetonians have come a long way since then but coach Robbie Fleck still believes this will be the toughest challenge they have faced all year.
“This week will be the ultimate test to see how far we have come,” said Fleck.
“We certainly have seen signs of improvement and we have grown as a team.”
The intensity and pace with which they played against the Cheetahs last weekend was a sight to behold.
“It was probably the highest tempo we have faced this year, so it was a good test for us,” said Fleck.
“The Kiwi sides will up the tempo and ask lots of questions of us defensively.”
The only setback they suffered was the concussion of scrumhalf Jano Vermaak. He was replaced by Dewaldt Duvenage, who was also called up in place of his provincial team-mate at the national training camp in Stellenbosch.
Apart from the 10 players already at the camp, six other players were also called up which made Stormers training sessions virtually impossible.
Also present at the Monday and Tuesday field session at the Paul Roos Markötter Stadium were a couple of additional invited Stormers players, who were roped in after a number of others were ruled out of making contact because of various niggles.
They were Cheslin Kolbe (wing/ fullback), Dan Kriel (centre), Ramone Samuels (hooker), JC Janse van Rensburg (loosehead prop), Nizaam Carr and Sikhumbuzo Notshe (both loose forwards).
Only 25 of the invited 41 players were able to participate in the late afternoon training session.
However, all players took part in the various technical sessions and the coaching staff’s tactical discussions.