Stormers hunting 80-minute performance against Edinburgh
STORMERS head coach John Dobson says an 80-minute performance will be needed in their United Rugby Championship match against Edinburgh today.
It is something that’s been lacking in the Cape side’s first two games in the European competition, with strong starts turning into disappointing results.
Against Benetton in Round One, the Stormers squandered an early second-half 11-point lead – to lose the game 22-18. Against Munster last week, the Stormers went down 34-18, after a superb opening-half performance was replaced by a second-half slump.
Producing an 80-minute performance is something that has been an issue for Dobson’s side at times in recent years and, while it’s still early days, the team will want to hit their stride as soon as possible.
“We have shown glimpses of what we are capable of already on this tour, and the challenge now is to sustain that intensity throughout the match.
“It has been another week of hard work and we are excited to see what this team can do out there on Saturday,” he said.
Centre Juan de Jongh will play his 100th game for the Stormers, when they face Edinburgh in Round Three of the United Rugby Championships, at the DAM Health Stadium, today.
The team features six changes from the one that lost 34-18 to Munster last weekend, with five in the back line and one in the pack.
De Jongh will partner Rikus Pretorius in midfield.
The 33-year-old made his Stormers debut in 2010. After recently returning to the Cape, after plying his trade with Wasps in England, the Springbok centre will join the likes of Sita Kolisi, Steven Kitshoff, Schalk Burger, Frans Malherbe, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, and Andries Bekker, in the Stormers’ Centurion club.
The other back line changes see Edwill van der Merwe coming in on the wing, while Tim Swiel and Paul de Wet form a new half-back pairing.
Up front, Ernst van Rhyn comes in at lock, in the only change to the pack, while prop Kwenzo Blose, hooker JJ Kotze, and lock Justin Basson, are all set to make their first appearances of the Stormers’ URC campaign from the bench.
On De Jongh’s 100th appearance, Dobson said: “Juan will be remembered as a legend of Stormers and Western Province rugby. His contribution, since coming back earlier this year, has been invaluable, and I know the team are determined to give him a performance to celebrate on Saturday.”
Today’s clash kicks off at 6.15pm (SA time).
Meanwhile, the Stormers yesterday announced their intention to appeal the eight-week suspension handed to lock Adré Smith following a disciplinary hearing on Thursday.
Smith appeared before a disciplinary committee after he was alleged to have bitten Munster hooker Niall Scannell early in the second half of the United Rugby Championship match at Thomond Park last weekend.
Referee Andrew Brace referred the incident to the TMO, after Munster captain Peter O'Mahoney brought it to his attention, after a tussle on the ground between Scannell and Smith. Neither Brace nor the TMO felt there was enough evidence to take action during the game, however.