The Stormers may have surrendered top spot in the United Rugby Championship, but inside the Cape camp there is no panic, only frustration, honest reflection, and a growing belief that a few quick fixes could still put the Mother City side back in title-winning territory.
There was relief after rescuing a dramatic 38-all draw against Ulster Rugby in the closing moments, but there was also clear frustration, because inside the Cape camp there was a strong belief that the match should have delivered five points, not three.
The result was enough to keep the Stormers firmly in the hunt for a top playoff finish, but not enough to keep them at the summit of the United Rugby Championship standings.
The Cape side moved to fifty-nine points, only to watch Glasgow Warriors climb to the top of the table on sixty points after their convincing victory over Cardiff.
For Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, the draw was not about luck, officiating, or excuses.
It was about missed opportunities.
“It is probably a mixture of frustration because I thought at times our dominance was pretty imperious,” Dobson said after the match.
“But in the end, we are probably lucky to get the three.”
The Stormers salvaged the draw in dramatic fashion after referee Andrea Piardi awarded a late penalty try following a shoulder-to-head collision involving Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak and Stormers winger Leolin Zas.
The late intervention secured valuable points, but Dobson identified several critical moments where the Stormers failed to turn pressure into points.
“There were four clear moments,” Dobson said.
“The two pick-and-go penalties we conceded, Evan Roos’ knock-on over the tryline, and another lost attacking opportunity. Those are big moments in tight games.”
Dobson was particularly frustrated by his side’s discipline and contestable kicking game in difficult weather conditions.
“I think the most disappointing thing was our contestable kicking game,” he said.
“We have worked very hard to become good at that, and we lost one or two of those contests.”
Despite the frustrations, the Stormers have already secured a home quarter-final, giving the Cape side breathing room as they prepare for their final league clash against Cardiff Rugby this Friday.
For Dobson, the message is clear.
Fix the small details now, and the Stormers could still head into the playoffs as one of the competition’s most dangerous teams.
Source: Rugby365 – Leezil Hendricks.
