Slow start frustrates Coetzee

Editor

Stormers boss Allister Coetzee bemoaned the slow start his side made to their 36-20 Super Rugby defeat to the Chiefs on Friday.

Stormers boss Allister Coetzee bemoaned the slow start his side made to their 36-20 Super Rugby defeat to the Chiefs on Friday.

The men from Cape Town trailed 24-6 early in the second half before clawing their way back to a four-point deficit.

A brace of late tries from the hosts in Hamilton settled the issue, however, and left Coetzee deflated after the Stormers' third loss in four games.

“It's another disappointing loss for us,” admitted Coetzee.

“We started off badly, but credit to the Chiefs. They attacked us (out) wide and we felt the pressure there and came out of our line a few times, which proved to be costly.

“Last week the Crusaders attacked us from close-range, but the Chiefs found the necessary space out wide in this game.

“They're not the double defending champions for nothing, you know,” added Coetzee.

“We had a much better second half and we came back nicely into the game. There was a belief in the team at that stage but the Chiefs closed the game off well and punished us at the end (for our mistakes).

“We've had a tough tour of New Zealand against two quality teams – the Crusaders and the Chiefs. We will now close the chapter on the New Zealand leg of our tour and are looking ahead to our remaining games in Australia. We're beaten, but unbowed.

“The one big positive is that we have eight days until our next game (against the Brumbies), so we will lick our wounds and get up for that game.”