Erasmus not satisfied
Stormers Coach Rassie Erasmus has voiced his concerns following a disappointing second-half from his team in their 20-10 Super 14 victory over the Brumbies at Newlands on Saturday.
Stormers Coach Rassie Erasmus has voiced his concerns following a disappointing second-half from his team in their 20-10 Super 14 victory over the Brumbies at Newlands on Saturday.
With the Stormers facing fellow semi-final hopefuls the Waratahs in Cape Town on Saturday on Saturday Erasmus knows his team will have to raise their game as a similar second-half slump will cost them dearly against the in-from Australian side.
In front of a packed Newlands stadium, the Stormers were outstanding in the first-half, when they played with freedom and flair and created a number of try-scoring opportunities. In the second-half, however, the wheels came off and it was only stubborn defence that kept the resurgent Brumbies at bay.
“It was a terrible second half,” Erasmus told the Stormers website.
“The effort wasn't good enough, and the tactics weren't good enough. Every player knows this, and we need to move forward from here. There's plenty of work to do in the next week.
“The scrum was disrupted and credit to the Brumbies. It's an area we didn't get right as far as channelling is concerned, and we'll look at that ahead of the Waratahs game.”
The coach, however, also pointed out positives in the win against a team who have been the Stormers' Nemesis over the years.
“I was very happy with the first half,” he said. “You have to be happy with the result considering we haven't beaten the Brumbies in 10 years.
“They also picked up some momentum in recent weeks, and we always knew it was going to be a tough one.”
Bonus points could yet prove decisive in determining the four teams in the play-offs. The Stormers also failed to get a bonus point for four tries against the Highlanders last week, but Erasmus didn't sound overly concerned about the lack of bonus points.
“We can't let the bonus point influence the way we play. Our aim is to win the next two games. If we get the bonus point, then that's great, but our first goal is to win.
“It's been quite a week for us. Losing Schalk Burger was a big blow and then we had a few new faces in the team (Pieter Myburgh and Wylie Human). Making seven changes was always going to affect our rhythm.”
The fact that people are now complaining about a lack of bonus points is indicative of the Stormers progress under Erasmus. The past two seasons have been abysmal and in Erasmus' first season as coach they are in the running for a semi-final spot.
“The criticism [over the lack of bonus points] does seem unfair at times, but it goes to show what a passion the people in Cape Town have for the Stormers,” Erasmus said.
“It is something to be talking about this now. I think if you'd offered me sixth place at the beginning of the season I'd have been happy.”
The Stormers conclude the league phase of the competition a week after facing the Waratahs with a game in Johannesburg against the Lions. Currently fourth on the points' table, victory in the last two games would ensure the Stormers a semi-final berth.
Fortunately the Stormers, who been heavily hit by injuries over the last three weeks, came out of the clash with the Brumbies relatively unscathed. There are a few niggles, said team management, but nothing to be too concerned about.