Fleck focused on intent - not mistakes

Leolin Zas of South Africa during the 2015 World Rugby u20 Championship semi final match between South Africa and England at the Stadio San Michele, Calvisano, Italy on June 15, 2015 ©Roger Sedres/IMAGE SA/BackpagePix

Leolin Zas of South Africa during the 2015 World Rugby u20 Championship semi final match between South Africa and England at the Stadio San Michele, Calvisano, Italy on June 15, 2015 ©Roger Sedres/IMAGE SA/BackpagePix

Published Feb 1, 2016

Share

Cape Town - “Intent” is one of the buzzwords for the Stormers this year. But talking up a new game plan and paying lip service to their bold, new way of doing things this season is one thing; actually doing it on the field is another.

Firstly, it will take a massive mindset change from the old or “traditional” South African way of doing things. It doesn’t mean that physicality, power and tactical kicking should be neglected, or that they are going to tap the ball and run from their own goal-line. But the Stormers have realised that they have to add a dash of panache to their game if they want to really compete in Super Rugby.

This past Saturday, during a pre-season run-out against the SWD Eagles in George, it seems the intent was already there. The Stormers scored six tries to two in their 45-15 win at Outeniqua Park, with SA Under-20 star Leolin Zas scoring a hat-trick. The other try-scorers for the Stormers were Kurt Coleman, Nizaam Carr and Khanyo Ngcukana.

Coleman converted two of the tries, while Robert du Preez also kicked three conversions.

“We were focused on attack, and the goals we set ourselves we achieved in terms of a good ball-in-hand approach and conditioning wise,” coach Robbie Fleck said on the team’s website on Sunday.

“We left a few tries out there, but we didn’t go for the corner or use our maul. We took 10 quick-taps which showed the intent of the team in their general attacking game.”

What was probably more important for Fleck was to gauge the form of a few players in some key positions. But we will only really see his thinking when he selects the side for to face Argentina’s Jaguares at Newlands on February 13.

According to Fleck, his men made a few mistakes on Saturday, but he is happy enough with what he saw. “I was very pleased with the performance, it was our first game and everything we have been working on came through,” he said.

“So it was a step in the right direction and everyone got a decent amount of game time.

“There is still plenty to work on and there were mistakes, but credit to SWD, they put us under pressure at the breakdown and tested our contact skills. It is never easy to play there and they contributed towards a good game. At this stage I don’t mind mistakes, I just wanted to see intent and we certainly showed that.”

The Eagles scored two tries in the second half, with Gershwin Muller and Christo du Plessis going over for the hosts. Flyhalf Hansie Graaf kicked a conversion, while fullback Leegan Moos slotted a penalty.

The Stormers, who also held their pre-season camp in the Southern Cape, had a defensive session against UCT last week, and they will have a similar session this week.

Their only other friendly will be against the Jaguares, before they take on the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener at Newlands on February 27.

Cape Times

Related Topics: