Stormers coach John Dobson during a press conference. Photo: Supplied via www.inpho.ie.
Dobson warns Stormers about Munster’s tricks
Stormers coach John Dobson has told his team to avoid getting caught by Munster’s antics during the URC final at DHL Stadium.
Stormers coach John Dobson during a press conference. Photo: Supplied via www.inpho.ie.
Stormers coach John Dobson has told his team to avoid getting caught by Munster’s antics during the United Rugby Championship final at DHL Stadium.
The Stormers are looking for their second title on home soil but will need to end their winless run against the Irish to do so.
Munster showed their class in the win over Leinster in the semi-finals and Dobson is wary of all their threats.
Much has been written about the visitors looking to draw a reaction from the likes of Marvin Orie or Joseph Dweba. Munster captain Peter O’Mahony is a bit of a legend when it comes to the sneaky off the ball tactics.
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Stormers coach Dobson lays down the law
“Look, in that last game, there was some poor behaviour by us. A hand in the face…Marvin or Joe got involved. So there is going to be that element,” said Dobson.
“It’s something we have chatted about as a group. We can’t give away penalties to Munster. I don’t want to say there will be cheap shots, but they will try to get under our skin a bit. We have got guys with trip switches, that’s the truth.
“It’s a heck of an important aspect and something we have spoken about a lot. We do expect natural niggle. Our reaction to things, not just against Munster, we had it against Benetton and Connacht.
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“It would be rugby suicide for us,” Dobson added. “It will be an area with a lot of focus for us.”
A key one-on-one battle to watch on Saturday is Fourie’s likely face-off against Munster captain and seasoned Ireland international, Peter O’Mahony.
“Peter O’Mahony is a fantastic player, he has been playing for Ireland for a long time, he is amazing,” Fourie said.
“I don’t really see him as an out-and-out fetcher; a guy like Jack Morgan from last year, he was quite good, I think he won the [Vodacom URC] award for the most turnovers last year.
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“But, O’Mahony, he’s just a nuisance at every ruck and sometimes he’ll get that poach, but he’s always just there and in your face and disrupting rucks. So that’ll be a nice challenge, trying to contain him.”
Snyman back too for Munster
Furthermore, towering lock RG Snyman presents a familiar foe for the DHL Stormers. A World Cup-winning Springbok, Snyman’s physicality and all-round skills pose a threat that Fourie is eager to neutralise.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever played against RG … he’s a massive human being and his offload and running game is outstanding.
“For us to stop that will be a challenge. What he brings to that Munster side is an element of unpredictability.”
Stormers team to face Munster
DHL Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Willie Engelbrecht, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Paul de Wet, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
