Lineout blues leave Stormers frustrated as unbeaten URC start ends against Edinburgh

The breakdown of their lineout was costly and, without Springbok No 2 André-Hugo Venter, they struggled to launch any platform from there. The few times they did get their lineout to function, it resulted in some strong rolling mauls.

Director of rugby John Dobson said they can’t look too much past their lineout woes for the loss. The Stormers’ winless streak in Scotland continued and it also brought their unbeaten start to an end in this season’s competition.

“We don’t have to look too much beyond probably our performance in the lineout,” Dobson said about the loss against a youthful and spirited home team.

“Our performance was probably summed up by the final lost lineout.”

The Stormers had one final attack in Edinburgh’s half and had a lineout close to their try line. However, Paulo could again not find his jumpers and, when the ball was knocked back towards the hooker, he could not secure possession from which they could launch another attack. Eventually, they conceded the ball and the home side kicked it over the touchline to end the game.

“We lost about 11 lineouts and you can’t win a game if your plan is, in those conditions, based around the maul and then you are giving up possession. That was devastating with the wind and into the wind.

“I think if we lost half of those lineouts, we probably (still) would have seen the game through. So yeah, it was very disappointing given our plan for the game.

“The loss of André-Hugo was a big, big one. Not just lineout-wise, but he’s one of our best players. It was frustrating that he was not allowed to re-enter the field (after receiving treatment for his head knock), but that is the protocol, so we have to respect it.”