Stormers ‘template’ up to Scotstoun test

Assistant coach Rito Hlungwani and loose forward Marcel Theunissen say the Stormers are ready for whatever Glasgow Warriors “bring to the table” on Friday night.

Hlungwani and Theunissen were addressing the media on Monday in a teleconference from Scotland in the buildup to the Vodacom URC quarter-final showdown at Scotstoun Stadium.

The Stormers lost to the defending champions in Stellenbosch in the league stages this season, and suffered a last-eight defeat against Franco Smith’s Warriors at Scotstoun last term.

But John Dobson’s charges touched down in Glasgow with momentum after securing their fourth straight URC playoff appearance with a big win over Cardiff in round 18.

Hlungwani emphasised the importance of the team’s early arrival strategy while acknowledging the significance of knockout rugby and maintaining faith in a winning formula.

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“[Arriving over the weekend] gives us a full training week, like we would when we’re at home. It really makes a massive difference,” the forwards guru said.

“For us to also travel business class, the fatigue levels are not as high, and coming early gives us a full training week to prepare.

“In the past three or four games, we felt like we’ve played the way we want to play, which is sort of implemented what we call the Stormers template, and we would really want to get better on that, and at the same time be ready for whatever Glasgow will bring to the table.”

The Stormers must navigate the match without the versatile Damian Willemse, suspended for three games following his red card against Cardiff, but Hlungwani remains optimistic about their depth. 

“Obviously it’s unfortunate to lose a player of Damian’s quality [but] like I always say, when there’s an injury or a suspension it’s a nice opportunity for the next person to put their hand up,” he said.

“We’re quite fortunate to have guys that can cover 15 and 12; Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] is very comfortable at 12. He’s played 12 for us quite a number of times.

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“Then Dup [Dan du Plessis] also covers 12 as well. As much as we’re not happy that we’ve lost him [Willemse], we feel we’ve got enough cover.”

Reflecting on last season’s quarter-final loss and the Glasgow challenge, Hlungwani added: “The players are a very balanced side; they compete in the scrum, they’ve got a strong maul, probably one of the best mauls in the URC. 

“They’ve got big backline players who are strike runners, guys who run really hard.”

Theunissen, meanwhile, stressed the need for complete focus across all facets. “You can’t actually focus on one aspect of the game against a team like Glasgow. You must be on your game at every single aspect of the game… in open play, breakdowns, whatever. 

“You can’t be off on a single aspect of the game, you must be on your game whether it’s lineouts, defence or attack.”

On injury concerns in the Stormers camp, Hlungwani noted: “I think probably the only guy that I have in mind would have been [hooker] JJ Kotze. 

“He got injured in the warmup before Cardiff, but he’s someone that’s sort of coming back to full fitness. That’s pretty much about it.”

Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images