Dynamic Hooker Andre Hugo Venter says the DHL Stormers will be desperate for Cardiff Showdown on Friday night
THE Stormers expect a huge battle against Cardiff in Friday’s final United Rugby Championship league fixture, with hooker Andre-Hugo Venter insisting the Cape franchise will match the Welsh outfit’s desperation despite already securing a home quarter-final.Cardiff remain in the hunt for a playoff place heading into the final round, while the DHL Stormers have already guaranteed a top-eight finish. Venter said there was no danger of complacency creeping into the visitors’ camp after last week’s frustrating draw against Ulster in Belfast.
“The look-in after the match, it feels like a loss. I think our desperation is going to be right up there with them.”
The DHL Stormers produced some great attacking rugby in Belfast, but were left frustrated after allowing Ulster back into the contest through a series of costly lapses in concentration.Venter said the squad had already identified those shortcomings during review sessions ahead of another demanding assignment on a 4G pitch in Wales.He explained: “I think for us going into this weekend is the discipline and the decision-making and basically not playing against ourselves in some scenarios.”
The forward admitted the Stormers were punished heavily whenever they briefly switched off against Ulster, pointing to an attack after a quick tap penalty from deep inside the Irish span’s own territory that nearly resulted in a decisive try.Venter added: “Earlier in the game from a scrum they also took a tap quickly and we were a bit switched off. Looking back at the game, that was definitely their plan, trying to catch us off guard.”
The Stormers now expect Cardiff to target similar weaknesses.Venter said: “I think for us going into the weekend, it’s understanding what opposition see that we might have done wrong over the past few weekends and that’s something they’ll try and exploit. The match will take place on friday night and the cape franchise will aim to end 1st on the log going into the playoffs with a home quarter final already booked after the 38 all draw last week to Ulster.
