DHL Stormers Director John Dobson says they were too loose and were beaten by the better team after suffering a surprising defeat at home against Irish outfit Connacht
Connacht put in an outstanding performance on Saturday afternoon to defeat the DHL Stormers 33-24 In front of 14000 fans. It came as a huge surprise , especially given that the Cape outfit have such a good home record at fortress DHL stadium. It was thus only the 2nd home defeat this season , with other defeat coming against the Hollywoodbet Sharks back in January. The Circumstances was really tough during the week with the passing of “father figure” team manager Chippie Solomon and his death definitely played a role with the team being very emotional and moral being low going into the clash.
Speaking to the media after Saturday’s defeat DHL Stormers Director of Rugby made no excuses for the defeat, “I think it was individual errors, and if we don’t make some of those mistakes, we don’t lose the game.” “There was the bounce of a kick, a dropped restart and an intercept. “Those moments cost us , I can’t really talk to the emotion, but I don’t think we can use Chippie and the tough week we had as an excuse for some of those mistakes.” “We were too loose and were beaten by the better team.”
Dobson could not hide his disappointment with the result, which leaves them with a difficult assignment against the Warriors in Cape Town next weekend before they head overseas to take on Ulster and Cardiff ahead of the play-offs.
“To get nothing out of the Connacht game is very disappointing, we now have to win all three remaining games to get where we want to be, but that’s much easier said than done.”“First up is Glasgow and then two 4G pitch matches away against two teams competing for the top eight.“The Stormers were loose throughout the game against Connacht. There were a couple of patches in the first half that we spoke about where we shuffled it around.
Looking ahead to this week , it will be the funeral on Tuesday of team manager Chippie Solomon and the team will most likely lose one day of training for the important Glasgow Warriors clash. The Glasgow Warrior clash will be 1st vs 2nd on the log and If the Cape Outfit get the win , they will not only be 1st on the log but it will also be the first victory over Franco Smith’s team. The DHL Stormers last tasted victory over Glasgow Warriors back In 2022 and that was under then coach Danny Wilson.
