Glasgow Warriors will be a tough task to beat for the DHL Stormers team this Saturday following the disappointing defeat to Connacht
The question on everyone’s mind at the moment is , can the DHL stormers bounce back this Saturday against log leaders Glasgow Warriors ? The Emotional Stormers team will have to answer that and prove to everyone they do have the big match temperament , mental toughness , resilience and the neccasary firepower to overcome Franco Smith’s outfit for 80minutes. They will also need to try their very best to get 5 maximum points possibly (get a bonus point) out of this clash and go first on the United Rugby Championship log before they embark on their 2-match tour of Wales and Ireland.
It will certainly be a big ask for the home team to pull off a miracle victory like this , but they will need to be switched on for 80minutes and not 65minutes like they did in the Connacht clash. With all that being said , The DHL Stormers will need to dominate 3 Important areas if they are to be successful on Saturday.
The set pieces and maul
The Scrum has been one of the strengths this season for the cape outfit , they will need to use their scrum to dominate the Glasgow pack and either generate front forward ball for the backs to play from or get penalties to build scoreboard pressure. The lineout , in particular the maul is a huge weapon , all south African teams use , but the DHL Stormers forwards love the driving maul which they often use to score tries – this season , so they need to be accurate at lineout time and get that driving maul going forward. This set pieces is thus paramount and must be utilized to great effect.
The kicking game and aerial contest
The kicking from both sides will need to be accurate for poles( goalkicking) as every point will count on the day. The Aerial contest is something the DHL stormers lead the stats in terms of kick receives in the competition , so they will need to kick smartly and try apply pressure in the air , as well as kick to the corners to force Glasgow warriors to turn (tactically make them run backwards) and play in their own half as much as possible. This will be an important facet to win and possibly could determine the outcome of the game.
Defense and transitional play
Defense is something that the DHL Stormers defense coach Norman Laker prides himself on with the donut competition amongst teammates often used to challenge the players and the defensive system. On Saturday big domination tackles need be made , with no space and free margins given to the likes of Sione Tuipolutu , Huw Joines and kyle Steyn. These 3 individuals must be shutdown at source with the rush defense and possibly Deon fourie getting a few turnovers as well at the breakdown.
Saturday’s clash will be a mouthwatering contest and expect it to be like a typical test match with the game going to be decided in the last few minutes by either a try or penalty. The Margins will fine and the team that can handle the pressure the best – will come out victorious. I believe Glasgow will just have to much firepower , drive and belief for this emotional DHL Stormers side and will get the victory. Glasgow Warriors do historically also have a big psychological edge as they have a very good record against the home team beating them in the last 4 matches. All in all it will be a good clash between both sides and rugby will be the winner at the end of the day regardless who wins.
