CAPE TOWN – Despite winning their three pre-season friendlies comfortably, the DHL Stormers know there is still room for improvement before they face the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom Super Rugby opener at Newlands.
Following victories against the Toyota Cheetahs in Zimbabwe and the South Western Districts Eagles in George, the Stormers wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a nine-try 57-40 win against the Emirates Lions at Newlands on Saturday.
Although pleased with the way his side took the game to the visitors, Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck said that there is still plenty of improvement to be made to their game before they square off with the Vodacom Bulls on February 25.
“There is still lots of room for improvement, we managed to keep the tempo and intensity up which is pleasing. “There is still lots to work on and we have got to sort a few things out before we face the Bulls,” he said.
Fleck added that it was encouraging to see the focus on skills in the pre-season paying off, although there is always room to be more clinical in this regard. “It was important that the stuff we have been working on in the pre-season came through against a quality side like the Lions. “There were some aspects that we weren’t happy with, but overall it was a pleasing performance.
“When the offloads did come off we looked good on attack, but at times we probably pushed it. But that is the direction we are heading in, when it worked it looked good but we can make better decisions.
“That is the direction the team want to go and we will keep pushing the boundaries in that regard. We would rather keep it positive and get high rewards rather than tell the players not to.
“The guys are enjoying their rugby at the moment and that is the most important part. We are building confidence within the camp, the stuff that we worked on in pre-season is beginning to come through.
“There was good hand speed and great support play which led to those tries. When we got in behind the Lions defence we were able to finish off which was pleasing,” he said.