John Dobson says he’s optimistic about what lies forward for the DHL Stormers regardless of the frustration of a quarter-final exit in Glasgow on Saturday. DYLAN JACK stories.
The Stormers’ marketing campaign got here to an finish in a 27-10 defeat to Glasgow Warriors on a windy Saturday night time on the Scotstoun Stadium.
Whereas upset with how his group dealt with the situations, Dobson mentioned that the Stormers have proved of their marketing campaign that they belong among the many high groups within the URC.
“I’m happy with the expansion, when it comes to getting expertise, conserving the squad collectively, taking part in an away playoff regardless of the end in these situations,” Dobson mentioned. “The situations have been actually robust tonight, however we confirmed that combat.
“We haven’t been as fluid as have been within the first two seasons. However we have been thirteenth after the [November] tour and we got here again and completed fifth and we have been within the combat right here. So we belong on the high desk of the URC. That’s essential to verify that. We aren’t only a flash within the pan.
“Going to 2 finals after which ending fifth this season proved that we aren’t a flash within the pan. Not many groups might take out Evan Roos, Damian Willemse, Deon Fourie – they’re world-class gamers – and win. We confirmed character taking part in with out them. It offers me hope for this group.
“It’s good. It offers me hope that we are able to get in the direction of having two squads. We’re nonetheless means off that, however we’re quite a bit nearer than we have been initially of the season.”
Seabelo Senatla and Ruhan Nel are every anticipated to make a comeback from long-term damage subsequent season, and the Stormers will even be boosted by the return of veteran forwards Steven Kitshoff and JD Schickerling.
“These are two huge acquisitions,” Dobson mentioned. “We’re mainly conserving this group collectively. Then we’re including JD and Steven. We will even get Deon, Damian and Evan again. Hopefully Seabelo might be again and Ruhan Nel is coming again.
“So we’ll mount a greater marketing campaign. We gained’t tour as poorly as we did this season. I’m very assured concerning the future. I simply would have liked to be in a semi-final. We have been deservedly crushed in the long run.”
Trying on the quarter-final itself, Dobson mentioned he felt the Stormers might have pushed on to win within the ultimate 10 minutes, however couldn’t readjust after a harsh scrum penalty name.
“I’m upset. I’m happy with the hassle, particularly within the first half. At 13-10, I believed we had sufficient in us to shut it out. Only a staggering scrum penalty that I didn’t perceive they usually bought on high of us.
“They have been simpler into the win than we have been. In these situations, it’s worthwhile to be actually good into the wind. We didn’t kick significantly effectively. We additionally didn’t play significantly effectively with the wind.
“You’ll be able to’t fault our bodily effort or our staying within the combat. It doesn’t really feel like a 27-10 recreation, however by that stage we have been chasing it.”
Picture: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix
