Dobson admits nerves as Stormers turn it on late to crush Edinburgh in scrappy URC clash

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson admitted his heart rate began to climb when his side trailed 14-12 against Edinburgh on Saturday evening in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

However, three tries after the hour mark at the DHL Stadium saw the home side secure a valuable 33-14 victory to maintain second place on the URC log.

They pulled clear of the spirited Scottish outfit thanks to converted tries by prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos and Deon Fourie, securing a full house of five points. For large periods of the match, however, the Stormers conspired against themselves, failing to take the opportunities they created to put Edinburgh away.

It was an aspect of their game that frustrated Dobson. Nevertheless, he was pleased to come away with five points as the focus now shifts to the European Champions Cup, where they will face Toulon in France on Saturday.

Dobson said they do not necessarily want to be known as a box-kicking team, but it was a case of horses for courses against Edinburgh. He also highlighted their conversion rate as an area that needs improvement.

“If we had gone up 14-0 when we were really dominant, it could’ve been a really different game,” Dobson said.

He was referring to an interception that allowed Edinburgh to almost run the length of the field to score and draw level at 7-all instead.

“Our execution was really poor, and the message around halftime was that we had to be better with our discipline. The yellow card (to Mchunu) was completely unnecessary. Those were probably the two moments (the intercept and yellow) that made the score level at the break.

“Once you get a yellow card, you play differently, and you don’t run. You take the maul; you kick long and waste time. It took 10 minutes out of our game, and then we also made the mistake.”

According to captain Nel, their tactics were spot on, but the small moments and errors proved frustrating.

He said they did all the hard work to get into good positions on the field, only for someone to take an unnecessary option that was not on.

“Thuks (Mchunu) was still off the field, and then we took a quick tap after winning a penalty. It is stuff like that that is really frustrating. You try to manage the time (of the yellow) as best as possible.

“They are also applying pressure on us, and it gets under our skin. I felt we could be better. It has been a trend in our last couple of games where we get into the right areas of the field, but then give teams an easy exit. They are not necessarily working for the exit; it is we who are making the wrong decision on attack.

“That was the general feel. After they scored, and we had a hard conversation under the poles, there was real intent behind our carries and cleans. We carried some form of desperation, and from then on, it was easy to open them up once we got in behind them.

“There was nothing wrong with the plan.”