Given the conditions, Stormers head coach John Dobson is “happy” with his team’s performance in Friday night’s United Rugby Championship 16-16 tie against the Ospreys in Swansea.
It poured heavily at Swansea.com Stadium, and the severe rain persisted until the conclusion of the Round Five match.
In the final 10 minutes, the defending champions led 16-9, but a try in the 76th minute and a superb conversion by Stephen Myler tied the game.
Although the Stormers were unable to secure their 15th successive victory, they stay unbeaten with the tie.
Dobson stated after the game that while he felt they could have handled the game better in the final phases, he was pleased with their performance in difficult conditions.
Dobson stated, “We haven’t seen weather like these in the tournament, and we were fortunate to have a string of home games in February and March.”
“This will make us stronger, and I believe we could have won with a bit of improved game management in the final minutes. I believed we performed well under the conditions until the last minutes.
“I believed we were quite competent tactically until the final 10 minutes. We possessed a vast domain.
Given the conditions, I believe it was one of our better efforts tonight. It was good to see that we scored one of our signature tries.
“We’re pleased. I believe we’re playing with enthusiasm and perhaps falling short in a few areas, including as the lineout.”
The coach of the Stormers was particularly impressed with Manie Libbok’s play.
For a perfect night from the tee, Libbok kicked a conversion and three penalties, and when he attempted a drop goal late in the game, he hooked it to the right.
Dobson stated, “I thought he almost escaped at the end, which would have won the game for us.” Should he have taken the risk? I have no idea, but he is unique.”
Next Saturday (kickoff at 8.35pm), the Stormers will play Cardiff in the penultimate match of their foreign tour.