Stormers will give it full crack against Toulon, says coach John Dobson

With their eyes firmly on the biggest prize in world club rugby, the Stormers will give it a full crack when they face French powerhouse Toulon in a Champions Cup last-16 showdown on Saturday, says coach John Dobson.

The Cape side is expecting a titanic battle all over the park against a tenacious Toulon side who have a dominant pack and fast backs at Stade Mayol in France (kickoff 4pm).

“It is a really good Toulon team with a strong scrum, and they’re very fast,” said Dobson. “We want to respect this competition and we want to go as far as we can. No South African team has made a semifinal, so that’s something we’re very aware of.

“Toulon caught us when we played them before, with just how quick they are across the park. They win every scrum battle. They are highly ranked in France, and we’re going to have to spin and win.

“I don’t think we’re going to grind it out against that size pack. But what an experience for us. It’ll be a part of our growth. We’ll give it a full go — a full, full crack.

“Our set-piece will be crucial against Toulon. The Stormers pride ourselves on our scrum, but they’re one of the best in France. Toulon win every scrum battle. I think they’re No 2 in France. We are going to have to spin and win.”

Dobson said his team lacked patience when they beat Edinburgh 33-14 on Saturday.

“There is a lack of patience within the team. We talk about our 22m entries a lot, but we have to find solutions for that. Instead of throwing a skip pass and ending up tied 7-all rather than 14-0 ahead [after an intercept try], we could have looked for the pick-and-go with the forwards at that stage.

“From our first five entries, we scored zero points. It is something we must fix.

“I am pleased with the victory. However, we don’t really enjoy playing at this time [7pm] against northern hemisphere opposition in Cape Town.

“We get a lot of criticism but we are second on the log and reasonably well-positioned, although we are also doing plenty wrong.

“It was a bit frustrating not to have had a bigger lead at halftime, especially with the intercept, but towards the end we were well on top. It is very much a job done for me.”

Stormers captain Ruhan Nel said: “I spoke to the referees downstairs after the Edinburgh game, and they said it’s quite an experience to play Toulon.

“Even playing them in Gqeberha a couple of years ago, just to face a French team of that magnitude was a special occasion for us. To have them now on their home field in front of their home crowd is going to be something special.”

“We’re in a very good position in terms of our front-row depth, which is coming along nicely, and we are seeing some good results.”

—  Rito Hlungwani, Stormers assistant coach

Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani said: “Look, Toulon are a very good team despite their recent results.

“They’ve got quality players all over — internationals, strong scrummagers — so we’re expecting a really tough game. There’s definitely no complacency from our side. It’s another game we want to win. We want to give it our best shot, like we have the past few weeks.

“They have some very good players like England prop Kyle Sinckler, who is a very strong scrummager, and England flank Lewis Ludlam. We also know lock Dave Ribbans quite well, as he came through our system.

“We’re in a very good position in terms of our front-row depth, which is coming along nicely, and we are seeing some good results.”

The Herald