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Fleck: We can learn from 2015

Cape Town - The last time the Stormers met the Brumbies at Newlands, it was not a good day for the Capetonians. 

Having topped the South African conference, the Stormers hosted the Australians in what was effectively the tournament quarter-final on June 20. 

Allister Coetzee's charges were completely outplayed and lost 19-39 as the curtain came down on his time at Newlands. 

The Stormers have a chance to put things right when they host the Brumbies this Saturday, but new coach Robbie Fleck says his side will not use last year's play-off defeat as motivation.

"It’s a new team and they’ve also got a new side. Whatever happened last year happened," Fleck said this week.

Instead, said Fleck, the Stormers should look to learn from that defeat. 

He has identified three areas - the breakdown, the set-pieces and his side's exits - where he expects the Brumbies to be particularly dangerous.

"It’s the breakdown – (David) Pocock, (Scott) Fardy and Stephen Moore - they’re going to put us under massive pressure there," said Fleck.

"We can learn from the quarter-final in that regard. Their contesting lineout was outstanding in that quarter-final, their kicking game was outstanding with Mogg and Nic White. They had us under intense pressure."

Fleck was pleased with his side's lineout in their 18-13 loss to the Sharks this past weekend, but he expected more at scrum time against the Brumbies.

"It starts with the set piece. I felt that the lineout (against the Sharks) was pretty good," he said.

"Our scrummaging wasn’t where it should be … that’s not our standard and that’s something we certainly need to rectify before the Brumbies.

"Their (Brumbies) set-piece is exceptionally good and for the last two seasons now they’ve probably scored the most tries from lineouts and they’re showing the way forward again."

Fleck is expected to name his side for the match, which kicks off at 19:15, on Thursday.

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