Share

We need to raise our tempo - Fleck

Cape Town - Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck wants his team to lift their tempo and intensity when they face the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.

Following their second defeat of the 2017 Super Rugby campaign, against the Crusaders in Christchurch, the Stormers will be looking to get back to winning ways at the Forsyth-Barr Stadium.

Fleck said that the team had taken some important lessons from the defeat, not least of which that the tempo and intensity of their effort must be taken to the next level.

“Obviously we need to work on a few things from the loss on the weekend," he told the Stormers' official website.

“We had a good discussion as a group and we will take the learnings from the Crusaders game and move on.

“The key learning from our side is that we haven’t faced line speed like the Crusaders presented, where they really got off the line and put us under immense pressure.

“You need to be strong set-piece wise playing over here, but the key for us is to match that intensity and that tempo that the Kiwi sides play at.”

The Stormers coach knows it will not be easy against a quality Highlanders side playing on home turf, but says that his team will give it everything in an effort to lift their game.

“The Highlanders are a team that like to move the ball around and play an attacking sort of game," added Fleck.

"They have got a lot of All Blacks so they are a very dangerous side, especially when they are playing in Dunedin.

“There are a lot of young kids in the squad who have never toured New Zealand and it is a fantastic opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world in one of the toughest environments.

“We are going to keep pushing from our side, we are trying to play with a high intensity."

The Stormers were boosted this week by the availability of fullback SP Marais who has recovered from a groin injury and captain Siya Kolisi who was rested last week due to the Springbok management plan.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1122 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1292 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1988 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE