The Stormers will not be deviating from their high-risk, high-reward game-plan when they tackle eight-time champions Leinster in a United Rugby Championships clash at the DHL Stadium on Saturday.
Coach John Dobson admitted in the immediate aftermath of Saturday night’s defeat that the Stormers were guilty of taking too many risks with offloads and counter-attacks from their 22.
However, after the Stormers properly dissected their performance, assistant coach Norman Laker said they definitely won’t throw their gameplan out the window against Leinster.
“Look, we have spoken about it. That’s who we are,” Laker said.
“It’s what makes us different from the other teams. If we take it away from the guys then we are the same as any other team.
“Our option-taking with the offloads was maybe not at the right time, but we definitely aren’t going to go into our shells and be a team that we aren’t.”
Focusing on his department, Laker said that he wants the Stormers to show a lot more vigour on defence against Leinster, something he felt was sorely lacking against Ospreys.
“One thing that we spoke about, that I wasn’t happy about, was our intensity on defence. Normally we are a well-oiled defensive unit, but we came up in drips and drabs,” Laker said.
“In this competition, you can’t underestimate any team. Last season, Leinster played Zebre in the first game and Zebre nearly upset Leinster. It ended 33-29 to Leinster. So you can’t underestimate any team. Our intensity just wasn’t there on defence.”
Leinster, coached by Laker’s mentor Jacques Nienaber, are also looking to bounce back after their youthful team suffered a heavy defeat against the Lions in Johannesburg.
“Any Leinster team that we play against is a quality outfit,” Laker said. “I know Jacques quite well, I learned a lot from him as he was in the Stormers system when I came through. I know they will be very competitive.
“They are taking the loss quite badly. They will bounce back on Saturday, and it will be the same with us.”
