The Stormers are playing for a home play-off spot and to honour the memory of the late Chippie Solomon. But with a "dangerous" Connacht side arriving in Cape Town on a five-match winning streak, John Dobson’s men know they can't afford a single slip-up. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
The Stormers will need to put the emotion aside of losing long-serving manager Chippie Solomon in this weekend’s crunch United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Connacht at DHL Stadium.
John Dobson’s team have been visibly shaken by Solomons’ death last week, and while they will be using it as motivation, the focus cannot be shifted away from their pursuit of a home play-off spot. The Stormers are currently in second place on the URC table — four points adrift of table-toppers Glasgow Warriors — with three matches remaining before the knockout stages.
And while Connacht may be in a lowly ninth position, Dobson is fully aware that his charges cannot let their guard down on Saturday (1.45pm kick-off).
“It's a hell of an important game. Obviously, it's crucial in the context of the season. We're five points behind the top of the log. We're playing them (Glasgow Warriors) next weekend.
“Putting the emotion of Chippie aside, it is significant in terms of the actual season and where we're going. It's a desperate Connacht team, who really are a serious team who've been on a bit of a winning run. It's not just another 'gimme' home game .... Like I said, they're desperate as well."
“Desperate teams are sometimes very dangerous," Dobson added. "They’ve put us under pressure before. So, yeah, definitely not taking it lightly.”
Connacht have been the form side of the competition of late, winning five consecutive matches including a victory over table-topping Glasgow Warriors, and will certainly pose a threat to the Stormers.
The Irish team’s attack has been a feature of their success, with head coach Stuart Lancaster making a significant difference.
“Their attacking shape of second or third phase, it's an impressive attack,” said Dobson. “It's a really good attack. We remember the game last year (a hard-fought 34-29 win in April in Cape Town). Pete Wilkins is there and Stuart Lancaster has kept the same element of attack, just deepened his squad a bit.
“I think what happens in Galway, is that it's very windy and they play a lot of ball-in-hand rugby. So, they've got a really good attack and I think Stuart's done a very good job in building depth, which is something they wouldn't always have.
“So, it's a difficult game for us. We mustn't think of Connacht of the name, because it's not one of the top. We think of Munster. It's a very, very good team. It's going to be a hell of a game,” Dobson concluded.