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'An expensive day' - Stormers count cost of Italian job
By Warren Fortune
The Stormers are counting the cost of their victory over Benetton in Stellenbosch on Friday.
The Capetonians scored six tries on their way to a 38-22 victory in the final round of the United Rugby Championship.
The Stormers, who secured third spot in the table, will have two weeks to prepare for their home quarterfinal, but injuries will be a big concern.
Lock Ruben van Heerden and his replacement Ernst van Rhyn both left the field in the first half.
Wing Seabelo Senatla left the field on a medical cart in the second half after coming off second-best in a high ball collision.
Stormers head coach John Dobson also revealed that wing Suleiman Hartzenberg picked up an injury in Western Province’s Currie Cup clash against the Pumas earlier on Friday.
“It was an expensive day for us,” Dobson told reporters after the match.
“Benetton are a tough team, but to lose two locks in one half…I suppose any knee injury is serious.
“Suleiman looked like he suffered a really serious injury in the Currie Cup game. It was a very pricey day.
“Senatla is off to the hospital where they will keep him overnight. It is a concussion and he could be out for two weeks.
On Van Heerden and Van Rhyn, Dobson added: “They haven’t been scanned yet, but it is knee injuries. Luckily we had cover and BJ [Ben-Jason Dixon] did brilliantly, but it was expensive.”
The good news for the Stormers is that Adre Smith will be back on the training field, but he might not have enough time to get fit for the play-offs.
“Adre trains this week, but he will play Currie Cup in the week of the quarterfinal,” said Dobson.
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I still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
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