Assistant coach Norman Laker is confident that the DHL Stormers can match the physical threat of champions La Rochelle when the teams lock horns in Cape Town on Saturday.
Led by France No 8 Gregory Aldritt and coached by Ronan O’Gara, La Rochelle are set to put the Stormers through the pressures of a Test match in a crunch Champions Cup playoff at Cape Town Stadium.
Emphasising the Stormers’ own formidable physical presence during a media conference on Tuesday, Laker dismissed any notion of fear. Recalling their resilience in previous matches, he highlighted their ability to dominate even in the late stages of games. “Our guys are physical themselves and get in. We win games in the 75th and 82nd minutes because we’re a physical team,” the defence coach told reporters.“Yes, La Rochelle is a team with big guys. Their inside centre carries the ball well and there are world-class players, but the same applies to us. If I said that Damian Willemse is less physical than his direct opponent, I would be lying to myself. We are also a very physical team.
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