The Stormers were left counting the injury cost of their 52-40 United Rugby Championship (URC) victory over the Scarlets on Saturday, with director of rugby John Dobson admitting that losing all three hookers during the match had created a crisis for the Cape side.
Despite securing a bonus-point victory at DHL Stadium, the home team faced an extraordinary challenge after losing all their specialist hookers, leaving them without the set-piece options they depend on for control.
Dobson had prepared contingency plans for losing two hookers, but never imagined a scenario in which all three would be unavailable during the clash. But that is exactly what happened when André-Hugo Venter, veteran Deon Fourie and youngster Lukhanyo Vokozela picked up injuries.
Stormers forced into contingency plans
“I'm trying to avoid you quoting me as saying there’s a crisis, but it’s hard to walk past it, isn't it? I do agree with you about the word ‘bizarre’ – it was absolutely bizarre,” Dobson said about the injuries.
“That's why I give enormous credit to this guy (captain Paul de Villiers) and his team for keeping their heads. What is it? If you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs, including in the coaches’ boxes.
“I was really pleased with myself because I had a really good contingency sheet for what would happen if we lost both hookers, but I never thought about losing three, you know what I mean? Deon was the third, so to lose three hookers takes away all our set-piece options. There is a crisis.
“But credit to them for the way they closed that game out.”
Dobson provided more clarity on the injured players, saying their smart mouthguards went off like a pinball machine, pinging away.
According to him, eighthman Hacjivah Dayimani will definitely be unavailable for their next match against Ulster. Vokozela must undergo a second head injury assessment (HIA) before being cleared, but scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and winger Seabelo Senatla passed their HIA tests. Venter, he said, appeared to have suffered a relatively serious elbow injury, while Fourie hurt his hamstring.
“It was not a great day for us in terms of injuries.”
Should Vokozela pass his HIA 2 test, he will be in line to play alongside Vernon Paulo. However, if Vokozela is ruled out, Dobson said they might have to look at bringing in a short-term replacement. The Stormers’ other hooker, JJ Kotzé, is still suspended following a high tackle.
Dobson unhappy with defensive lapse
Dobson also lamented his side’s poor defence but gave the Scarlets credit for the way they fought with their style of rugby.
“Halftime there wasn’t much hope for them,” the Stormers mentor added, after his side led 33-14 at the break.
“But the way they played deserved credit. You could see they were getting hope after the break. We weren’t direct enough and a couple of years ago we would’ve lost that. I don’t want us to be a team that becomes a bit too loose because we think we might not be playing one of the best sides in the URC or it is not a local derby.
“We got a bit like that today and we must nip it in the bud.”