STORMERS COACH JOHN Dobson believes the leaked video of his facet celebrating Munster’s win over Leinster could add to the extent of niggle in at present’s ultimate at Cape City Stadium.
It’s been two weeks because the Stormers and Munster certified for the URC ultimate. Following the second semi-final in Dublin, a video exhibiting the Stormers’ celebrations – and hooker Joseph Dweba shouting “We’re gonna fuck them up!” – was posted to social media.
On the day earlier than the ultimate, each head coaches have been requested whether or not Munster would take any additional motivation from what Dweba stated.
Munster boss Graham Rowntree performed down the incident. “It’s only a group celebrating getting a house ultimate,” he stated.
Dobson was extra upset by the truth that the video – which was captured at a personal perform – had been leaked.
“I’m disenchanted that the video bought out, and we most likely let Joseph down there. It was by no means a case of us celebrating in opposition to Munster . . . it was a case of us celebrating enjoying a ultimate at residence. It was by no means a slight in opposition to Munster.
“We’ve by no means crushed Munster,” Dobson continued. “They gave us a hiding in Limerick [in the first URC season] after which beat us right here this previous April.
“I heard that 5,000 individuals are flying over from Eire to look at Munster this weekend. That’s good. I don’t assume you’d get that in [the old version of] Tremendous Rugby. That’s correct.”
However, tempers may flare on the pitch this Saturday.
“There might be a component of that . . . of them attempting to get beneath our pores and skin,” stated Dobson. “Self-discipline goes to be so necessary. There’s at all times going to be niggle in a recreation like this, and the video [of Dweba and co celebrating] gained’t assist. If we react to that niggle, it is going to be rugby suicide tomorrow.”
Munster captain Peter O’Mahony praised the travelling followers for coming via to South Africa and providing their assist.
“It’s broken-record stuff, however we’ve been taken again by the turnout of supporters,” the Eire flanker stated.
“It’s a protracted technique to come, however it seems like each time we flip the nook, we stumble upon somebody from Cork or Limerick. We’re spoiled with the extent of assist we’ve skilled.”
The house facet will get pleasure from nearly all of the assist within the 55,000-seater stadium on Saturday.
“We’re determined to win tomorrow,” stated Dobson. “It could really feel actually hole to say we achieved our purpose to qualify for the ultimate and to get town of Cape City smiling, after which we fall quick [of winning it].
“We don’t need to let these folks down. You possibly can see what it means to them, while you stroll across the metropolis and see everybody of their blue jerseys.”
Solely 30,000 followers attended final season’s ultimate between the Stormers and Bulls at Cape City Stadium attributable to Covid-19 restrictions. The decider between the Stormers and Munster will play out in entrance of capability crowd.
“I took umbrage after I heard somebody say that the tickets have been offered for €3 every simply to make sure the stadium was stuffed,” Dobson stated. “I’m telling you, they may have offered the tickets for R1000 every [almost €50] and you’ll have offered the stadium out 5 instances over – however then the [demographics] of the stadium would have been very completely different.”
