The Stormers will be heading to their final United Rugby Championship (URC) league game against Cardiff Rugby on Friday with the hope of reacting positively, following their nervy draw on Friday night.
Stormers were awarded a controversial last-gasp penalty try by referee Andrea Piardi, to end their thrilling encounter in a 38-38 draw at the Affidea Stadium, in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Piardi made the big call in the 80th minute following a high tackle and head contact on Stormers wing Leolin Zas from Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak as he tried to force his way over the tryline.
The penalty-try decision meant the Stormers got three points out of the game rather than two, as the Cape Town-based team had accumulated their four-try bonus point.
Had the penalty try not been awarded, the Stormers would also have picked up a second bonus point for not losing by more than seven.
The final result means the Stormers missed an opportunity to end the weekend at the top of the table, which would have given them home advantage throughout the play-offs.
They will now brace themselves for another tricky assignment away to Cardiff, with the time yet to be confirmed. Stormers will, though, as they are still pushing to be in a favourable position ahead of the play-offs, be sweating over veteran forward Deon Fourie, who picked up a serious knee injury on Friday and may see his season end.
“I feel very sorry for Deon Fourie,” said Stormers director of rugby John Dobson after the game.
“That [croc roll] must be removed from the game, and the player [offending] must be removed for the whole match. Deon has damaged the medial ligaments in his knee.
“We will have to learn that no player can survive that. If we don’t take that out, there’s no room for turnovers, and if there are no ball stealers at the breakdown, the game becomes like rugby league,” Dobson added. – Sports Reporter
- The Stormers are preparing for their final URC league game against Cardiff Rugby on Friday.
- They aim to respond positively after a recent nervy draw.
- The previous match ended without a decisive result, causing concern.
- This upcoming game is crucial for their league standing.
- Full details are available in the e-edition of Sunday World.
Stormers were awarded a controversial last-gasp penalty try by referee
Piardi made the big call in the 80th minute following a high tackle and head contact on Stormers wing Leolin Zas from Ulster scrumhalf
Had the penalty try not been awarded, the Stormers would also have picked up a second bonus point for not losing by more than seven.
“I feel very sorry for Deon Fourie,” said Stormers director of rugby John Dobson after the game.
“
“We will have to learn that no player can survive that. If we don’t take that out, there’s no room for turnovers, and if there are no ball stealers at the breakdown, the game becomes like rugby league,” Dobson added. - Sports Reporter
