Stormers head coach John Dobson revealed he expected Connacht to dominate possession and said he did not think his team would lose even when the scores were tight at the back end of the game.
Dobson’s side secured their second consecutive grand final in the United Rugby Championship after beating Connacht 43-25 in front of another record crowd in Cape Town.
What made matters even more inviting for the Capetonians was Munster’s triumph over Leinster, which means the Stormers will get a chance to defend their title at home.
In the semi-final it was Connacht who made the better start before Manie Libbok set the game alight several times to take the lead at the break.
The visitors fought their way back into striking distance in the second period but the champions turned on the style late on to power away and book their spot in the final.
Always expected high possession for Connacht
Dobson claims that he always thought his team would come through the Connacht pressure whilst also anticipating a high-possession performance from the Irish side.
“I didn’t think – maybe with 15 minutes left when they got within four points – that we were gonna lose it. The plan was working.” Dobson said.
“I would’ve loved us to have more territory, but these Irish teams are high-possession teams and it’s hard to get the ball off them at breakdowns.
“But I don’t think they could kick distance against us, you saw what happened when we scored the tries. And their contestable I didn’t think… So they could not really kick. So we knew they were (going to be) high-possession.
“We were a bit loose with the ball as well and turned possession over.”
Backing up last season’s glory
Dobson has built a winning formula in Cape Town and the side deservedly has the chance to compete for another title, which was important to the coach and his team.
The Stormers wanted to prove this season that their run into the URC I title was no “fluke” but a product of the team’s quality and culture. The outcome of the season has already proved that with a chance to go back-to-back.
“Our big fear was that we couldn’t prove that we belong and our win was not a fluke. If you said we were going to the final this season – we lost a few players – it’s an incredible feeling for us.
“The only reason we would want to play the game (final) in Cape Town, is for the people. But us going to the Aviva (in Dublin) will be a great experience for the growth of this group and we will put up a good performance.
“It’s incredibly special because, and this might be silly, but we will be the only team to have played two finals. It will probably change next year.”
Munster will make the trip down to Cape Town face the Stormers in the grand final on May 27 with the winner set to be crowned the champions of URC II
READ MORE: Stormers player ratings: Angelo Davids and Manie Libbok sparkle in a champions performance
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