‘It was a big loss’ John Dobson pinpoints ‘gamble’ that ‘backfired’ as reason for Stormers’ ‘big loss’ to Leinster

Leinster’s Jordie Barrett crosses for a try against the Stormers and the Cape Town-based side’s director of rugby John Dobson.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has taken full responsibility for his side’s 36-12 defeat to Leinster in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Dobson named his strongest available team to take on the URC table-toppers in their backyard but his decision to opt for a forwards-heavy six-two split on his replacements bench backfired when they lost the services of star fly-half Manie Libbok to injury.

With scrum-half Herschel Jantjies and centre Wandisile Simelane the only backline replacements, full-back Warrick Gelant was forced to slot in at fly-half with Simelane coming onto the field in Libbok’s place.

Libbok had impressed up to that point as he showed some nice touches on attack and Dobson identified the 2023 Rugby World Cup winner’s departure as a major reason for his side’s downfall.

“You’ve got a world-class flyhalf and you’re 10-7 down away [from home], and he goes off,” Dobson told reporters after the match.

‘It was a big loss’

“I must take responsibility for not having another fly-half on the bench. We went for a 6-2 bench, and that gamble backfired badly for us. It was a big loss.”

When asked on the severity of Libbok’s injury, Dobson replied: “It’s a knee injury… Manie couldn’t run, but I’ve got no clue yet.”

The Stormers also lost the services of second-rower JD Schickerling, who left the field after just 30 minutes with a shoulder injury.

“It’s something to do with his AC joint,” Dobson said. “I don’t know how serious it is.”

It was a tough day at the office for the men from the Cape as they were second best in most departments. The home side had the bulk of possession (60%) and territory (69%), won 13 turnovers compared to the Stormers’ six while they also conceded fewer penalties (13 to the visitors’ 17).

Meanwhile, the Stormers battled in the lineouts as they lost valuable possession on their own throw-ins on several occasions.

Stormers lineout a problem

“Our frustration probably started early on with the lineout, with us losing too many of our own balls. It was the same case in Paris last week (against Racing 92 in the Champions Cup),” added Dobson.

“Once you’re losing lineouts and giving away penalties, they can get through their phase play in the right areas of the field.”

The defeat means the Stormers drop down to 12th position in the URC standings while Leinster are sitting comfortably atop the table after sealing their 10th win in as many matches.

“I thought they were excellent with their breakdown and we were poor in slowing them down. The whole thing cascaded thanks to the pressure they put on us,” said Dobson.

“It’s a lesson for us, how they played with as many players they had in Portugal (with the Irish national team). That they could put on a performance like that is credit to them… putting us under pressure, and the pressure was everywhere.”