Rugby

Stormers must stay grounded to end the year on a high

Lock Marvin Orie is protecting his Stormers teammates grounded as they brace for a remaining dwelling derby of the year in opposition to the Lions on Saturday.

The Stormers will host the Lions in a cracking United Rugby Championship derby on New Year’s Eve at Cape Town Stadium.

The defending URC champions are high on confidence after a bonus-point win in opposition to their arch rivals, the Bulls, final Saturday in Cape Town, however Orie is just not letting himself or his teammates get carried away.

ALSO READ: Stormers vs Bulls recap — Moment of the Match

“Our set piece went really well against the Bulls,” mentioned the Springbok lock. “The lineouts and scrums had been good. The braveness and vitality that we performed with was actually good.

“I think the Lions will be a different challenge, they are a completely different team.”

Orie is properly acquainted with the Lions. The 29-year-old moved to Johannesburg from Pretoria in 2017 and was a senior member of the pack throughout his four-year stint at Ellis Park.

ALSO READ: Stormers’ second-half blitzkrieg flooring Bulls

He is aware of the Stormers can count on one other stern take a look at of their mettle on their dwelling floor, in entrance of their followers.

“The Lions are known to also play an exciting brand of rugby,” Orie mentioned. “That hasn’t modified lately, even with a lot of personnel modifications in the group.

“They have a lot of recent thrilling younger expertise. There’s a lot of vitality and I feel they may deliver that vitality on Saturday. They appear to have a lot of braveness, in the means they provide the ball air, attempt new issues and specific themselves.

“They have a strong set-piece as well. They have always been known for having a strong scrum and the lineouts will also be a big challenge. I am sure we will be able to match that energy, nullify it and impose ourselves on them.”

Stormers out to end high on a profitable notice

The Stormers are wanting to end 2022 unbeaten at dwelling and are on a sizzling streak in Cape Town that started after the Lions gained at Cape Town Stadium in December 2021.

That recreation, Orie says, offered the group with loads of necessary classes that they carried out as they went on to elevate the title at the end of the season.

“That wasn’t a good experience for anyone involved in the game,” Orie recalled. “It was additionally my first recreation again from being concerned in the nationwide group on the end of year tour. I felt I wasn’t up to commonplace in that match.

“Funnily sufficient, in accordance to the statistics, we dominated most areas. Unfortunately, that doesn’t at all times translate into factors or a win, because it proved in that recreation.

“At that stage of the season, it was good timing to get a lesson and show us all the areas we needed to improve on. It wasn’t a nice experience, but it was needed at the time. I think the Lions will take confidence from that.”

Stormers lock Marvin Orie in opposition to the Lions. Photo: Shaun Roy/BackPagePix.

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