Fleck: Coachless teams are dangerous

Stormers backline coach Robbie Fleck believes that it's tough to know what to expect from the Lions following the departure of coach John Mitchell.

The sudden changes at the Lions makes them an unpredictable side for the Stormers to tackle and Fleck is aware of just how much of a threat that could make them.

"It's the first time in my coaching or playing career to be up against a side without a coach," Fleck told this website.

"We don't know really what to expect from the Lions this week, so from our side we need to put the pressure on them and create some doubt in their minds," Fleck told this website.

If the Stormers had been expecting an easy win when they saw the Lions fixture on the calendar, those thoughts were quickly banished when the Johannesburg side stunned the Sharks.

Despite their awful Super Rugby form for most of the season, Fleck hasn't forgotten that this team are still the reigning Currie Cup champions.

"It's an exciting Lions team and they showed a real return to form against the Sharks," Fleck said.

"I've always felt that the Lions and Cheetahs are very difficult teams to play against, especially the way we like to play.

"They've showed glimpses of what they produced in the Currie Cup last year. At the beginning of the season they tried to push their attacking game too much and in Super Rugby it's a different story with better defences.

"It's taken some time for them to adjust, but they showed a different side of their game against the Sharks and that makes them more difficult to beat."

Fleck added that following the suspension of Mitchell it's clear that players have come together as a unit and player power can do wonders for a team.

"The players are confident and in charge, so that makes them a very dangerous team," Fleck explained.

The Lions will reply on their senior players to lead the team and Fleck has identified Butch James as a crucial man in their backline.

"I think Butchie offers a wealth of experience to them and brings some structure to their setup," he said.

"Butch also has exciting players around in Elton Jantjies and Lionel Mapoe and he'll help to bring out the best in them.

By Timmy Hancox