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January 08, 2023

Important step forward for Warriors

Posted by Editor on January 8, 2023 10:16 PM | No comments | Print | E-mail author

Franco Smith always emphasises that more hard work needs to be done but he says the win over Stormers is an important step forward for Warriors
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith says the 24-17 win over URC champions Stormers is "an important step forward" for his side.

A last minute try from from Sebastian Cancelliere grabbed the win and a bonus point for Glasgow. Just minutes earlier some observers had questioned the decision to turn down kickable penalties with the teams tied and time running out.

"It was an important step forward for us, especially the way we did it," said Smith in The Scotsman. "It was a good game of rugby and probably really enjoyable to watch for the supporters. We had to use every part of our skillset. We scrummed really well, we drove well, defended well, and used our kicking game well."

On the build up to Cancelliere's last gasp winning score, Smith felt it was the right decision to persist with the scrums rather than go for the three points.

"That's always the plan," said the coach, who has guided the club to six successive wins. "If we feel strong in an area, we go for it. I felt it was a better decision than kicking at goal. If you kick at goal with seven minutes to go, you end up back defending in your half. You could then give away seven points and lose the game. Our execution can still improve. But it was the right thing to do and we got our rewards in the end.

"It was fantastic to see that we have the confidence now to take on the best teams in the competition in these areas. The guys stepped up to the plate again. Our physicality and the way we went about our business. To take them on at the scrum at the end is a rewarding feeling."