Proud Dobson credits pack after Stormers dismantle Leinster in URC opener

Dobson joked that the result must have left "some broke bookmakers" as the Stormers flipped the script on the defending URC champions.

Up against a Leinster outfit stacked with 13 internationals, the home side outmuscled and outworked their visitors to launch their URC campaign in fine style.

"Super proud of Ruan [Nel] and the team," Dobson said. "We had a plan, but it had to be a different plan to the normal Stormers plan. If you work out how our game model is â- it had to be about hard work, intensity, physicality, sticking to a plan and I'm super proud and grateful to them because that was a magic performance."

The pack set the tone, dominating the maul and crossing twice from it â- an area Dobson credited to forwards coach Rito Hlungwani.

"Our mauls have stalled in the last two years, but Rito came up with a new product and it was sensational in George [in a pre-season match against the Sharks] and again here tonight. That's just a product of Rito working really hard," he said.

He also singled out Wandisile Simelane, who impressed despite being pressed into service at fullback, a role outside his usual position.

"I thought he did well. He's a 13 and he moved there for the team, so that's great. But there's nobody like Warrick Gelant, so we can't be too complacent. We've got work to do there covering backfield and that's why I'm so grateful to Wandi because he did it for the team."

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