Seattle Seawolves coach Allen Clarke didn’t mince words about his team's gutsy display against the Stormers XXIII in Cape Town, despite a 45-14 drubbing in a spirited pre-season friendly. Clarke hailed his squad's "character and resilience" in a clash that he believed showcased their potential and underscored critical areas for development.
Clarke was particularly animated about the first half of the game, stating, "For 50 minutes, we went toe-to-toe with a quality Stormers XXIII. The game provided glimpses of what we’re capable of with quality ball, and highlighted areas where we need to improve quickly." He remained optimistic about the team's trajectory, adding, "What’s most important is we believe in what we’re building and we progress from here. This was a physical and high tempo game that will make us better."
The match kicked off with flair from the Seawolves, sparked by South African flyhalf David Coetzer's brilliant initiation of an attack that saw Namibia international Divan Rossouw assisting Micheal Hand II for a slick try. However, the Stormers XXIII responded strongly, securing a 17-7 lead by halftime and extending their dominance through the second half.
South African scrumhalf André Warner did manage to close the gap for the Seawolves with a try, but the Stormers' superior match sharpness and fitness levels were too much for the Seawolves, still shaking off their pre-season rust.
"Growing up as a keen golfer, the USA fascinated me. Turned out to be rugby, though,"
Riekert Hattingh, the Seawolves' captain and a stalwart since the team's inaugural season in 2018, reflected on his journey and the team's evolution. With two Major League Rugby titles under his belt, Hattingh shared, "Building teams up from scratch in a new country and creating a team as a business is exciting for my entrepreneurial spirit. It’s been hard with many challenges but somehow we’ve made it happen and won two league titles in the process."
Former Junior Springbok centre Dan Kriel and towering forward Marno Redelinghuys, who both have roots in Western Province, expressed a sentimental connection during their visit to the Stormers High Performance Centre. Kriel remarked on the experience, "It’s incredible being back. Our coaches and investors love the brand of rugby the Stormers play, but moreover the people, the scenery, the weather has all been pretty special, particularly for some of the Americans who have never traveled outside the States."
As for Redelinghuys, he's leveraging his time in the States beyond the rugby field, having completed a postgraduate degree in psychology. Eyeing a Green Card, he is hopeful about his prospects, including a potential slot in the USA squad for the 2027 World Cup.
The Seawolves are set to continue their build-up to the new season with more high-caliber fixtures, aiming to translate their learnings from games like these into victories that count.
2,100 posts
Seattle Seawolves coach Allen Clarke didn’t mince words about his team's gutsy display against the Stormers XXIII in Cape Town, despite a 45-14 drubbing in a spirited pre-season friendly. Clarke hailed his squad's "character and resilience" in a clash that he believed showcased their potential and underscored critical areas for development.
Clarke was particularly animated about the first half of the game, stating, "For 50 minutes, we went toe-to-toe with a quality Stormers XXIII. The game provided glimpses of what we’re capable of with quality ball, and highlighted areas where we need to improve quickly." He remained optimistic about the team's trajectory, adding, "What’s most important is we believe in what we’re building and we progress from here. This was a physical and high tempo game that will make us better."
The match kicked off with flair from the Seawolves, sparked by South African flyhalf David Coetzer's brilliant initiation of an attack that saw Namibia international Divan Rossouw assisting Micheal Hand II for a slick try. However, the Stormers XXIII responded strongly, securing a 17-7 lead by halftime and extending their dominance through the second half.
South African scrumhalf André Warner did manage to close the gap for the Seawolves with a try, but the Stormers' superior match sharpness and fitness levels were too much for the Seawolves, still shaking off their pre-season rust.
"Growing up as a keen golfer, the USA fascinated me. Turned out to be rugby, though,"
Riekert Hattingh, the Seawolves' captain and a stalwart since the team's inaugural season in 2018, reflected on his journey and the team's evolution. With two Major League Rugby titles under his belt, Hattingh shared, "Building teams up from scratch in a new country and creating a team as a business is exciting for my entrepreneurial spirit. It’s been hard with many challenges but somehow we’ve made it happen and won two league titles in the process."
Former Junior Springbok centre Dan Kriel and towering forward Marno Redelinghuys, who both have roots in Western Province, expressed a sentimental connection during their visit to the Stormers High Performance Centre. Kriel remarked on the experience, "It’s incredible being back. Our coaches and investors love the brand of rugby the Stormers play, but moreover the people, the scenery, the weather has all been pretty special, particularly for some of the Americans who have never traveled outside the States."
As for Redelinghuys, he's leveraging his time in the States beyond the rugby field, having completed a postgraduate degree in psychology. Eyeing a Green Card, he is hopeful about his prospects, including a potential slot in the USA squad for the 2027 World Cup.
The Seawolves are set to continue their build-up to the new season with more high-caliber fixtures, aiming to translate their learnings from games like these into victories that count.