Stormers coach Robbie Fleck says he understands why his team turned down kickable penalties in search of a try against the Brumbies on Saturday.

While the Stormers dominated possession and territory for much of the match, which they lost 19-17, they failed to make the Brumbies pay.

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Fleck said he backed the decisions made by both stand-in captain Steven Kitshoff and Siya Kolisi, adding that the players felt they had the opportunity to score a try.

‘That is a decision for which I will always back the captain. The players felt they had an opportunity there. We were 12-0 down [in the first half] so we took the lineout. I can understand the decision to go for the try in that regard.

‘We came close. In hindsight, maybe [they should have taken the three points], but the players felt it was the right call and I will back that. At the end of the game we went for the points, but Josh [Stander] missed that one opportunity [in the second half]. There was another penalty from a maul, which was probably tough to kick.

‘So again, I back the decision to go for the touchline, because we had just got two or three maul penalties in a row. That following maul was sacked two or three metres short and we did not get the penalty. We will always back the decision made on the field.’

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