Ospreys lauded for ‘big hearts’ and the comment that ‘tells you quite a lot’ about the team

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth praised his players’ performance after they shocked the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship in a result that will “earn respect”.

The 27-21 victory saw the Welsh team become only the third side to secure a league win in Cape Town as they joined the Lions and Munster in having done so.

It was therefore a momentous occasion for Booth‘s men, who have put themselves right in the play-off mix as they sit seventh with just four rounds remaining.

Unbelievable group

A brace from Luke Morgan and one apiece from Sam Parry and Harri Deaves helped Ospreys seal victory while their scrum and defence also impressed on Saturday.

“We talked a lot about what we wanted this season to look like and one of the phrases the players came up with is they wanted to earn respect and I think performances like that help everyone involved in the camp earn some respect,” said Booth.

“It was a really great reflection of an unbelievable group.

“I am so proud to be here talking about a team that has so much resilience and so much ability to find a way in difficult moments. They have got big hearts.

“When we talk about finding a way, often it’s built on competitiveness, heart, energy, a never-say-die attitude. We are a good team when our backs are up against the wall, for sure. That comes from a group that cares about each other a lot and are prepared to do things that take no talent, because those are the things that get it done – and it got it done.

Stormers dealt hammer home playoff race blow as Ospreys stun John Dobson’s charges

“I thought it was quite ironic that the three players I spoke to as they came off were disappointed that the Stormers got a losing bonus point at the death. That probably tells you quite a lot.”

Booth added: “The Stormers are an unbelievable team, especially here. We had to find a way to hang in there and win key moments and we did that enough.

“I can’t speak highly enough for the guys because they are the ones out there. They have to go and do it and they did it brilliantly.

“It was quite an excited changing room after the game, with a lot of emotion kicking around. You have got to enjoy these moments.

“I am very proud to sit here and be the leader of this team, but they should be equally proud of the amount of respect they are earning for themselves.”

Adding his assessment on a game played in front of a 15,829 crowd, Player of the Match Morgan Morris hailed the win in Cape Town as an “incredible achievement”.

“I don’t think many teams win here, so it’s an incredible achievement for us. Everyone put in a shift. Every game, we fight to the end for each other,” he said.

Next up for Ospreys is a trip to Pretoria to face the Bulls and they are set to be boosted by the return of Wales trio Dewi Lake, Justin Tipuric and Gareth Thomas.

READ MORE: Graham Rowntree ‘immensely proud’ after historic win at Bulls as Munster relishing ‘pressure games’