Stormers must stay sensible
11 Mar 2010
Forget an expansive performance. Aggressive defence, clinical lineout work and an abrasive breakdown display will set the stage for a win over the Hurricanes.
Ever the diplomat, Allister Coetzee said the Stormers will keep the ball in hand on Saturday. For those desperate for the Sevens-style touch rugby showcased in the Lions vs Chiefs fixture, this may be cause for excitement. For those who took note of Coetzee’s comments earlier in the week, it’s clear the Stormers will keep with a more sensible approach.
Ball retention is the Stormers’ priority, and this means the Cape franchise will look to make better use of their possession than they have in previous weeks. The decision-making hasn’t been great, as players have often kicked when the run was on, or run from their own territory when the clearance was more prudent. They’ve also dropped the ball at crucial moments, and a number of try-scoring opportunities have gone begging.
Against bottom-four teams like the Lions and Highlanders, it’s not a big deal, but you can’t squander chances against teams like the Hurricanes. The Stormers missed out against the Brumbies, and they’ve no doubt taken a lesson from that error-strewn defeat.
You can’t set out to beat a team like the Canes with an all-out attack. As disjointed as the Kiwis are at the moment, they have the individuals capable of turning the spilled passes that have characterised the Stormers backline’s season into try-scoring chances. They are lethal on the counter, but are limited if you tighten your approach.
The Stormers defence has been nothing short of magnificent. They’ve conceded two tries and 48 points in four matches. The miserly Crusaders are a distant second with seven tries and 84 points conceded. The Stormers’ line defence has been impresssive, but so too has their defence at the breakdown. Schalk Burger and Francois Louw have worked well together under the new laws, and pose a big threat to the Canes at the tackle.
The lineout is another strong point, and after two tries earned through powerful mauls that would’ve had northern hemisphere critics out of their armchairs, why would they want to move away from what works? Sure the Canes pack has several All Black individuals, but as the early rounds have proved, they’re not nearly as dangerous as a unit.
Coetzee wants his backline attack to keep striving for that elusive synergy, and has even uttered the Peter de Villiers phrase of ‘when we come off, we’re going to be one helluva force’. You have to appreciate what the Stormers are trying to do in their quest to become the complete team. Their scrum is steady, their breakdown and lineout is thriving, their defence is top of the competition and their kicking game, although still lacking distance, is working. The backline attack is the only concern, but now is not the time to ‘keep trying’.
The Canes thrive in broken play, so why give them the opportunity of scooping a knock on and scoring at the other end of the park? The Stormers have already beaten the Waratahs, they should have beaten the Brumbies and are favourites to beat the Hurricanes. An ugly win will suffice when you’re playing the top teams. As it is in Test rugby, you shouldn’t increase the risk by persisting with something that is yet to come off.
The Stormers’ finishing requires work, but these ambitions need to be placed on hold for the time being. The Canes are too great a counter-attacking threat, and as any coach will tell you, you don’t play to the opposition’s strengths. As Coetzee himself has said, the Stormers want to starve the Canes of possession, and that begins with respecting your own ball. This means playing tighter, smarter rugby.
Whether it rains in Cape Town this Saturday or not, the humidity afflicting the Mother City at present is hardly conducive to an expansive spectacle. These conditions will suit the hosts in what some may call a more conservative approach and others may call a winning one. As a team, the Canes have shown nothing to suggest they’ll trouble the Stormers at home, but of course, this all depends on the Cape side staying true to their winning formula.
By Jon Cardinelli
367 Comments
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11 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
Ok guys I am outa of here
Have a great afternoon
11 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
@Ig: @Ig: the only vision Harry had was his reflection in the mirror (highlites in his hair and 20K suites)
11 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
KAREN!
11 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
@Karen: Don’t be so scarce!
11 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
Hey Blouste – Hoe gannit? Sometimes these days i wish i was a Bulls supporter just for the quality of the rugby. But then reality dawns
11 Mar 2010, 15:05 pm
@Karen: nooo
11 Mar 2010, 15:05 pm
@Horings: Rod Kafer as prop
11 Mar 2010, 15:06 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: Indeed.
11 Mar 2010, 15:08 pm
So, when does Cardinelli and Vrede give us their “expert” views on what’s going to happen this weekend?
11 Mar 2010, 15:10 pm
@WP Till I Die: The 100 ******* in the basement must be on strike
11 Mar 2010, 15:12 pm
@WP Till I Die: The 100 Macaca fascicularis in the basement must be on strike…
farking moderation
11 Mar 2010, 15:12 pm
@Ig: I think the era of the boks having un ultra uncreative backline ended with the knock on / Drop Kick that Jaco displayed in the 49-0 drubbing at the Suncorp, that was officially the lowest point, from then on the Rugby God decided that enough was enough, and so began the long hard road out of hell !!!
11 Mar 2010, 15:14 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: Lets be honest its still not exactly the most creative line in the world – we juts lucky to have Habs and Co to give us hope – i still think me miss a ten who runs the show like Merts etc
11 Mar 2010, 15:15 pm
@Ig:
Fine thanks…you guys not doing badly though…
11 Mar 2010, 15:17 pm
@Blouste: Early days … i have no faith in those dudes, when they have won the competition i will acknowledge they had a good year
farking smilies
11 Mar 2010, 15:17 pm
bok centres with the worst hands:
1. Halstead (could catch it, but never passed it)
2. De Wet Barry
3. Jorrie Muller(dont know if he could pass it as he never cought it)
4. Pieter Muller(but he could tackle all right)
11 Mar 2010, 15:17 pm
@Blouste: if it was up to you everyone that mentions rt would be banned…good on roy!
That “report comment” button was used by the verkrampte to deal with anyone who challenged their warped views. But Roy picked up on it and removed it, again good on ye Roy!
11 Mar 2010, 15:21 pm
@Transformation:
Don’t feel like talking to you at this stage…
It’s of no use in anycase…
11 Mar 2010, 15:23 pm
@Ig: Honibal had a creative edge though, played before his time i reckon
11 Mar 2010, 15:26 pm
@Transformation: @Blouste:
Did you okes have a spat or something? I struggle to keep up these days…
11 Mar 2010, 15:29 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: Yea, Lem was a legend – its just a pity only Mallet ever acknowledged it.
11 Mar 2010, 15:30 pm
@Horings: Ugliest player ever…….Neil Jenkins !!!! or the other Welsh Fullback Thomas
11 Mar 2010, 15:31 pm
@WP Till I Die:
Nah , Ek’s net nie nou lus om in die moddergooiery betrokke te raak nie, ou transie is duidelik besig om dit uit te lok…
Gaan dit goed daai kant?
11 Mar 2010, 15:34 pm
Geez, there is some dirty laundry coming out here.
@Ig: I could not agree more. Oh for a flyhalf with quick feet, quick hands, a kick like a mule, tackles like Honiball and has great vision. Morne is 75% there – here is hoping that he is working on the other 25%
11 Mar 2010, 15:38 pm
@GI POT: I was never a Steyn fan, but the more he plays at Bok level, the more i think he isn’t half bad.
11 Mar 2010, 15:39 pm
@GI POT: And that can drop kick like Jannie De Beer !!!!!
11 Mar 2010, 15:42 pm
@WP Till I Die: @320, Transie called Gerard Van Der Heever, “Hurdles”
11 Mar 2010, 15:42 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: He certainly rivals Neil Jenkins @ # 322
11 Mar 2010, 15:47 pm
@Ig: hell yeah, and what made matters worse is that he never turned when he droped
11 Mar 2010, 15:50 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: Indeed, but Jannie gets free drinks for life on my tab after that RWC display against England
11 Mar 2010, 15:52 pm
Gerhard vs Mjekuvo … mmmm Gerhard by 100000000
11 Mar 2010, 15:54 pm
@Ig: Yeah and despite his looks he can most likely pull woman easier then what i can in certain parts of the OFS !!!!
11 Mar 2010, 15:56 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: ROTFLMAO
11 Mar 2010, 16:01 pm
@Blouste:you better stick to die taal boytjie!
@WP Till I Die: nah, ek & blouste is gatgabbas van toeka af…hehehe
11 Mar 2010, 16:04 pm
haha, sol much of bickering.
i love rugby season
we can all go back to being mates when the dust settles lmao!
11 Mar 2010, 16:08 pm
@rangerman: Different day, same ****
11 Mar 2010, 16:09 pm
@rangerman:
Glad to see you still have your sense of humour, Ranger of the North…
I was getting worried for a bit, you seemed to be getting quite emotionally invested in some of the spats on here…
11 Mar 2010, 16:10 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: Nah, I think Morne’s drop kicks are just fine.
I must say that Ashley Johnson must be the butt ugliest rugby player I have ever seen and I am certain that some parts of the Free State and Cape Flats will disagree with me there!!!
11 Mar 2010, 16:12 pm
@GI POT: Dude you have to respect the fro’
11 Mar 2010, 16:14 pm
@GI POT: Ya when he Ashley Johnson opperates woman, they call it “Cavemaning”
11 Mar 2010, 16:15 pm
@Ig: Absolutely, the proverbial ontploffing in matras fabriek. Respect
11 Mar 2010, 16:17 pm
@Ig: if he had to wear a bandana with that fro, he would look like a harlem pimp from the 70′s
11 Mar 2010, 16:18 pm
@WP Till I Die: ranger is in the transkei, he has to have a sense of humour, one word and i can have him taken care of!
11 Mar 2010, 16:18 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: And when he removes his fake front teeth he must be irresistable to the cavewomen. Crumbs, this is getting too graphic for me – it could lead to disturbing dreams and serious underperformance. Gotta go
11 Mar 2010, 16:24 pm
@GI POT: LOL he is made up in folk tales, they say “kids of you miss behave Ashley will come and get you”
11 Mar 2010, 16:30 pm
@rangerman: The Wars!
It’s what we live for.
I even let Hater come out and play today. Felt a little bloodthirsty.
11 Mar 2010, 16:31 pm
@Gonzo Journalism: He needs to cut that hair.
11 Mar 2010, 16:34 pm
@Ig:
My intuition just flared up.
11 Mar 2010, 16:58 pm
15.Juan ( nice and tall)
14 spies
13 vermeulen
12 Brussouw
11 kanko
10 Vic ( some nice grubbers kills – try of Jsmit against Lions
9 Vloors
8. Jaques Fourie
7. Meisiekind
6. De wet barry ( still plays for EP)
5. van den haaver ( tall
4. Jaco Pretorius ( tall
3 AD jacobs
2 Riaan viljoen
1 Earl rose( would like to see him get scrummed
11 Mar 2010, 17:02 pm
van den haaver = vd heever
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