Sensational Stormers clobber Canes
13 Mar 2010
A physically and tactically superior Stormers side secured the bonus point in their 37-13 spanking of the Hurricanes.
A small sector of the 45 000-strong crowd came to Newlands for what newspaper billboards predicted as a ‘Hurricane warning’. Those South Africans supporting the men in yellow left disappointed, as the Hurricanes never mustered as much as a breeze.
The Stormers were the team that entertained the crowd, but the platform for a spectacular running performance was established through a drive for territory and a clinical forward showing. They cashed in on an early opportunity when the Canes impeded in the first minute, and scored a beautiful try on their next visit to the opposition 22.
The forwards were typically aggressive at the breakdown, and although they didn’t always end up on the right side of referee Steve Walsh, it was their victory at this battle that determined the greater outcome.
Francois Louw made a magnificent steal deep in the Canes’ 22, and the ball was flung as far as outside centre Jaque Fourie. The Springbok fixed his defender before floating the pass to Pietersen, who in turn found Sireli Naqelevuki with the perfect offload.
The big Fijian has been criticised for his relaxed running style, but on this occasion, he could do no wrong. The Canes’ kickers targeted his wing but Naqelevuki often beat the poor kick chase once securing the catch. He was also involved in the Stormers’ second try in the 31st minute when he carried two defenders on his back and handed Pietersen the final pass.
The hosts had ample opportunities which they failed to finish, but they managed to retain possession through their almost masochistic approach to the breakdown and kamikaze-style defence. The visitors made too many errors in Stormers’ territory to build sufficient pressure, and rightly went to the break with a measly three points.
Pietersen missed the first two conversions, but the manner in which the Stormers finished the first half rendered the misses inconsequential.
A lineout on halfway was collected and driven 40m before the ball emerged and travelled towards Bryan Habana’s wing. The Canes’ defence looked to have Habana covered, but a quick recycle saw Dewaldt Duvenage exploiting a massive hole in the flyhalf channel. Duane Vemeulen scored his try unopposed, an atypical score considering how prominently he featured as ground-gaining ball carrier early in the fixture.
The Canes spent the first 10 minutes of the second half camped in the red zone, but determined defence and pressure-enforced errors kept them tryless.
Fourie had an outstanding game as did his centre partner Juan de Jongh. The hard-running youngster got close to scoring in the 53rd minute, as did Brok Harris from the ensuing pick and go. TMO Shaun Veldsman ruled the ball was knocked on, much to the crowd’s annoyance.
But the Stormers stayed hungry, and their territorial and forward dominance continued to irk the out-muscled and out-thought Canes. The visitors failed to collect a loose ball which was hacked and gathered by Peter Grant. Although stopped short, the support arrived in the form of Harris, who wasn’t to be denied a second time.
The score secured the bonus point, and all that remained was for the Stormers to keep the Canes honest in the final quarter. Captain Schalk Burger weighed in with some brutal hits and his team-mates took a cue from his sustained intensity. The Canes continued to blunder, and dangermen like Ma’a Nonu were played out of the game.
David Smith touched down in the 68th minute and Tyson Keats on full-time, tries that cost the Stormers their second consecutive clean sheet. But considering the Canes’ attacking reputation and penchant for pinching tries at the death, the Stormers will be proud to have kept them to two tries. The Stormers also scored their fifth when Fourie ran an angle and powered through the exhausted Canes defence.
The performance is the Stormers’ best to date, and a massive result considering they’ve beaten two traditional giants, the Waratahs and Canes, by a comfortable margin. They’ll be favourites to take the Cheetahs next week, and with that result they’ll head on their Australasian tour with a record of five victories from six matches.
Their attack still isn’t perfect. Ball was spilled in contact and the lineout wobbled on a few occasions, and if synergy is their goal they’ll need to eliminate those errors.
What is a big plus is the Stormers’ defence is still king, as they’ve only conceded four tries in five games. If they can keep the current line-up together, they’re going to be extremely tough to beat.
By Jon Cardinelli
389 Comments
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13 Mar 2010, 23:04 pm
You’ve got to laugh at all those expert comments knocking Jaque Fourie last week. He’s got to be the best defensive centre in the world. He even says so himself.
The Stormers have the best points differnce so far in the tournament at plus 89 and better than the Bulls 60.
They have only let through 4 tries compared to Bulls 15.
Defence is going to win this Super 14. But Bulls and Stormers travel well.
Can’t wait for that match.
13 Mar 2010, 23:07 pm
@Robzim: roflmao
13 Mar 2010, 23:09 pm
and I would be very weary about getting all **** a hoop if I’m Stormers coaches and players. We got easy beat teams so far except for Brumbies who we should have put away if some our early breaks came off.
Suddenly it started to click tonight with Duvenhage and Grant running the show.
Its a great team. Thank the good Lord above nobody went and got chicken feet and played De Waal instead of Grant when all these doubters were calling for his head.
13 Mar 2010, 23:09 pm
@BokiNZ: fair enough, nice to know youve tarred us all with the same brush… your prerogative I guess..
like I imagine Saffas would be in SA with a kiwi working with them and NZ had a good weekend… or am I mistaken there? serious question?
13 Mar 2010, 23:09 pm
@I am a stormer: are you on the Stormers blog?
13 Mar 2010, 23:09 pm
@Robzim: We spoke yesterday about you preferring an intelligent thinking 7. I don’t know whether you watched the Bulls game? What did you think of our own version of “le blonde guilotine?” Talk about workrate, talk about support play, talk about defence, talk about keeping the pressure on the opponents, but most of all talk about vision and keeping the continuity going with brilliant vision, anticipation and good hands, and I have not seen that kind of quality play by any other 7- not even Juan Smith, because he lacks the finesse. I believe this guy is the real deal and the future for the Boks in his position if PDivvy wants to play that type of game. And to think Potties has just come back from injury and is able to deliver this kind of form.
13 Mar 2010, 23:10 pm
@SpringbokSarah: I wasn’t refering to your age. I believe Ricky is close to his best. He’s a terrier around defensive ruck and his tempo went up considerably from what I can remember the last time I saw him!
13 Mar 2010, 23:11 pm
@skopskiet: we can beat them
13 Mar 2010, 23:12 pm
@BokiNZ: no doubt he’s getting better… he’s just not there yet… and what with Dewaldt putting in massive performances over the past 2 weeks… well more options of Allister
13 Mar 2010, 23:15 pm
@skopskiet:
The Cheetahs are not nearly in the class of the Stormers (there are not more than 3-4 in their team who will even get a contract at the Stormers) but they will step up as it is a local derby.
The Stormers should still win however- Rassie knows how to play against them.
I expect them to spoil and frustrate the Stormers – but it won’t be enough.
13 Mar 2010, 23:18 pm
Grant and Duvenhage ran the show brilliantly tonight just like I always knew they had it in them to ask the big questions round the advantage line. And how you like the big monster Fiji takes 4 guys to even get half a handle on the guy. Move over Jonah Lomu there’s a new gentle giant in town and he ain’t taking no prisoners seems like this year.
13 Mar 2010, 23:21 pm
@catleya:
Pottie was great – could be the future bok captain.
Personally I would like Luke Watson to be the next bok captain, but, as u know, there are many complications and issues.
Pottie is my second choice – great and intelligent all round player.
13 Mar 2010, 23:22 pm
@I am a stormer: My only concern for the Stormers is if Jaque Fourie gets injured. Who will then manage that backline? Their S14 could hinge on that.
Points difference won’t win the S14, neither will defence. It is quite simply the team that scores the most points plus 4 tries for a bonus point in every match, and then you have to win your semi and the final.
The Bulls have learnt this little secret. The four try bonus point plus at least an 8 point winning margin is the ideal. Anything less is not good enough and anything more doesn’t earn you any more points.
But congratulations. Your team did very well today.
13 Mar 2010, 23:26 pm
@poppa69: Well, I can’t say. Haven’t been unfortunate enough to work with a Kiwi in the motherland. Maybe, but I’ll tell you this though…SARUGBY and the Boks went thru deep, deep waters and taking their supporters with them! Do I take it for granted that we’ll win our games in this 3N’s. No, maybe just our homegames! That is non-negotiable but in the end I’m just happy if we win. How we win, I couldn’t give a rat’s arse, as long as we win! So, if it taught me and I guess us as Bok-supporters, one thing is to never take a win for granted. Kiwi teams are expected to win. No matter where they play. Ahh…let me just tell you this one to see what you make of it! The other day, one of the braver ones actually decided to face the music, last week with just the Crusaders winning. You know how it goes… one thing into another and he reckons…”in the end it all comes down to size of the population. NZ and the AB’s have been punching above their weight for yrs!!!
What!
I’m listening…can’t wait!
13 Mar 2010, 23:27 pm
Well done to the Bulls and Stormers. Bulls need to work on their defence big time, but hey, 50X4 – who can complain. I was not so sure about the Stormers untill this game. If they can keep this up, they’ll be dificult to beat. So SA 1 and 2! Keep it their boys!
13 Mar 2010, 23:31 pm
@catleya: we have Frikkie and Morgs
13 Mar 2010, 23:32 pm
@Robzim:
Robbo, in view of the performances and the # of tries scored in the last two weeks(4 & 5) are you prepared to now revisit the issue of Grant for fly-half?
13 Mar 2010, 23:33 pm
@Robzim: I concur with you on Luke. He is a great 6 with great skills and leadership, but I don’t quite know whether he is on par with Potties on the vision stakes, and we all know he will experience huge problems when it comes to acceptance from certain quarters. I’m just so glad Potties had a chance to showcase what I’ve seen in him all along- I hazard he has created a few new believers.
13 Mar 2010, 23:34 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
Frikkie is very underrated.
Another brilliant buy by Rassie (the saviour of Cape rugby)
13 Mar 2010, 23:36 pm
@Robzim: please don’t start… it’s late…
@Robzim: Why yes he is! Best thing they could have done
13 Mar 2010, 23:37 pm
@catleya: I take your point. Got to make it through to the semis first. At this stage, don’t want to think about injuries especially on the away leg.
But on average, 41 log points over the last 5 years can be enough to make to semis.
But the tries are going to come soon and in abundance.
Brian Habana now knows every blade of grass on the Newlands pitch.
13 Mar 2010, 23:39 pm
Since Erasmus’ arrival this is the first real extended period of about 7/8 or so consecutive games that Grant has had at F-H since 2008 and now he is being allowed to play his own game and not someone else’s game, as when Rassie in the S14 season of 2008 tried to convert him to a De Waal type player with instructions to kick for position and distance.
13 Mar 2010, 23:41 pm
@SpringbokSarah:
Not quite the real McCoy, either of them, which is why Rassie has rope Jaque in. Must say, I would rather move Juan de Jongh to 13 in that case, but then it just shifts the problem. Moving Grant isn’t the answer, because then you just move it again. And in any case, it would just be a stopgap solution.
13 Mar 2010, 23:41 pm
@ET:
Hi,
Yes, I will give him a chance
He was good today – I cannot deny it – de Jongh also distributed much better than last week.
Things are looking good – we have a relatively easy tour – if the guys can stay injury free we could be in with a shot!
13 Mar 2010, 23:45 pm
@catleya: they can keep it together, Frikkie was awesome in the CC last year
13 Mar 2010, 23:47 pm
@Robzim:
This game today was the first Stormer I are have seen live and in real time this season. I have been severely punished by having to see 4 of the 5 Sharks games and they played extremely poorly and lost them all. Here in the States we only see 3 S14 games per week and I have been forced to watch the Sharks(X 4), Lions, Cheetahs and Bulls and of those only the Bulls won the games I was forced to watch or see nothing.
13 Mar 2010, 23:49 pm
@SpringbokSarah: Hey Sarah you better get to bed otherwise Sher is going to hunt you roflmao
13 Mar 2010, 23:49 pm
@Karen: roflmao! Sher is a confused soul
13 Mar 2010, 23:53 pm
@Robzim:
Their defence has been the hallmark of their game this S14 and they have essentially suffocated the opposition into making many uncharacteristic mistakes whilst themselves being able to score of many of these opposition errors.
If they can similarly suffocate the Bulls then they stand an excellent chance of beating them this year.
Also saw the Bulls game live today so for me it was a good day of attacking rugby.
13 Mar 2010, 23:54 pm
@Springboksarah: Peter Grant has got to be the most underrated Flyhalf in the country. Morne Steyn is king – he’s no. 1. But looking at Ruan Pienaar as a FH. What is Peter de Villiers thinking.
Not much gets past Grant or De Jongh in that channel.
13 Mar 2010, 23:58 pm
@SpringbokSarah: Lol I told her and gill to stop calling each other names hahaha and be civilised – they are going to need a miracle like the Canes are going to need one against the Bulls on Saturday
13 Mar 2010, 23:59 pm
@I am a stormer: Even as little as 36 points usually sees teams through.
What has happened at the Bulls is that Pieter Rossouw is busy unlocking our backline, bringing in a style of expansive play that probably makes most Bulls purists of yesteryear turn over in their graves.
During this introductory phase you are bound to spill the ball a couple of times in the match and if you are unlucky it ends up as a score against you. But there comes a time when practicing against the tackle bags is no longer good enough, and you have to do it ‘live.’
So they tend to use the plays they have on pat up front to get ahead and build a buffer before trying the more difficult stuff, or taking their foot off the gas, and have the ability to react if the opponents score, just to squeeze enough to keep that two try differential intact.
Last year they tried to take the Landers on at the latters strength which is up front, and got burnt. This year we have opted to speed things up and make the game loose, and it worked for us.
14 Mar 2010, 00:02 am
@Karen: bwa ha ha ha ha! What she say? I stopped looking
@I am a stormer: It’s like you know me!
14 Mar 2010, 00:04 am
@ET:
Yip, the Bulls seem to be the new “running” team of SA rugby.
It is all a bit confusing, maybe it is Pieter Rossouw’s influence or maybe it is a strategy only to be used against overseas teams not used to play at high altitude?
The Bulls/ Stormers game at Newlands in 2 months time will probably have a huge influence on who plays whom and where in the semi’s.
In the meantime, I will enjoy the win of today.
How are things going with the soccer team that you and Soda seem to be the only supporters of?
14 Mar 2010, 00:05 am
omw Karen somebody asked me if I was a Stormers cheerleader! I felt so offended
14 Mar 2010, 00:07 am
@catleya: I just love it when you have a former Stormer teaching the Bulle how to play rugby!!
14 Mar 2010, 00:07 am
@SpringbokSarah: Hahahaha say yes and sell your autograph for huges amounts of money
Gill is Gill and will never change and the other one is the same lol
14 Mar 2010, 00:07 am
@SpringbokSarah:
Who is Sher.
I only know of a a Cher. She used to be married to Sonny and made a lot of money in the music and movie business.
14 Mar 2010, 00:07 am
@Robzim:
@SpringbokSarah:
He comes from us so I know his game and though he is underrated by most, he is a far sight from Jaque, but you’re right, he would be your best option if Jaque is injured.
That’s it- to bed with me. It’s been a long day of rugby.
14 Mar 2010, 00:09 am
@Robzim: Hahaha unfortunately not that Sher
14 Mar 2010, 00:09 am
@I am a stormer: Yep, and he is brilliant. I bet there are some red faces down there for allowing him to fly the coup.
14 Mar 2010, 00:10 am
the bulls still look a better side when they pump the opposition up front for 30 minutes before moving wide.
finding the blend of when to use your backs and when to truck it up has always been the Holy Grail of modern day rugby.
14 Mar 2010, 00:11 am
@Karen: roflmao! lol ja cos I totally look like the Vodababes
14 Mar 2010, 00:11 am
@Karen:
I thought so.
That one was a bit before the time of our SpringbokSarah
14 Mar 2010, 00:12 am
@SpringbokSarah: Well you could use the money to help fund our marketing strategy
14 Mar 2010, 00:13 am
@Robzim: Lol also true because she was cannot remember the “We are the Stormers” song from 1999 (sorry Sarah
14 Mar 2010, 00:13 am
@Robzim: lol not quite
@catleya: cheers
14 Mar 2010, 00:15 am
@Karen: what marketing strategy?
@Robzim: no kidding! ABBA and all that nonsense
14 Mar 2010, 00:15 am
@SpringbokSarah: Hahaha Sarah maybe the Stormers can use Sher as a tackle bag this week
14 Mar 2010, 00:16 am
@Karen: lol no prob
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