Stormers play down fetcher’s importance

25 Jan 2012

The Stormers believe there will be life after Francois Louw and that the omission of a specialist fetcher will not compromise their largely successful game plan.

It’s been the topic of much debate in regional and international rugby circles over the past six or seven years, but there is certainly a lot of evidence that supports the argument for the inclusion of a specialist fetcher.

Peter de Villiers got it wrong in mid-2010 when he omitted a specialist in Heinrich Brussow’s injury-enforced absence, but even he was eventually convinced that these skills are integral to a top team’s success. This is why he subsequently recalled Louw as Brussow’s understudy for the 2011 World Cup.

Louw had shown what he was capable of at Super Rugby level with the Stormers. His skills on the ground played a crucial role in the Stormers’ defensive system, as he was able to slow the opposition attack to the point where his team-mates could realign on defence.

Nowadays, most successful teams appoint a man to play ‘the spoiler role’, for example the All Blacks and Crusaders’ Richie McCaw, the Wallabies’ David Pocock and on a smaller scale, the Reds’ Beau Robinson. All of these players formed part of successful teams that boasted exceptional defensive records, and much of the credit in this respect went to the openside flankers for the work they did in stifling the opposition attack.

The Stormers made no attempt to recruit a replacement for Louw in the off-season, and coach Allister Coetzee later explained that the plan was to promote one of the young flankers within the union once they were ready. Coetzee also said he would give men like Rohan Kitshoff and Reuben Johannes opportunities in the pre-season to stake a claim.

The plan at this stage, however, is to start Schalk Burger, Nick Koster and Duane Vermeulen in the back row in the first rounds of the Super Rugby tournament. With Vermeulen still sidelined at this point, Coetzee has opted to slot another big ball carrier (Siya Kolisi) into that back row for this weekend’s warm-up game against the Lions.

He may yet hand one of the fetchers a chance in the remaining pre-season fixtures, but he would have perhaps done better to play a specialist against Super Rugby teams like the Lions and Cheetahs who both have excellent players on the floor. It would have been a good exercise for the individuals, and it would have afforded the Stormers’ collective a chance to polish their playing patterns and game plan before the season starts.

On Tuesday, Coetzee said that the coming game represents a chance to shake off the rust and enjoy a full run within the team’s systems. He also doesn’t feel that the exclusion of a fetcher will compromise their game plan.

‘I expect most of the players to have a go on the ground. You can’t wait for a fetcher to run from one end of the field to another breakdown where you are,’ he said.

‘It is immaterial whether it’s Siya or Schalk, all the players have a responsibility to contest the ball on the floor. Everybody knows our breakdown policy and I expect them to stick to it.’

Captain Schalk Burger also didn’t view it as a problem. While some may have expected him to revert to a fetcher-type role in the absence of an out-and-out specialist, Burger confirmed that he would continue as he did in 2011. He also put his faith in the balance of the incumbent back row.

‘Flo is a fantastic player and by not having him we lose out on his experience, but Siya is an exciting prospect in his place and Nick has done it all before.

‘I think not having Flo will change things a bit, but I’ve had a good chat to the boys and we’ll have a look on the weekend to see if it works or not.’

Lions coach John Mitchell has opted to field Derick Minnie, Josh Strauss and Warren Whiteley in his back row for Friday’s warm-up. While both teams will be hoping for a synchronised showing up front, it will be interesting to see how the Lions fetcher, Minnie, fares against a Stormers team that’s missing a specialist on the floor.

By Jon Cardinelli


149 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All

  • 51.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:44 am

    @John Galt-46: Not yet ;)

    There was an article actually referring to Duanne Vermeulen’s abilities as an opensider and how he’d played there before,

    Now looking at the fact that Duanne and FLO had close to the same amount of pilfers it does support the hybrid theory that AC is on about,

    They key is getting it right.

    I think that if you look at that list there are a lot of classic opensiders in there, but also many others too, supporting the idea that competing for the breakdown ball is a team effort, not a speciality,

    What the list obviously doesn’t refer to are important aspects like slowing down the opposition ball, penalties forced, etc. Also vital in the context of each game.

  • 52.stew: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:45 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-49: Refused till he retires – was offered though !

  • 53.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:45 am

    @ufo-50:
    Remembering that stat is just for actual pilfers.

    What it doesnt show is penalties gained for the guy attempting to steal the ball.

    I would think that figure whould be much higher for the out and out fetchers like Pocock and Todd etc.

  • 54.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:46 am

    @ufo-50: You may well ask, hey, and if you look at a guy like Bismark, he’s streets ahead of any other Shark.

    But as i said in my post above, it’s not just about steals, although that’s the most visible aspect of the role.

  • 55.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:47 am

    Stewie who offered him the knighthood?

    Or is this another piece of kiwi folklore?

  • 56.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:47 am

    @John Galt-53: Snap. See my post 51 :D

  • 57.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:49 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-55: Do they still knight people from the colonies?

    Unless they are being “put to the sword’

    But that’s probably not what he’s thinking of.

  • 58.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:49 am

    @stormersboy-56:
    Yip exactly.
    I am surprised to see Daniel so high on that list though.
    And Stegman so low.

  • 59.stew: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:49 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-55: Apparently he and Sir Graham were offered at the new years honours list – services to NZ rugby -McCaw declined as he said it was incorrect while still playing …. What a guy !

  • 60.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:52 am

    @John Galt-58: People talk of Stegman as if he’s some sort of genius, and quite frankly I just don’t see it,

    He is supposedly quite good at all those “other things” that are hard to measure though.

  • 61.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:52 am

    Indeed stormerlad.

    I doubt very much the queen offered to knight MacCheat whilst he was still falling all over the ruck.

    Convention dictates that she would wait until his playing the ball off his feet days were over.

    This is probably a case of some priapic kiwi politico getting ahead of themselves.

  • 62.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:53 am

    @stormersboy-51:
    @stormersboy-54:

    good points… what’s that old chinese proverb…? may you live in interesting times? well… i guess the stormers supporters are in for an interesting season…

    @John Galt-53:

    yeah… i’m sure they would… very interesting stats though… certainly give plenty food for thought… thanks for posting them…

    do you have stats for the that include more of that info…

    .
    .
    anyway gents… work calls…

    good day to all…!!

  • 63.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:54 am

    Damn

    Tac refuses to park his Fortuner next to my dolphin-shape.

    And what are knaters?????

  • 64.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:55 am

    Ah so it is just another piece of kiwi folklore.

  • 65.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:55 am

    I will say this, and this is just based on observation:

    FLO was very effective at forcing penalties at the breakdown.

    Both for WP and for the Boks.

    I’d love to see a stat around that aspect,

    Perhaps penalties forced vs penalties conceded.

  • 66.ufo: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:58 am

    just a quickie…

    they do still knight people from the commonwealth…

    but no way in hell do they “offer” knighthoods like cool badges… for the common folk to turn down… not even to Sir Richie… they’d never put the queen in the position of being refused… people either get them or they don’t… there’s no bartering for them…

  • 67.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 08:59 am

    Lions to take this one

  • 68.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:11 am

    So if Johnny Wilkinson only got an OBE and Martin Johnson only got a CBE, and considering that they are actually British, what makes the Kiwi’s think that Richie will get something better?

  • 69.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:12 am

    @ufo-66:
    basically the kiwi prime minister did a lot of arsse kissing and the usual diplomatic protocol stuff to set up two likely knighthoods for henry and the cheat and had to give an answer on whether they were in or not once the royal office ok’d it.

    the cheat said no thank you but henry said yes.

  • 70.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:13 am

    @ufo-36: hey don’t mention my name in your squabbles. you can ramble on if you want, no skin off my back. :D

  • 71.RL: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:13 am

    @ufo-15: It’s only a warm-up match, I would not mind if the Stormers win this match. I think that the DHL cup will look nice in the province trophy cabinet ….. It will have a shelf all to itself and will be eye catching for visitors. :wink:

  • 72.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:14 am

    Look MacCheat may well get a gong when he hangs up his boots (like FitzCheat) but to suggest he would get one now is prematured.

    Knighthoods are not offered like Encyclopedia sets.

  • 73.HHS: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:17 am

    I hear that Gio Aplon was in a car accident…. EWM will confirm.

  • 74.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:18 am

    Knaters, anyone?

  • 75.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:18 am

    So let me get this:

    If Neo Africa have pulled out of the tourney, and we were the last people to win it, does that mean we get to keep the cup??

    Sweeeeet.

  • 76.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:18 am

    Au revoir

    The new zealand prime minister doesn’t get to decide on knighthoods.

    They can make recommendations but that is as far as it goes.

    We need to nip this little bullshit story in the bud.

    Just like Brycies death threats.

  • 77.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:19 am

    @Dawn-74: Bulls Balls Dawnie.

  • 78.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:19 am

    Knighthoods are dime a dozen

  • 79.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:20 am

    @HHS-73: I hope he’s OK

  • 80.HHS: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:20 am

    @HHS-73: He’s ok.

  • 81.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:20 am

    Gnaters are wot can like to be bounced on your chin.

  • 82.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:21 am

    I’m shocked.

  • 83.HHS: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:21 am

    @stormersboy-79: It was Gio and Habana…. both ok.

  • 84.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:23 am

    You may address me in the Queen’s English as I am perfectly capable of comprehending it.

    What you talk there is wubbish

  • 85.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:24 am

    @HHS-83: OK

    :D

  • 86.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:29 am

    why does mccheat get a knighthood?

    for crying in 2007 like a widdle baby and then grinning in 2011 after narrowly surviving another momentous choking fit?

    no man.

  • 87.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:31 am

    @HHS-73: no man, hope he is ok.

    oh, i see he is, good news.

  • 88.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:33 am

    @Dawn-74:
    balls, ballas, cojones, knutsack, testicles, knaters.

    if its light blue its usually big…very big..

    if its blue and white or black and white its usually small…very small.

  • 89.Bod: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:35 am

    @rangerman-86:

    Its a sad day that all those rhetoric Kiwibloggers have vanished into thin air and there are no more kiwi faces to kick sand into anymore.

    Even Tackles has gone lame

    Its a sad state of affairs indeed

  • 90.au revoir mon tout noirs, au revoir...: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:36 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-76:
    yes, that is what i meant by saying he does the arsse kissing as well as follows the correct protocols with the royal office.

    but ja, we are in agreement.

  • 91.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:38 am

    @Bod-89: well nzinchina has flown the flag but kiwis worldwide are still running around, pigeon chests puffed out telling everyone they won the bestest world cup ever!

    let them enjoy their time in the sun (even poppa gets an hour outdoors every day).

    because rugby time is approaching and the midget madman is no longer in charge of the boks.

  • 92.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:42 am

    @Dawn-74: what are nuts that can be found on the chest? they be chest nuts

    what are nuts that can be found on a wall? they be walnuts

    what are nuts that can be found on a chin? get out of here b_itch, you got a d_ick in ya mouth :mrgreen:

    gotta love gangsta rappers!

  • 93.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:43 am

    Ergo Spies has big knaters

  • 94.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:44 am

    :lol: Trans!

  • 95.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:45 am

    @Dawn-93: Sadly not as big as everyone was hoping they’s be….

  • 96.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:46 am

    “Everybody knows our breakdown policy”

    What’s that, Alistair, only AA tow trucks?

  • 97.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:47 am

    Gunther is a bull so he has big knaters.

    Jinne I dig that word.

  • 98.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:48 am

    @>^..^< katman-96:

    Andries Bekker is only allowed to break down halfway through the season.

  • 99.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:48 am

    Kiwis have a breakdown policy.

    They do it regular.

  • 100.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    25 Jan 2012, 09:50 am

    @Tacitus-98: As in become injured, or break down and cry?

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