Back row brilliance stabs Spears

Back row brilliance stabs Spears

28 Jan 2006

The Stormers delivered a disjointed but ultimately profitable display to down the Spears 73-5 in their final Super 14 crank-up before the Super 14.

It’s not often that a coach can reflect on a 73-5 win with a slightly bitter aftertaste, but if Kobus van der Merwe is realistic he will know the immense difference on the scoreboard was not reflected in on-field ruthlessness and precision.

Not even a scoreline that emphatic could disguise some glaring home truths. Due to captain Ashley Johnson’s sinbinning early in the first half and prop Eugene Maqwelana’s dismissal for punching seven minutes before the break, the Spears contested the fixture with 14 men for a cumulative 57 minutes. The fact that no point was scored in the opening 25 minutes even with the Spears a man down for 10 of them is damning.

What will worry Van der Merwe is the failure of the Stormers’ most obvious strength, their all-star backline, to fire for a second successive week – despite almost wholesale changes in personnel. In contrast the supposed weakness, the pack, demonstrated the required skill and experience to overcome the excuberance of the visitors.

Eleven tries (six being delivered by the backline) may suggest otherwise, but only three of the five pointers were well constructed backline efforts. The opening four scores went to forwards, providing the platform from which the backs could capitalise after the inevitability of fatigue crept into scrambling Spears legs.

Most concerning was the performance of Peter Grant. His distribution was cumbersome and he showed neither the anticipation nor timing to allow the talent outside him to profit. Jean de Villiers provided an occasional moment of brilliance, but when he couldn’t the backs couldn’t – a testament to the general ineffectiveness of Grant.

His failure to kick the opening three conversions, resulting in Werner Greeff and then Neil de Kock inheriting the goalkicking responsibility, provided another reason why the Stormers coaching staff cannot hand him jersey 10 with any conviction heading into the Super 14.

Solace can be found in the performance of flankers Luke Watson and Schalk Burger. Watson, in particular, shone. Freed up to fulfil the specialist role as opensider, his turnovers in the 6th and 23rd minutes came at moments when the Spears could sense a scoring opportunity was a phase away. His elusive running with ball in hand resulted in two deserved scores, and ultimately the impression of his performance was of a player rejuvenated.

Equally, Burger’s performance as a dedicated blindsider showcased his value when tasked with ball carrying as a primary responsibility. So often the carrier from second-phase, he made ground with regularity and ensured his side operated on the front foot throughout. His defence around channels one and two was typically brutal.

The inevitable question of Hanyani Shimange’s claims as first-choice hooker was raised for the first time this year by the 30 minute cameo delivered by Schalk Brits. Shimange was solid, scoring the opening try and his throwing was consistent, but Brits just added that other dimension. His pace and hands made tries for Jongi Nokwe in the 70th and then Joe Pietersen in the 78th minute, and his value in a faster and looser game was evident.

Ultimately the rout provided the Stormers with a timeous cobweb-clearing and confidence-boosting exercise, but any other deductions from the game would be folly. The Spears came to spoil, but when down to 14 men could not prevent the avalanche of tries that resulted.

SCORERS

Stormers

Tries: Hanyani Shimange, Luke Watson 2, Ross Skeate, Jean de Villiers, Rayno Benjamin 2, Schalk Burger, Jongi Nokwe 2 and Joe Pietersen
Cons: Werner Greeff 3 and Neil de Kock 6

**Sinbin: JD Moller (33 min)

Spears

Try: Spencer Wakeling

**Sinbin: Ashley Johnson (14 min)
**Sent off: Eugene Maqwelana (33 min)


52 Comments

  • 1.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 17:52 pm

    hulle gaan ge-spies word

  • 2.Tisme: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 17:59 pm

    Go Spears!!!!!

    :-)

  • 3.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:01 pm

    Headlines tomorrow:

    Mountain Goats Speared!

  • 4.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:02 pm

    gary botha off the field in the 2nd bulls / sharks game – probably concussion

  • 5.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:02 pm

    suig my tiette knadas

  • 6.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:05 pm

    You wish!

  • 7.Tisme: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:07 pm

    Hey PA, usually you are quite good with spelling…. afternoon getting long?

  • 8.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:09 pm

    no tisme, that one was well thought out and is the new knadas. he has been re-born

  • 9.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:11 pm

    sill cant spell tiete!

  • 10.Tisme: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:11 pm

    Should be worried, stormers taking a long time to score!

  • 11.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:11 pm

    still

  • 12.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:13 pm

    hehehhe

    sill

    classic

    uck of

  • 13.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:18 pm

    oes

  • 14.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:19 pm

    oi, looks like percy is kicking like a girl again. pienaar having a decent game. looks like my sharkies are going down this time.

  • 15.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:19 pm

    hehehehe

    i have no comeback

  • 16.keg: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:23 pm

    bulls 17-3 sharks.57mins 2nd half

  • 17.Mackie: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:27 pm

    Stormers have a supposed effective backline, hmmmmm where the tries then? Perhaps the spears are given em all sorts of hell.
    Doesnt bode well for the super 14, mountain goats better get their business in order.

  • 18.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:28 pm

    stormers to get relegated.

  • 19.keg: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:28 pm

    stormers sukkel teen spears? ruik ek ‘n upset of het die hond gekak?

  • 20.Bluecap: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:35 pm

    Ek sal nie geupset wees nie.

  • 21.Mackie: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:36 pm

    Oh and its the Stormers first choice boys out there too.
    Thats really not good!

  • 22.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:36 pm

    ey, didnt they get relegated as province before?

  • 23.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:36 pm

    Uhm

    Stormers couldn’t score while Johnson is in the bin!!!???

    Uhm…

  • 24.BrumbyIV: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:37 pm

    are they playing soccer?

  • 25.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:39 pm

    Go STORMERS !!! he he one try down ,,, more to follow.

    We need to convince against the spears.

  • 26.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:40 pm

    Kandas and Kners …

    the empty can rattles the most.

  • 27.Bluecap: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:42 pm

    DRATS!!! Come on Spears!!

  • 28.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:43 pm

    Bluecap …. think again buddy 10 – 0

    GO STORMERS

  • 29.Bluecap: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:45 pm

    I know….. Much pain!!!

  • 30.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:46 pm

    PA , i think we are going to put a cricket score on em ……. !!

  • 31.Bluecap: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:47 pm

    Grief!!! GO STORMERS!!!

  • 32.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:48 pm

    spears backline looks good, tight five is struggling though, these boys get some decent okes in the oven they will do well

  • 33.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:49 pm

    PA,

    how are our wingers doing? getting good ball?

    And Luke watson?

  • 34.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:52 pm

    snoop, stormers are actually my second team (after sharks), thats what 6 years in stellies gets u. so u r right about the empty can bit :-) .

  • 35.Derek Noble: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:56 pm

    Why is Greef kicking for goal? I thought that was Grant’s job?

  • 36.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:57 pm

    luke scored.

    scrappy game

    huge fight, one spears dude red carded and moller form stormers yellow carded

  • 37.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:58 pm

    greef is kicking cause grant is all we got

  • 38.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 18:59 pm

    obviously practising – hell he won a game against Oz for us! go sicknote!

  • 39.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 19:03 pm

    Thanks PA , another name for sicknote is up and under, if you know what I mean.

  • 40.Mackie: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 19:04 pm

    Pissant, who was fighting?
    Surely not little Moller?

  • 41.Derek Noble: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 19:05 pm

    PA: are you watching the game? Is it on TV?

  • 42.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 19:07 pm

    Derek,

    I think he is at the game … must be really

  • 43.Kandas: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 19:08 pm

    snoop

    ruggaworld.blogspot.com

  • 44.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 19:14 pm

    Kandas,

    Your a champ !!! shot bud.

  • 45.snoop: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2006, 20:06 pm

    Yep, as I thought ..cricket score.

    Pity they had a red card.

  • 46.Zhak: Reply to this comment
    29 Jan 2006, 03:33 am

    “timeous”

  • 47.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    29 Jan 2006, 08:49 am

    73-5? Is that all?

    The Southern Spares are ALREADY the laughing stock of world rugby!

    The Crusaders will surely snot them by at least 150 points!

  • 48.snoop: Reply to this comment
    29 Jan 2006, 10:05 am

    Tackler is nothing but a bitter ex pat who left SA during the famous CHICKEN RUN.

    Now he has no real home.

    Shame.

  • 49.g-man: Reply to this comment
    29 Jan 2006, 13:05 pm

    Somebody’s gotta give that Spencer Wakeling oak a contract, because he is a great centre !!!!

  • 50.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    30 Jan 2006, 10:42 am

    Tackler – have you already forgotten what I told you?

  • 51.Silent Bob: Reply to this comment
    30 Jan 2006, 11:02 am

    mmm … tackler doos … er … mmmm

  • 52.snoop: Reply to this comment
    30 Jan 2006, 13:34 pm

    The chicken is back in its coop.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.