Three try flurry saves Stormers

Three try flurry saves Stormers

21 Apr 2006

Three tries in four minutes midway through the second half propelled the Stormers to their third away victory of the Vodacom Super 14 when they downed the Reds 24-20 in Brisbane.

The dance of the desperates never promised much, and errors plagued both side’s attempts to play constructively. The Stormers were further hamstrung by poor decision making – particularly at halfback – and a defensively frail back three. But for their four minute purple match, they did not threaten the Reds line with any conviction.

Credit, however, has to go to under-fire Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe. His tactical decisions have been questionable this season, but tonight in Brisbane he got it right.

Last week the substitution of Naas Olivier after 50 minutes was a major contibuting factor to the defeat to the Chiefs. Now the same move was the catalyst to victory.

Olivier endured a disappointing first half, and the simulatenous injection of Peter Grant at flyhalf and Joe Pietersen at fullback sparked the Stormers, and 13-3 became 13-24 in minutes.

The momentum, so convincingly wrenched from the Reds, was never going to be conceded and a late score through veteran centre Ben Tune was a shade less than consolation.

The performance, coming after two consecutive defeats, was vital in the context of the Cape side’s season. The quality of the opposition was not great, but with the Crusaders, Sharks and Bulls to come, the Stormers knew that a win was crucial.

The confidence boost and familiar surroundings could well prove the cocktail that lifts the Stormers to a late season charge, ensuring respectability and – more importantly – time for the existing coaching staff and management.

Van der Merwe is a realist, and will know that the victory does not camouflage some home truths. Tonderai Chavhanga is not a fullback, he possesses neither the defensive ability or positional sense to inspire the most brittle confidence. His place is on the wing.

Jongi Nokwe, who later atoned through an 80 metre try, produced another wobbly with ball in hand and Rayno Benjamin was just plain appalling.

De Wet Barry, slated for the defeat against the Chiefs and caught up in the captaincy storm that followed, was immense in his return to jersey 12. Barry is not a 13 and if Van der Merwe cannot accomodate him as a 12 then he cannot accomodate him in the starting side.

Jean de Villiers underlined his split rugby personality further by again providing flashes of genius on attack, before fading to a ghost on defence. It was his awful attempt at a first-time tackle on Drew Mitchell that saw the Reds out to their convincing half time lead.

The Stormers return to Cape Town with renewed hope, but it is vital that perspective is maintained. The Reds in Brisbane are an entirely different prospect to the Crusaders in Cape Town, and it is the fixtures with the champions, semi-final chasing Sharks and arch enemies the Bulls that will decide whether the Cape side’s campaign will be deemed acceptable.

At this stage of the season, however, the Stormers will take what they get. Victory, no matter the opposition or the circumstance, is good enough for now.

THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER

78 mins: Consolation for the Reds through Ben Tune. Huxley converts. (Huxley 2/5)

60 mins: De Villiers inches from an intercept score. He knocks on unfortunately and it’s a Reds scrum.

58 mins: Stormers on fire! They score their try of the season with awesome work from De Villiers, Benjamin and Barry. Great support lines and handling sees Gerrie Britz under the poles. Grant converts. (Grant 3/3)

56 mins: Nokwe atones for a poor game with an 80m try. His control in dribbling from his own line is impressive and he has the pace and composure to score. Grant converts from in front , and the Stormers snatch the lead. (Grant 2/2)

54 mins: Stormers coach Kobus van der Merwe introduces Peter Grant and Joe Pietersen and it has an immediate impact. Strength in contact from Grant and fine touches from Pietersen see Brits make the scoring pass to Van Niekerk. Grant converts. (Grant 1/1)

51 mins: Andries Bekker is penalised for mountaineering, a call captain Barry and Bekker contest to no avail. Huxley to push the Reds out further … he’s missed an absolute sitter. (Huxley 1/4)

48 mins: Benjamin having a shocker. He knocks on again after a well worked Watson/Brits blindside move.

43 mins: 5m scrum sees Van Niekerk carry the ball strongly. It comes back to Olivier but he takes the wrong option and knocks on in heavy traffic.

42 mins: Stormers make a few metres through one-off runners, and the Reds concede the penalty. Barry instructs Olivier to go for the lineout, which is knocked on by the Reds. 5m scrum.

39 mins: Luke Watson makes a scrambling cover tackle that saves a certain score. Stormers’ line again broken with ease.

38 mins: Benjamin with an appalling clearance. The back three continue to struggle.

30 mins: Jean de Villiers AGAIN misses a routine tackle, he makes a pathetic attempt on Mitchell and the Wallaby flyer is through. Appalling, unacceptable defence. Huxley misses the conversion. (Huxley 1/3)

29 mins: Benjamin knocks the rolling ball. It’s not getting any better for those wearing 11,14 and 15.

26 mins: Great chase by Barry and fierce contesting by Burger wins the Stormers a vital penalty against the run of play. Big moments from the two Boks. Olivier has the chance to reduce the lead to two. He pushes it. (Olivier 1/2)

23 mins: Stormers back three on the ropes. Probing kicks behind Benjamin are also finding acres of space. Reds unlucky not to score from a maul when they’re pinged for accidental offside.

19 mins: Back three again appear shaky. Chavhanga takes the ball back into his 22 before clearing, thus the lineout is from where he kicked it. Reds showing a willingness to exploit Chavhanga and Nokwe’s brittle defence

18 mins: Reds not helping their cause by terrible tactical kicking. Second kick out on the full in 4 minutes.

16 mins: Simple high ball spilled by Nokwe.

14 mins: Good incisive attack by the Stormers. Barry and Chavhanga make good ground, but Nokwe is crowded out.

11 mins: Stormers retain possession well and get it within a metre. Reds pinged and this time Barry opts for the three. No problem for Olivier. (Olivier 1/1)

9 mins: Kickable penlty, and the Stormers opt for the lineout. Brave play.

7 mins: Naas Olivier’s attempted clearance is charged down, and from the resultant scrambling ruck De Wet Barry is pinged for hands. Gives Huxley the simplest chance to extend the lead, and he does. (Huxley 1/2)

6 mins: Reds inches away from another linebreak, this time in the Stormers 22. It’s tips of the fingers stuff for Drew Mitchell, and he just can’t hold on. Again, Stormers seem defensively frail out wide.

3 mins: Stormers start badly, as is now routine. They kick away a lot of possession early and concede a soft try to the rampaging Rodney Blake from close out.Julian Huxley has the chance to convert, but he pulls it. (Huxley 0/1)

SCORERS

Reds

Tries: Rodney Blake, Drew Mitchell and Ben Tune
Con: Julian Huxley
Pen: Huxley

Stormers

Tries: Joe van Niekerk, Jongi Nokwe and Gerrie Britz
Cons: Peter Grant 3
Pen: Naas Olivier

By Chris Hewitt


423 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 » Show All

  • 1.Moeg gewag: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:21 am

    someone streaming link for this game

  • 2.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:22 am

    Another loose

  • 3.Moeg gewag: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:23 am

    nee man wees positief

  • 4.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:24 am

    Don’t hold your breath for a Stormers win here….

  • 5.Sharkinthethames: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:25 am

    no chance!!!!!

  • 6.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:26 am

    I just have a feeling the stormers will sneak this one today.

  • 7.Kolonel DJ: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:27 am

    Nee hier is ek nie positief nie ek was vir die chhetahs bad luck (Gaffie) maar ja sorry stormers gaan verloor

  • 8.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:27 am

    Stormers poep is uit , hulle kan nie meer rugby speel nie.

  • 9.bok_befok: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:28 am

    Andre_WP,

    bly positief ou pel. Ons moet by hulle staan. Deur dik en dun.

  • 10.Kolonel DJ: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:28 am

    Quinn
    Gaan huis toe pak jou klere en sleep

  • 11.Moeg gewag: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:29 am

    is hier iemand wat die socers kan update, soos CSI, aan gesien hier geen streaming is nie

  • 12.Cycloid: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:29 am

    As die stormers die reds wen dan reken ek die Bulls moet dadelik sommer ge-religate word want wragtig!

    Hul moet ‘n Super B league maak met fir Force en die SA teams! Ek is seker geen SA span sal daai ene kan wen nie!

  • 13.Sremrots: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:29 am

    Come on my Stormers , You can do it , You can do it .Make us proud with 10 points earned on your tour.

  • 14.Brads: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:29 am

    Lets see here.

    The Reds are **** but the Stormers are ****.

    Help me here! Tell me why I should care who wins!

  • 15.bok_befok: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:29 am

    Stormers will get it together. They have heard that NM is there and is **** scared of loosing their places to high school kids.

  • 16.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:30 am

    Kolonel DJ

    My vrou het dit gaan doen vir my.

  • 17.pale_toe: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:30 am

    moeg i think we have been down this road before. your best option would be kudu.

  • 18.Kolonel DJ: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:30 am

    Ja ok kom Moffies vat die manne vas en maak van die reds a spektakel

  • 19.jondood: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:30 am

    Will the end of this game lead to my 2nd puke of the day?

  • 20.Provvas: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:31 am

    Stormers moet net in hulself glo en vergeet wat fester hulle geleer het…..speel oop rugby, julle het niks om te verloor nie….nie eers meer dignity nie!!!
    Go Stormers!!!

  • 21.ciccino: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:32 am

    jondood
    considering the stormer’s attitude this year you are for some more puking today.

  • 22.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:32 am

    bok

    Ai maat , ek het al moed opgegee. Maar kom ons kyk wat gebeur vanoggend. Hierdie een moet ons eenvoudig net wen.

  • 23.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:32 am

    Brokeback boys go red in the face.

  • 24.Moeg gewag: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:32 am

    look likethat to me aswell.

    Is someone infront of a tv atleast that can give us faster updates?

  • 25.Fowkit: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:32 am

    Stomers to have a blinder today. They will win by at least 10 points!

  • 26.Stan: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:32 am

    Kom julle Rugridders, verras ons deur vandag nie te ver te verloor nie?
    Of selfs te wen?

  • 27.cab: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:33 am

    yeah, the stormers can take this, they travel better than the bulls.

  • 28.Staal: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:33 am

    Nee-wat die Stormers gaat hulle ‘n snot klap gee!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 29.Brads: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:34 am

    jondood

    Considering you have had puke #1 – the answer is yes!

  • 30.CoffeeshopBok;-): Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:34 am

    Cool, now who to blame in this game…?

  • 31.pale_toe: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:35 am

    they win ,and everyone says who cares, they should of anyway. they lose and its just another confirmation of there lack of fire/form. this is the typical situation in which this stormers side will perform. they don’t do to well under pressure. thats why they always lose at home.

  • 32.cab: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:36 am

    coffee, in case of a loss standard operating procedure dicates: Fester, the ref, De Wet Barry in that order.

  • 33.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:36 am

    Kom Stormers laat daar nou 3 van ons spanne wen die naweek. Stormers, Sharks en Cats :)

  • 34.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:36 am

    De Wet Barry we can blame him.

  • 35.cab: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:37 am

    actually lately i see the stormers fans have moved The Law up their blame list.

  • 36.breeker: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:37 am

    the second fester mentioned playing barry at 13 mallet should have slapped him across the face………..twice

  • 37.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:38 am

    Live commentry somewhere ?

  • 38.cab: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:39 am

    its a new low in weepee rugby when the coach and the players get blamed before the ref.

  • 39.Brads: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:39 am

    pale_toe

    Did you check the thread before you posted that comment?

  • 40.breeker: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:39 am

    Barry should move to the Bulls. All they are really missing is a good defensive crash ball centre, well that and an ability to win away from home.

  • 41.Bluestripe: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:39 am

    54 seconds…Try BARRY!!!

  • 42.cab: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:40 am

    Barry should move to the cats, where he’s be embraced with open arms.

  • 43.pale_toe: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:40 am

    brads,

    as a matter of fact i did. i think the only mistake was there = their.

  • 44.amabokfan: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:40 am

    stormers will lose…again!!
    lyk corne said, they lack xperince in key positions! bring back lardy, flecky + d man himself…corne

  • 45.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:41 am

    Scrum Stormers – Lucky the Reds player knocked on

  • 46.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:42 am

    Try Reds

  • 47.WK: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:43 am

    Barry gaan 16 “red’s” vandag sien. 15 Spelers en 1 kaart.

  • 48.Stormer: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:43 am

    so why did we kick that ball away and let the attack?

  • 49.Quinntessential: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:43 am

    Mallet should tell the P.I’s to watch this game and then they will fully grasp why he is seeking a few of them to come and help out.

  • 50.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    21 Apr 2006, 11:43 am

    Good skill from Huxley to gather his kick forward

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 » Show All

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.