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
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21 Apr 2006, 12:26 pm
Ben M, Take a swig of whiskey and the jokes become even funnier.
21 Apr 2006, 12:27 pm
I hope that some people might now see how overrated and weak the back three is.
Total liabilty.
But quotas we must have.
21 Apr 2006, 12:27 pm
Munkiboi,
people are watching those games ‘cose they are sa rugby supporters and hope that this time our guys can do it right. And it repeats every week.
21 Apr 2006, 12:27 pm
I feel your pain…
21 Apr 2006, 12:28 pm
nothing to do with quotas Stan, they just cant tackle, much like the cats.
21 Apr 2006, 12:28 pm
If the Springboks are playing so badly, then why aren’t they getting replaced? Hasn’t the Stormers back three worked on fielding kicks this past week? If not, then why weren’t they replaced? It seems that either way, the coach isn’t doing his job. Even if the players aren’t pulling their weight, its the coach’s job to do something about it.
21 Apr 2006, 12:28 pm
Enjoy Gents I’m gonna go get some excitement from a baguette shop down the road.
21 Apr 2006, 12:29 pm
JdV also missed a routine tackle last year against England or Ireland (forget but think yhe former). Percy was balmed but it was JdV (same hair colour – at least then). Resulted in a try.
JdV can’t tackle!
BTW, East Coast Radio were playing Shaggy’s “It wasn’t me” at that moment – trying to find on-line commentary or at least ‘verbal’ updates.
21 Apr 2006, 12:29 pm
CSB 141 Yes – you breach the @#$$ rule about running back into your 22 & the line out is from where you kick it.
I guess this is what Corne means about inexperience. Trouble is the loose trio don’t hunt as a pack and the Boks players don’t have any influence on the rest.
The Reds really are **** though and the Streamers incredibly disorganised. Playing just like the Cats. I don’t think that the coach can give this side the necesary confidence to improve. They need to ditch half the players (any half it would not matter) and the coach.
21 Apr 2006, 12:29 pm
Stormers: the Cats of Super14…
21 Apr 2006, 12:29 pm
146,
miskien moet die bokke in die span liewers waai – dis nie fester wat aanslaan en tackles mis en stupid besluite op die veld neem nie.
21 Apr 2006, 12:29 pm
Who’s playing flyhalf. Tell him to kick the ball into Reds half!!!
21 Apr 2006, 12:30 pm
kyer,
it is all about giving a v*k. if you feel nothing for the team/coach you are playing for you are not going to tackle. period. this is the probabaly the major problem. coaches should be managers of people. make them want to perform.
21 Apr 2006, 12:30 pm
baie waar staal
21 Apr 2006, 12:30 pm
Stormers:
Can’t tackle
Can’t pass
Can’t draw and pass when they have numbers
They turn the ball over…and this is only half the problem, I understand everyones frustration on here. I’m not from SA, but as a rugby fan, this is ridiculous!!!
21 Apr 2006, 12:31 pm
Stan,
this is the worst back 3 you can imagine. Chavanga is not fullback. all of them inexperiensed and liability under the high ball. Nokwe is owerrated as has nothing else beside his speed. though I like benjamin at least at the beggining of the competition he looked better of the 2 wings.
21 Apr 2006, 12:31 pm
The talented Joe.
Watson for Bok captain.
Burger the breaker.
Bwahahaaa!!!!!!!!
21 Apr 2006, 12:31 pm
people complained about the bulls gameplan but we never hear them complain about the stormers
21 Apr 2006, 12:31 pm
At least there is no relegation this year. I t would be disastrous to see Cats or stormers relegated. Might have made TV viewing a bit less stressfull though.
21 Apr 2006, 12:31 pm
That Stormer’s wing – the one that looks like a photographic negative – is that honestly THEEEE best wing that they can come up with?
JVD’s having a shocker – all talk no action that guy.
21 Apr 2006, 12:32 pm
dont be too harsh of joe van niekerk. he should be playing vodacom cup at the moment, but the coaches are too desperate, so they risk the players fitness, form and confidence.
we all know he’s class, and has just come back from injury – its not the players fault, and anyone doubting his ability is a moron in my opinion.
21 Apr 2006, 12:32 pm
kyer, Anything but kick.
21 Apr 2006, 12:32 pm
Maak die Stormers almal buk…
Sorry hulle doen dit vanself
21 Apr 2006, 12:32 pm
Stan,
Hate to agree with you but quota’s suck! (I am now going to throw up for agreeing with Stanley, who by the way lives in TSWANE)
21 Apr 2006, 12:32 pm
sarky#149, I found it difficult to believe at first considering it is something that should be well known from school rugby!
21 Apr 2006, 12:32 pm
Stan, erm … how did the bulls go against the reds again?
21 Apr 2006, 12:33 pm
De Villiers, Burger, Chavanga, Benjamin, Conradie, Nokwe, Van Niekerk, Barry – All extremely ****
21 Apr 2006, 12:33 pm
raait, die Reds is nie goed genoeg nie!!!
2′e helfde gaat die Stormers oorvat en bonuspunt kry!!!! Ek is gatvol verloor!!
21 Apr 2006, 12:33 pm
ciccino,
maybe they should paint a wallet on the ball.
Then you will see them take that ball, anywhere, anyplace and will not be stopped until they are 3 blocks away!
21 Apr 2006, 12:33 pm
It doesn’t matter. You can complain about the players all you want, but it’s just a waste of energy. It’s the coach’s job to manage them and select them.
21 Apr 2006, 12:34 pm
Half time. The sad fact is that JdV is playing like an absolute rabbit. He can’t have any confidence.
Conradie is not that great, more a de Kok type game where you need to relieve the pressure on Olivier who is not the next Naas Botha.
I’d put JdV at full back, straight swop. Get rid of Conradie and keep the play amongst the forwards and loosies.
21 Apr 2006, 12:34 pm
Frazer, Barry is actually playing well at the moment. Are you watching the game?
21 Apr 2006, 12:35 pm
zhak, but come on what options does he have, he has to select the springboks, if thats the best we have, and its not good enough, why blame fester?
hell last week, the team that everyone wanted took to the field and got mullered by the chiefs.
21 Apr 2006, 12:35 pm
Zhak you’re almost right….however it’s not the coaches job to select them. That’s being done by the politicians
21 Apr 2006, 12:36 pm
Lol Stan(179).But 3 blocks still wont make it over the try line.
21 Apr 2006, 12:36 pm
drunkmonkey – thats because there is NO gameplan to criticise. that said we are all sitting here criticising the entire performance.
with the bulls, they are so close to being a real force in this competition, that it is a lot easier to see what tweaks they need to be a consisatent top 4 performer.
so really i dont see the point of your post other than it being more of the normal bulls supporter paranoia that everyone hates you and blah blah blah.
21 Apr 2006, 12:36 pm
cab,
erm, how did the cats do against anybody?
Stormsaam, pool acid is a very good preventative measure against nausea.
Permanently.
21 Apr 2006, 12:36 pm
Maybe the stormers should get quintin davids. I mean oke was a great player…
Its a tradegy that he has never captained stormers before
21 Apr 2006, 12:37 pm
Staal #161,
Miskien spaar hulle hulleself vir die groot geld later in die jaar ?
http://www.rugby365.com/COLUMNISTS/Second_Phase/index.shtml
Why risk losing out on up to ZAR975,000 (US$161,200) in Test match fees – the Boks will play 13 Tests this year, including the unofficial international against the World XV – just to impress critics in the Super 14, when you already know you are guaranteed a spot in the international arena?”
“
21 Apr 2006, 12:37 pm
well we beat the chiefs.
21 Apr 2006, 12:37 pm
Pale_toe
I remember playing an U12 match out in the Boland against all those tough Afrikaans schools. We made the semi finals but lost. The team we played against lost their centre in that game. Their coach then asked our coach if I would play for them. I never missed atackle and had the game of my life and even scored a try. I was playing for the team even though they were our opposition. Maybe professionalism blinds a modern rugby player.
21 Apr 2006, 12:37 pm
For Barry – playing well is catching the ball – what’s your point Zhak?
21 Apr 2006, 12:38 pm
Kyer,
The reason there is no relegation this year is that it is a possibilty that the Stormers could come last.
Before, when it was deemed the sharks would finish last it was all go for relegation, now it’s the most powerful rugby union that may get dropped, SARFU change the rules.
Bok selection follows along the same lines, as long as no team has more players in the squad than WP then it’s OK.
21 Apr 2006, 12:38 pm
Drunkmonkey
No one are complaining about the stormers gameplan because there is no Fuc$ing game plan stormers and there coach are a bunch of time and money wasting poe#ols
21 Apr 2006, 12:38 pm
Anvil, I wish I could slug back a whiskey, but unfortunately us salary-men cant get away with that. Quotas cant explain the colletive **** regularly dished up by SA rugby players of all hues. Unless JDV is a quota. Ha! He had me fooled for a moment there with his pale skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, but now I see through him! Jean you township hack you!
21 Apr 2006, 12:38 pm
sorry Ciccino,
i was commenting on your post 127, The reason the boks do so **** is because they are sure of there places in the bokteam.
21 Apr 2006, 12:39 pm
cab, if the Springboks are underperforming but they’re still the best players and they’re still being coached to their potential, then you would have to accept that the Stormers are playing to their full potential at the moment. I don’t think anyone believes a region with probably the largest player base in the Super 14 and the most support is playing to its potential.
21 Apr 2006, 12:39 pm
coach, is this fester?
21 Apr 2006, 12:39 pm
drunkmonkey,
Jou nugter broer is reg.
Die Bulle het soms n kak gameplan.
Die Windbukse het glad nie een nie.
21 Apr 2006, 12:39 pm
Cab
))
and Bull got major tounglashing from thier fans.
Stan – 179
LOL
If you print a wallet on the ball they won’t be able to run 3 blocks with it as they will be tackled by thier teammate.
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