Fine-tuning crucial in Boland bout
29 Jan 2009
Rassie Erasmus says his loose trio should benefit from Saturday’s clash as the Stormers look to curb their breakdown shortcomings.
Most experts will tell you the Super 14 is won and lost at the tackle point. It’s no surprise that every champion Super Rugby team has boasted a champion set of loose forwards, and it’s no surprise that every coach places an emphasis on this area in preparation for each campaign.
The Stormers were a mixed bag in this department last Sunday but will not have an opportunity to improve with a first-choice back row against Boland. Schalk Burger is nursing an ankle injury while Francois Louw damaged his own ankle during the Saracens match.
Luke Watson, Pieter Louw and Boetie Britz will start in Wellington and Erasmus has stressed the need for his loosies to get it right against the fiery Bolanders.
“We had a chance to look at the video and there were probably an equal amount of turnovers [in that Saracens game] for both teams which indicates a very competitive contest,” he told keo.co.za. “We were good at the breakdown on defence but not so awesome on attack, and it’s definitely something we want to improve on against Boland.”
One would have expected Duane Vermeulen to receive another start given he’s only had one match for the Stormers since moving down from the Cheetahs. Erasmus agreed Vermeulen made his mark against Saracens, but feels a few other fringe players deserve a run.
Erasmus, of course, already knows what Vermeulen has to offer having coached him at the Cheetahs in 2006 and 2007.
“He made a lot of steals and ball carries against Saracens, and made a big contribution at the lineout. He’s not a flashy player but he contests well in every area. I couldn’t have asked for a better first effort.
“Duane had quite a bit of game against UCT in the games before the warm-ups, so we are not worried. Schalk will also be taking contact again next week and we may opt for a match simulation to ensure he is contact-ready.”
Watson will start at No 8 for the second game in a row and seems the favourite to wear this shirt throughout the Super 14. Erasmus maintains he doesn’t believe in opensides or blindsides, and that loose forwards should be versatile enough to slot in according to the situation.
“In my back row, it doesn’t matter what number a loose forward wears on his back,” he said.
By Jon Cardinelli
236 Comments
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29 Jan 2009, 17:12 pm
#191 Sheriff: too true. sometimes a ma’am thrown in can be a pearler too.
my old man always said ladies deserve courtesy, even when they dont deserve it.
#193 charo: eish, inland view, great for sundowners! but you know i’m always available for a drink and a chune larney!
gotta go run around like a headless chicken people, thanks for the laughs again. if anyone sees jinx, send him my regards.
29 Jan 2009, 17:12 pm
#194 carol:
I’ve always held the view that it is not so much about quantity but quality.
Some bloggers are compelling.
People dont have to like you to be compelling, but some bloggers have that ability to “make you read all their posts”
Those are the kinds of bloggers we shud invest in.
29 Jan 2009, 17:17 pm
Anyway guys, chat later (if possible)
29 Jan 2009, 17:19 pm
#197 Pietman: I’ll do my best, although quite difficult with you in Korea, Grant in S.A and me in England!!
Just behave :d:
29 Jan 2009, 17:20 pm
29 Jan 2009, 17:21 pm
#202 Sheriff:
Do you read my posts?
Please say yes.
Sometimes I feel people are just scrolliong me by, like old skoppie, ET and those…
29 Jan 2009, 17:21 pm
#196 WP Till I Die:
buy any pictures last night?
29 Jan 2009, 17:22 pm
#199 WP Till I Die: Keep that flame thrower away from me, it could ruin my hair, and I would be really mad
Are the smileys not working too?
29 Jan 2009, 17:24 pm
#204 carol:
Will do.
No worries.
I will behave, just because YOU say so…
29 Jan 2009, 17:25 pm
#202 Sheriff: I know what you mean, however the posts I just scroll past are in some funny foreign language………I can’t make head or tail of most of it!!
29 Jan 2009, 17:26 pm
#206 Pietman:
Every single one.
29 Jan 2009, 17:26 pm
#203 Sheriff:
Ok Mr Peacekeeper, take care.
29 Jan 2009, 17:26 pm
#209 Pietman: That is a great answer!! Thanks a million!! I can’t go through another “Tuesday” again!! Heheheh
29 Jan 2009, 17:27 pm
#210 carol:
I understand but there is someone here who has really gone the extra mile to assist you with that difficult.
Those are the kind of friends we shud invest in!
29 Jan 2009, 17:27 pm
#207 charo:
Nope – went to support my flatmate’s fiancée, she exhibited there. Plenty of beautiful, erudite women there, though, so I had an enjoyable time.
29 Jan 2009, 17:33 pm
#214 Sheriff: You are quite right actually I can understand the odd word or two now!! Thanks to GBS, my Afrikkans teacher.
Till later chaps……
29 Jan 2009, 17:41 pm
I need a distraction… ditract me please
29 Jan 2009, 17:44 pm
HAS ANYONE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SITED TODAY? It is driving me mad.
Need the ” Quick Links” back soon.
Had trouble trying to log on and cant open some of the threads also sometimes cant sumit a comment. It just logs me off?
29 Jan 2009, 17:45 pm
#218 Puma: sited = site
29 Jan 2009, 17:47 pm
#218 Puma: Yup, me too
29 Jan 2009, 17:47 pm
#217 SpringbokSarah:
Look left.
29 Jan 2009, 17:50 pm
#220 SpringbokSarah: Thanks Sarah at least I know its not only me.
Now this is the 3rd time I am going to try and submit this. Everytime I press the submit it just goes to (This website page cannot be shown) Driving me crackers. If it happens again will just blog tomorrow until its sorted out.
29 Jan 2009, 17:51 pm
#221 WP Till I Die: At the window?
29 Jan 2009, 17:52 pm
#222 Puma: Same, are they working on the site?
29 Jan 2009, 17:56 pm
#224 SpringbokSarah: I think they are Sarah. Saw Roy say here yesterday they were working on something new.
Just went into another thread and could not get back into this one. Finally did.
Just going to log off and try later. Cheers Postive one. Our cricket team plays their last odi tomorrow in Oz.
29 Jan 2009, 18:52 pm
167 wpboytjie:looking for fight?with the likes of you around its no wonder luke wants to puke on the bok jersey but instead of puking on the jersey he should rather puke on scum dutchies like you and pietman.
29 Jan 2009, 18:55 pm
172 wpboytjie:and smelly too.
29 Jan 2009, 19:11 pm
#225 Puma: Watch how none of my teachers are gonna teach
#226 khoisanking: issues much
29 Jan 2009, 19:42 pm
i came to this site today with absolute peaceful intentions but was met with racist garbage thrown at me by pietman and wpboytjie and thus had to respond.it should be clear to other bloggers who’s the real instigators on this site.if the likes of pietman and wpboytjie can just remove their race tainted glasses this country would be a better place for all of us. i apologise if i offended other bloggers with my comments today.
29 Jan 2009, 19:57 pm
Whoahh!! Had difficulty signing into KEO this morning (for two hours). Thought I was banned
What’s going on everyone?#218 Puma:
29 Jan 2009, 19:58 pm
#218 Puma: Thank God Puma, I thought I was losing my mind today
29 Jan 2009, 19:59 pm
#220 SpringbokSarah: HI Sarah, you had problems too. I thought it was an attack against the USA
29 Jan 2009, 20:12 pm
#231 JimT: hahahaha. Hello Jim. Yeah it is driving me crazy just cant get onto keo. Took me ages again. Think Roy is working on something new. Read that yesterday. Think thats what is causing the problem here. Everyone must be experiencing the same. Normally this time there are many more logged on.
Will come back tomorrow to blog. Even trying to Submit it then just logs you off. Driving me crackers…hahahahaha. Cheers JimT.
29 Jan 2009, 22:08 pm
My standard 2 teacher did the same thing to. Whenever there was 5 day games on telly she would bring the tv to class and let us watch cricket. Btw that was way back 1994. Yes i’m talking about you Mrs Veroni
29 Jan 2009, 22:11 pm
#150 Dawn: Welcome back.
29 Jan 2009, 22:14 pm
Site’s dof. Maybe tomorrow .. see you through the window.
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