‘We’ve achieved nothing yet’
10 Feb 2010
The Stormers aren’t buying into the hype that they’re overwhelming favoruites to beat the Lions this Saturday.
First they won the Tri-Series, and then their second trophy in last week’s hammering of Boland at the new Cape Town Stadium. Hell, they even won the Newlands challenge when they beat the Cape Cobras in a cricket match. There’s a buzz around the Stormers which isn’t unbelievable. Three trophies in the space of a month. Give it up for the boys in blue.
Believe the marketing hype, and you’re bound to believe the Stormers are destined for greater things in 2010. The more educated Cape supporter will tell you to be careful. They’ll remind you that neither the Stormers nor WP have won a big competition since 2001.
If you can’t find a Stormers supporter willing to admit to their side’s past failings, ask one of the thousands of Bulls or Sharks fans residing in Cape Town. They’ll tell you that when it comes to the Super 14, the Stormers are pre-season champs and in-season chumps.
Nobody is more aware of this perception than Allister Coetzee, the new Stormers head coach. The media have gone huge with the pre-season success, but Coetzee and his captain Schalk Burger have worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the squad doesn’t become windgat. It’s this kind of attitude that’s got them into trouble before, and it’s why Coetzee laughed off talk that Saturday’s match against the Lions represents a soft start.
‘Talk is cheap – that’s the only message to my players in preparation for Saturday,’ he told keo.co.za. ‘There’s no easy game and we still have to go out and win.
‘We’ve achieved nothing yet, so there’s no need for arrogance. We all know that there’s a thin line between confidence and arrogance. Nobody wants to be caught off-guard, especially against an unpredictable side like the Lions. It’s going to be all business.’
The Stormers head into this year’s competition with two new senior Springboks, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana, at their disposal. Many have questioned the pair’s move to the underachieving Cape franchise, but Coetzee explains their value lies beyond their playing ability. Fourie and Habana will be called on to exercise their leadership skills as early as Round 1.
‘We are looking to our senior players to show some composure in the tight games, and that’s what we expect from Jaque and Bryan this Saturday. There are a number of leaders within the team, which is a good sign.’
While the Lions struggle at Super 14 level, they do usually save their best performances for the Stormers and WP. They beat WP at the back end of the 2009 Currie Cup, a defeat that cost Province an ‘easier’ semi-final against the Cheetahs, and also denied them the bonus point for four tries in the 2008 Super 14.
The Lions aren’t going to qualify for the play-offs, but they have every chance of punishing an overconfident team. Fortunately for Coetzee, the Stormers have worked hard to tick the humble box in the build up to Super 14 proper. Win or lose, they will now be judged by the rugby showings and not made to remember their pre-season promises.
By Jon Cardinelli
413 Comments
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10 Feb 2010, 08:55 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): Dude…the way I see it it that we outperformed you in the last three matches we played against you…and if you refuse to admit there are behind the scene problems at the Sharks then you should change yr nic to Volstruis Brussouw…
10 Feb 2010, 08:56 am
@WP Till I Die: Cocky. The bookies don’t think so. Describing the Sharks as a “sinking ship” is pretty much writing them off.
10 Feb 2010, 08:57 am
#48
Screw the Sharks…
They do not have a flyhalve, they have no centres and their front-row grunts in uncontested scrums. No fault of anyone bar John “Same tendencies as Kevin Putt” Plumtree.
You cannot talk up a team that even looks useless on paper.
10 Feb 2010, 09:01 am
@Storm outta hell: When last did you beat us in the S14? Also these behind the scenes conspiracy theories are a bit out of control. I have read and heard nothing concrete about it. But I am sure there are a few ego’s battling with each other, as there are in any side that has talent.
10 Feb 2010, 09:02 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
“The bookies don’t think so. Describing the Sharks as a “sinking ship” is pretty much writing them of”
The bookies playing rugby now are they? The Sharks are in at 13.8 to 1, placed 6th, so which bookies are you booking at?
If the Sharks cannot be labeled as a sinking ship, let’s use the old “We are in a re-building phase.” excuse.
10 Feb 2010, 09:03 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
As SOH said…volstruis
10 Feb 2010, 09:04 am
@thesaint: Wow, the odds have changed a lot in the last week. Seems every resident in CT is betting their house on the Stormers!
10 Feb 2010, 09:06 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
I see the Sharks on a feeding frenzy on a Stormers thread again, refusing to believe that Stormers supporters are optimistically cautious about our chances, and then we get taken to task for it.
Got to love the guppies !!!
10 Feb 2010, 09:08 am
Stormers are combined 7th, we weren’t the one bringing the professional gamblers into the picture, you were… now s-s-s-stutter!
10 Feb 2010, 09:08 am
@justrugby:
“optimistically cautious” thats a Understatement:)
10 Feb 2010, 09:09 am
optimistically cautious
Or
cautiously optimistic?
10 Feb 2010, 09:10 am
@Sonito:
Maybe cautiously semi-optimistic is how I’d describe it personally.
10 Feb 2010, 09:11 am
It really sucks being a Stormers Supporter…no matter what you say, you get sledged…
10 Feb 2010, 09:12 am
@thesaint: What are you saying? The Sharks are above the Stormers?
@justrugby: An optimistically cautious Stormers fan is a highly over-confident or windgat any other fan.
10 Feb 2010, 09:12 am
Ag let leave the Stormers to have their party and celebrations, it’s better to celebrate pre-season than to have not celebrated at all…LOL
10 Feb 2010, 09:13 am
@thesaint: Try being a Lions supporter…
10 Feb 2010, 09:14 am
@gunther:
You choose !
10 Feb 2010, 09:15 am
Sharks supporters raak al klaar weer moerig want hulle weet dis 5 jare van hiper kak wat voorle
10 Feb 2010, 09:16 am
i love rugby season. the banter has begun in earnest.
it makes me optimistically cautious
10 Feb 2010, 09:16 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
Yes, the Sharks are above the Stormers, as are the Bulls, the Hurricanes, The Blues, The Crusaders and The Brumbies, The Stormers are tied with the Chiefs.
I like their placing though, 14.6 to 1, meaning that if I had some change lying around, and everything goes well, I might make a few bucks. If not, ag well, it’ll teach me to be a Stormer.
10 Feb 2010, 09:19 am
Cape Argus Headline:
Bookies to lose millions in early S14 odds mix up.
Bookies around the world stand to lose millions during this years S14. The Stormers have been written off as tournament winners and are even rated behind the Sharks! However this mistake may lead to economic growth in the Cape area as CT residents pour their mortgages into the ‘sure thing Stormers’.
10 Feb 2010, 09:19 am
@Rum And Maple:
Just read an article on a Lions blog, from a guy living in Dubai…apparently **** Muir has already started working on his victory speech, and Baywatch is investigating which side is his best side for the Front Page Story…
You really need to come down hard on some supporters.
10 Feb 2010, 09:22 am
@Gary: lmao, stormers fans would know eh mate?
sharks fans are worried but i mnust say, the continuous rumour mill running in the cape has made me smile this pre-season:
sharks players all want to leave! (reality, only muller and albert have said they are leaving)
ruan unhappy, bizness unhappy, everyone unhappy and the sharks players have no gees!
etc etc etc yadda yadda yadda……
none of it substantiated, none of it in the press, just speculation driven by fear i suppose and maybe a bit of wishful thinking?
roll on rugby.
10 Feb 2010, 09:22 am
@rangerman: Gots to love it….
“T’was the week before S14, When all through this site,
All supporters were stirring…-even Lions and the like”
Lolz, happy days are back again.
10 Feb 2010, 09:22 am
@thesaint: Expectations like that can only be labelled as mentally optimistic…
But then again, the guy lives in Dubai… so… maybe it is sunstroke…
10 Feb 2010, 09:23 am
@rangerman
unlike luke who is optimistically nauseous….
10 Feb 2010, 09:24 am
Come on guys be nice to the Stormers Fan. The Stormers have after all won 3 trophies in the preseaon.
10 Feb 2010, 09:25 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
2011 Durban Paper Headline:
Local wins Curry Eating Competition for fifth year in a row.
Thousands of Durban based supporters gathered at the Annual Curry Eating gala where Veejay Naidoo again that he possess iron bowels. Curry eating has enjoyed a meteorical rise in popularity, after the relegation of the Sharks in favour of the Southern Kings in 2010.
10 Feb 2010, 09:25 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR): Excellent, tears in my eyes and my dog looking at me strangely…very well said.
10 Feb 2010, 09:25 am
@Sonito: Its time to give someone else a chance to win silverware!
10 Feb 2010, 09:26 am
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
Let’s talk Sharks issues, seeing the Sharks don’t want to raise issues concerning their side I will raise a few ….hopefully I will get a mature response (doubt it though)
1.They are not a tight unit. The Smit/Du plessis brothers issues ir real and causing problems. Plum is not happy, the Hurricanes job ?? cerain players are not happy with Bissy ? The Alberts/Ludick issue etc etc
2.Their front row is a problem , as witnessed in the CC and the warm up games !!
3. Half backs untested, not even sure ure who they will be.
4. Backline devoid of pace besides JPP, but ball unlikely to get to him.
4. No settled midfield combination
5. No creative player in the backline.
6. Loosies good but they not sure of the best combo. Kanko unhappy with Alberts in the mix !!
7. Untested lock combination.
Now Sharks let’s have some decent rugby chat on these issues !!
I still believe you will beat a weak chiefs side !!
10 Feb 2010, 09:26 am
@FireStraeuli: hahaha…where on the suidkus are you?
@gunther:
all the time.
@Sonito: three trophies eh? i say well done to them (not), they do have a good team this year no doubt.
10 Feb 2010, 09:28 am
@thesaint: Stick too sermons, Saint, your stand up sux.
10 Feb 2010, 09:28 am
@thesaint:
Don’t waste your time on this idiot, his reasoning is as effective as wet spaghetti !!
10 Feb 2010, 09:29 am
mini reverse
Sharks issues… on a stormers thread?
No man…
10 Feb 2010, 09:30 am
@FireStraeuli:
I have a huge pee on board……I see there is a fire that needs putting out !!!
10 Feb 2010, 09:30 am
@thesaint: At least we’ll be winning a cup then in 2011 as we’ll probably be relegated to the Voda Cup…might not be as pretty as the three pre-season cups the Stormers have produced in recent years, but we all cant win all the time.
10 Feb 2010, 09:30 am
@justrugby:
Just having some fun…
@Ratel Brussow (MSIUR):
What you have a problem with curry?
10 Feb 2010, 09:30 am
@rangerman:
But rangerman they are important trophies…. one is for a cricket game and the other against Boland and other a tri series.
10 Feb 2010, 09:31 am
@FireStraeuli:
I don’t know man, those Argentinians seems like the business, you guys stealing their players and all.
10 Feb 2010, 09:32 am
@gunther:
YAWN !!
10 Feb 2010, 09:32 am
@justrugby: Do what your friend ‘thesaint’ has done….relegate us to the Voda Cup, we want some silverware please…LOL
10 Feb 2010, 09:33 am
I see it’s kiddies hour….till later !!!
10 Feb 2010, 09:33 am
The only people going on about the 3 trophies, is the supporters of the other teams, not one Stormers supporter even mentioned them?
Whatever the case, a Stormers thread…even a non-thread, sure generates a lot of hits from other teams’ supporters.
10 Feb 2010, 09:34 am
@rangerman: Living in not so pretty Hiberdene…close to the beach though, lucky me
10 Feb 2010, 09:36 am
HAHAHA killed it.
10 Feb 2010, 09:38 am
@justrugby: Aaaah, dont be embarrassed, it’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re to old to play, don’t worry, you can still watch us play though…LOL
10 Feb 2010, 09:39 am
@thesaint:
No my friend the article mentions the three trophies and then states there is a buzz around the stormers because of it.
“Give it up for the boys in blue” Come on you cant blame us for taking the piss!!! Just read the above article.
10 Feb 2010, 09:40 am
@thesaint: What? three trophies, damn, that must make the Stormers the favourites to win the S14 then…
See all you Nay saying Sharks supporters, Stormers got three trophies, what you got to show for your pre-season…..NOTHING.
LOL
10 Feb 2010, 09:40 am
@rangerman: Roll on rugby for sure, all predictions pure speculation my previous comment included
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