Lesson learned by sorry Stormers
26 Feb 2010
Allister Coetzee says the Stormers’ shocking display shouldn’t be viewed as the beginning of a downward spiral.
The Stormers would have made history had they buried the Brumbies on Saturday. Since the inception of Super Rugby, the Cape side has failed to win their first three games. The opportunity was there given the poor performance by the Brumbies, but unfortunately the hosts couldn’t put them away.
The Stormers coach was understandably glum following the loss, and while he listed the positives, he admitted his team were poor on the day.
He refused to blame Joe Pietersen, who missed the last-ditch conversion that would have drawn the game, or Brok Harris, who threw an intercept pass. He rather blamed the team as a whole.
‘We were erratic with ball in hand and our execution wasn’t good at all,’ Coetzee told keo.co.za. ‘We made two mistakes late in the game [a penalty that led to a goal by Giteau and the intercept pass by Harris], and our systems were at fault. We didn’t stick to our systems tonight.’
The Stormers coughed up possession regularly and attempted to run the ball from their own half on several occasions. Coetzee said the players need to take responsibility, but believes much can be learned from the loss.
‘It’s by no means a setback. It hurts to lose at home, but we showed a lot of character to fight back at the death and score that try. For most of the game we didn’t respect our own ball, and it’s just a pity that we only started playing properly late in the game.’
Stormers captain Andries Bekker said the performance was ‘not good enough’ and also cited the Cape side’s inability to to click early on as a contributing factor to defeat. Bekker admitted the Stormers would have plenty to do at lineout time after their errant display on Saturday.
The Stormers will host the Highlanders at Newlands next Saturday. ‘We are only three matches into the tournament,’ said Coetzee. ‘There’s an incredible spirit in this side and there’s no need to panic after one loss.’
By Jon Cardinelli
68 Comments
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27 Feb 2010, 11:07 am
Again and again and again.
The Stormers are incapable of playing clever rugby.
The coaches have to take the blame for allowing rugby players who surely know better than truly believe they can outrun professional sides from their 22 or 3/4.
Absolutely shocking. Watching from the pavillion, the only thing I admirably watched was the sunsetting peach clouds over Tabl Mountain whilst a group of half-wits tried playing Grade
27 Feb 2010, 11:09 am
1 rugby.
27 Feb 2010, 11:14 am
What happened to Rassie. I thought he is suppose to coach the stormers. No wonder they loose as soon as they get strong opposition, and why is Willem de Waal not playing. Rassie get GOING AND START COACING the stormers. Coetsee is only a assistant coach- if that.At this rate they are going to get slaughtered on their overseas tour.
27 Feb 2010, 11:38 am
So Storm Her fans, bad luck boys.
Never won the first 3 games? Shezez, that is not a great record to have. Anyway Brumbies are a class outfit.
As I said after the Bulls game, the score flattered the Bulls. Wynands knock on, and Mark Lawrence running blocking lines inflated the Bulls score. Was closer than that.
The Brumbies will knock over a couple of teams this year. Rest assured..
Thought Liebenberg played well. Never really rated the fellow until last night and Pietersen too. Big heart old Mini Monty.
27 Feb 2010, 11:48 am
The issue I had at the end of this game was that up and under that (Pietersen & Aplon, I think but stand under correction) let bounce.
Then Brok threw the hail mary… If they had caught that ball before it bounced and booted it up field, game over red rover.
27 Feb 2010, 12:49 pm
The stormers played like rubbish yesterday. They have way too many guys like Broks HArris, Louw etc standing at flyhalf, their play is awful and saying this isn’t a setback is a joke. This game was at Newlands, if the Stormers carry on like this, away they are going to crash back to reality very soon.
The looseforwards are a major weakness in this side, even with Burger I think they’ve got the worst trio in the country or maybe on par with the Lions.
But they also have to get their structures right, they need a flyhalf standing at flyhalf, how many times did a prop get the ball and run when he should have passed it out wide to HAbana & co..
And stormers need to bring in Naqelevuki (much better than Aplon)
Can’t wait for tonight to see some proper rugby from the Bulls.
27 Feb 2010, 12:53 pm
#56, The stormers look like they have absolutely no clue how to score a backline try by drawing in players and putting team-mates into space (apart from that one HAban try last week made by Januarie but he didn’t even do it on purpose).. they should go and watch how the Bulls, Chiefs do it
27 Feb 2010, 13:06 pm
I back them… they cost me money. There is something inherently wrong with the culture in the Western Cape. Maybe it’s a sense of entitlement… maybe it’s their egos… maybe it’s just that they are a bunch of w@nkers.
Over-rated. Over-hyped. Over-paid. And more importantly, a waste of talent.
27 Feb 2010, 13:22 pm
@Pirlet BEL:
As far as the Stormers backline is concerned I agree – they have no clue how to score backline tries – as long as the below average Grant is at flyhalf they will always struggle.
They call him a running flyhalf that can get the back line moving but if a person examines the Stormers try scoring record over the last few seasons with him at 10 there is no evidence of a backline that ever got going.
Worst loose trio? – That is a bit harsh although I admit they do not have a balanced combination (all 3 are big bashers) and they are surely missing the intelligence and linking play of a Luke Watson. Maybe it will improve once Koster becomes available again.
I wont write the Stormers off for one moment though. – a lot of things went wrong last night and the Brumbies are a top team.
Re the Bulls – They have peaked very soon – whether they will be able to maintain that momentum will have to be seen. They should beat the Tahs today – might even get a bonus point as the altitude will get the Tahs during the last 20 or so. Pity Spies is out, not sure about Daniesaurus at 8.
27 Feb 2010, 14:59 pm
The only comfort that can be taken from this game as Stormer supporter is that our team lost to a very good side.
27 Feb 2010, 16:53 pm
@Springbokvel: Poor performance from both teams…Stormers woulda got creamed at Canberra
28 Feb 2010, 07:42 am
To be fair to the Stormers – the TMO should be shot for that ridiculous decision (would the tip opf the ball have landed first, or the middle? Its a no brainer), and the Brumbies only scored off an intercept screw up. Otherwise the Brumbies never looked like crossing, and if I remember correctly they Stronters had a few other opprotunities that went missing.
But for the bounce of the ball, they could have had four tries and a decent win. But such is sport.
Frankly I think they are playing good rugby right now, and they are more than capable of winning away from home. Dont loes heart, and keep the belief – you should have won that. And this from a Bulls fan.
28 Feb 2010, 07:48 am
time to give L Cronje a run at 10….start him against the landers sat.
i see wp were beaten by boland in Vodacom cup….so dont think wikkelspies can be ready yet.
as saffas we must back the youngsters a bot more….the bulls again seem light years ahead….look at van den heever and Dippenaar?
Surely Stormers must blood L Cronje….why the conservatism?
James o connor playing well at 10 for WF too.
28 Feb 2010, 09:36 am
Agree Grant 10: Lionel is such a big talent; young big player who needs game to to prove himself. they didn’t even give him 15minutes in 3 games but still struggling with grant who had years to prove himself.
28 Feb 2010, 10:10 am
@Storm outta hell:
Can you explain to me why the Stormers are playing such “stamp car” rugby, looks like the bulls of 10 years ago.
And then the Bulls again are playing the most exciting rugby I have ever seen, every game is a spectacle!
Habana apparently left the Bulls for the Stormers because he would flourish there with the expansive brand of rugby… Yeah right!
28 Feb 2010, 11:47 am
@grant10: I said it before and I’ll say it again, WP can recruit and play a 19 yr old Aussie, yet on the same breath, they dont give an opportunity to a hot South African 19yr old, dumb dumb dumb
28 Feb 2010, 19:05 pm
Please remind SA refs to looks after all the SA sides and not the Bulls !!!!
1 Mar 2010, 10:35 am
Habana, you can come back to Bulls, your brain **** is forgiven
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