Stormers to starve Canes
9 Mar 2010
The simplest way to frustrate a dangerous attacking unit is to limit their possession, says Allister Coetzee.
On paper, the Hurricanes are an intimidating unit. Glance down the team list and you’ll note a number of All Blacks who individually have the ability to turn a game. Add to that a host of young talent capable of scoring tries from their own 22 and don’t forget about the attacking philosophy that’s earned them thousands of fans both in New Zealand and in South Africa. Form is irrelevant. You don’t take these blokes lightly.
The Stormers will be buoyed by the bonus-point win over the Highlanders, but their coach is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. They’ve beaten the Waratahs, but this match could be season-defining ahead of their four-match Australasian tour.
Coetzee told keo.co.za he’s expecting a raise in the level of physicality with the increased number of internationals on the pitch. He’s highlighted the Canes’ penchant for the counter-attack as a threat, and has even commended their defence.
What Coetzee is banking on, however, is the Stormers’ tightness as a team. They’re still short on attacking synergy in the backs, but their defence is the best in the competition, their lineout has been commanding and their scrum has stood up to all challengers to date. If they can keep the ball, you’d have to back them as favourites at home.
‘We’ve got to front physically, but most importantly, we’ve got to retain the ball on attack,’ Coetzee told keo.co.za. ‘Teams like the Canes don’t like it when you starve them of possession.
‘People have criticised our attack and while I agree we need to start finishing those opportunities we create, I think it has to said that we are creating chances. We’re showing a lot more patience and building through more phases than ever before, and that’s going to be so crucial against the Hurricanes.’
While Coetzee praised his lineout for their contesting abilities – Deon Fourie’s try against the Highlanders was born from a lineout turnover – he pointed to the improvement as the breakdown as the biggest boost.
The Stormers conceded a number of breakdown penalties in their first three matches, but were far more disciplined against the Highlanders. Another accurate showing could be what lays the platform for a win over Kiwi opposition.
‘We have some strong players in that area, not only in the starting side but on the bench as well. We’ve been clinical and our decision-making in this department has been much improved. I’m also very impressed to see the players adapting according to the referee. You need to be able to do this.’
Captain Schalk Burger, Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen will have important roles to play, as will powerful ball-carriers like Tiaan Liebenberg. The Stormers medical team will make the call on his availability on Tuesday, as Liebenberg missed the Highlanders match with flu. His inclusion will be a massive plus for the hosts.
While ball retention is the priority, Coetzee is relieved to know the tough Stormers defence is there should things not go their way. The Cape franchise has conceded just two tries in four games.
‘The Hurricanes really do favour an all-out attack that involves forwards linking with backs. How do you stop them? Back your defensive systems. They’ve got some great individuals, but I have a great faith in this defence. As long as we defend as a team we should be able to stop them.’
By Jon Cardinelli
70 Comments
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9 Mar 2010, 12:09 pm
Cheetahs havent made it easy, but the Stormers need to put these guys away
9 Mar 2010, 12:25 pm
@poppa69:
Many thanks….
9 Mar 2010, 12:29 pm
@Mary Lynn: no probs
9 Mar 2010, 14:52 pm
@Tacitus: So you put the Stormers down for a loss against the Bulls at Newlands and then call it “their most optimistic scenario”?
Haha, I hope for your sake the Bulls keep playing good rugby (which they have done brilliantly in 2007 and 2009), otherwise you will have a lot of humble pie to eat. The wheel always turns..
Me, i’m not predicting anything, just hoping my boys kick some ***.
9 Mar 2010, 14:55 pm
Steve Walsh is reffing? Oh lordy…
9 Mar 2010, 14:57 pm
@4thWiseMan: Wink, Wink…
9 Mar 2010, 14:58 pm
@wpjoulekkading: 54
(Cornelius) Tacitus is neither the most tacit, nor tactful commentator round these here parts, I’ve noticed.
But, it takes all kinds to make the world go round… And I’ll keep the fresh cream and cake fork on standby for when he has to eat that humble pie
9 Mar 2010, 15:01 pm
@Rum And Maple: 56
But how in the beard of Greyskull did we manage to draw him as a ref for the ‘canes game? That’s just not cricket mate.
9 Mar 2010, 15:03 pm
@Dawn: I`ll buy you a case of beer if you take Walsh out on tv . .
9 Mar 2010, 15:04 pm
@4thWiseMan: You must start praying boet… my Lions won’t forget him for a long time…
9 Mar 2010, 15:05 pm
@Original Pierre: I’ll throw in a case as well…
I owe that non-drinking *******…
9 Mar 2010, 15:10 pm
@Rum And Maple: Here’s a thought… Schalk got away with ref abuse this weekend…
Maybe he must see how far his luck will stretch… and…accidentally tackle Walsh…
9 Mar 2010, 15:10 pm
@Rum And Maple: 60
Fully bru… That was a swak call. A travesty of refereeing if ever I saw one.
What was that dude’s name, who once upon a time jumped the fence and tackled the referee? We need to contract him again, methinks.
9 Mar 2010, 15:12 pm
Find out where Walsh is staying, intercept his room service, and pour excessive amounts of laxatives in his food and drink the night before the game…
Masterstroke!
9 Mar 2010, 15:12 pm
@4thWiseMan: Piet van Zyl…
He’s the MAN!!!
9 Mar 2010, 15:13 pm
@4thWiseMan: Ja, pull a Suzie on him…
9 Mar 2010, 15:19 pm
@Rum And Maple:
Yaaaaaaaaa! Piet van Zyl! Give that crazy old coot a call!
9 Mar 2010, 17:04 pm
This is our next Springbok coach…if PdV manages to pi$$ away the world cup AC will take over the helm…
9 Mar 2010, 20:49 pm
I was really impressed with Deon Fourie the Stronters no 2 on saturday. He was everywhere- and had LOTS of energy.
Tiaan Liebenberg has a fight on his hands….
10 Mar 2010, 06:39 am
The Hurricanes have been pretty average so far this season, but fortunate that the teams they played didn’t play well. They beat the Blues who threw that game away and they have beaten the Force and the lions at home…. Wow, who else wont do that this season. The first team they faced that was fired up and committed, beat them pretty well. If the Stormers play well, they will put them away well, if the screw up like they did against the Brumbies, then it will be like that match. Hurricanes are not the force they have been in seasons gone by, I predict a comfortable victory for the Stormers.
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