Discipline crucial for Burger’s marked men
7 Apr 2011
JON CARDINELLI says the Stormers need to be wary of the Reds’ niggling tactics.
It’s great to have the Reds in town. Men like Quade Cooper and Ewen McKenzie talk rugby the way they play rugby, that is without fear of criticism or future embarrassment. They realise that it’s all part of the theatrics, and that while hundreds of thousands of fans are listening to their confident words, their opponents are also in the loop.
McKenzie fired the first shot when he said that the Reds are capable of meeting the Stormers head-on. The set-piece stats suggest that the Reds coach has a point, but it’s highly unlikely that the Reds will be as direct as the Sharks or Bulls. Against an impressive defensive system and a fired-up Stormers pack, it wouldn’t pay to go direct.
South African teams pride themselves on their physicality, and you’ll never catch the Bulls or Sharks changing their plans because they feel the Stormers have a physical edge. It’s much the same when South Africa plays New Zealand, a traditional match-up that’s typified by titanic collisions, bumps, bruises and the occasional broken bone.
The Aussies don’t try to meet the physical challenge of the South Africans, because they don’t have the personnel. But what they lack in brawn and bloodymindedness, they compensate for in brains. And this incorporates play that’s illegal as well legal, because at the end of the day the only man who differentiates between the two is the matchday referee.
The Reds don’t have the physicality to match the Stormers. McKenzie knows that, and as modest and humble as he is, Allister Coetzee knows that. The Stormers coach fed the media a fitting description of the Reds on Wednesday, calling the boys from Brisbane one of the more streetwise teams in the competition. No doubt the Reds will bring some physicality to the Newlands melee this Saturday, but we should also expect some off-the-ball niggle and a fair few tricks.
The Stormers are unbeaten after six matches, but there is no risk of complacency in a tournament that spans four months. They boast the best defensive system in the competition, and as long as they are winning, they feel no need to force the try-scoring issue.
Opponents have to think carefully about breaking them down: there’s the option of kicking in behind their defensive line, or the option of outmuscling them at the gain-line. There’s also the option of getting under their skin and trying to push that trademark physicality to a level that results in a match-swinging sanction.
The Stormers passed the test of physicality in Pretoria, and proved it was no fluke by manhandling the Sharks in Durban. They’re expected to beat the Reds, but the Aussies will present a very different challenge. Everybody is talking about their free-running backs when it’s the forward exchanges that demand focus. Take the Reds pack out of the equation, and Will Genia and Quade Cooper are no attacking threat.
The Reds know that they have to provide these players with a platform, and will niggle at the Stormers in an attempt to win a reaction. This will be a big test of the Stormers’ ability to adapt to the referee’s interpretations, and also a big test of their composure. The Reds can’t outmuscle the Stormers, but they will work to ensure the Cape side’s aggression works to the visitors’ advantage.
Bismarck du Plessis was the man designated with those responsibilities last week, and the tactic didn’t work for the Sharks. The Stormers must maintain their discipline at the set-piece and breakdowns, because men like Beau Robinson and Scott Higginbotham are going to be pushing their buttons.
Coetzee has asked for more of the same this week, and it’s true that the Stormers need to maintain their high physical standards. What they need to improve is their accuracy, and ensure that indiscipline doesn’t creep into their game. If they fail in this respect, we could be in for one of the big upsets of the season.
182 Comments
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7 Apr 2011, 12:10 pm
@BringItHomeBoks(bokfan1)-147: If Sarel is standing out playing for Cheetahs. Just imagine how he would play in a Bulls/Stormers or Sharks team? Think all those unions will be looking at him. Someone said he is with Griquas not Cheetahs. Only plays for Cheetahs like Basson done in SuperRugby. So unless Cheetahs have offered him a contract, be sure one of the big unions will be wanting to offer him a contract.
7 Apr 2011, 12:10 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-148: I also rate McLeod- he just had an off day on Sat. FH for me would be Grant. I have always rated him – with Lambie as 2nd choice. Lambie is the future yet I feel that like what u said about a scrummie and experience has to equally apply to a FH.
7 Apr 2011, 12:12 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-150: lol. Was a good one. Will remember it…..hehehe.
7 Apr 2011, 12:15 pm
I think Hoffman should start when JLP is at flyhalf. JLP is more a kicking flyhalf and the quick service wasted on him. Sharks could try changing their game slightly to a more territory game with the forwards they have and the backline at their disposal. JLP is not a run it from anywhere kind of player.
7 Apr 2011, 12:21 pm
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-152: its even more important , which mean the firswt 2 choices at 10 will be morne and butch , again if they chose another it will be Ruan used
to be honest i dont see lambie or grant going , unless lambie goes as he covers 10,12 and 15
but no doubt we wont see all out favourites in the bok setup
7 Apr 2011, 12:39 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-155: Morne is too limited. Watch a Stormers game and count how many times the commentators say things (about Grant) like “he plays so unlike a traditional SA flyhalf” or “he offers so much on attack” etc etc. Why, oh WHY do people not rate Grant???? Someone needs to explain this this to me. Ruan at 10??? Jeez… that’s 2 steps forwards and 10 steps back! Butch is just too old now.
7 Apr 2011, 13:11 pm
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-156: Ruan should be a scrumhalf 1st and secondly a flyhalf. He will add great value to the Boks at the World Cup.
7 Apr 2011, 13:12 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-157: I enjoyed his play for the boks on the EOYT.
7 Apr 2011, 13:17 pm
But not as a Flyhalf surely…
7 Apr 2011, 14:10 pm
Is the ref for this Jaco Peyper or Chris Pollock? I’m seeing both on different sites.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it is another Anzac. South African refs only ref South African games if its a SA derby.
7 Apr 2011, 14:23 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-157: Ruan is a bit out of it by now don’t you think and we’ve got other options, namely
Sarel Pretorius
Dewaldt Duvenage
Fourie du Preez
Francois Hougaard
7 Apr 2011, 14:24 pm
@Puma(Puma)-151: Charl is pretty decent but I’d like to see Sarel at the Sharks, and Strauss back at 12.
7 Apr 2011, 14:29 pm
People call for Ruan, but we covered at 9 by any one of the following
Sarel Pretorius
Dewaldt Duvenage
Fourie du Preez
Francois Hougaard
People call for Butch but we are covered at 10 by any one of the following
Lambie
Peter Grant
Morne Steyn
People call for Francois Steyn but we are covered at 15 by any one of the following:
Gio Aplon
Zane Kirchner
Hennie Danillar
do we really need these other players from overseas???
7 Apr 2011, 14:43 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-163: Some player really benefit from an overseas stint. I think Ruan may well be one of those players. If they smooth over some of the rough edges and get hin to play with a bit more consistantly and improve his goalkicking (which seems to be happening) he may very well make a strong case for being the complete no 10.
Not entirely convinced yet, but open to the possibility.
7 Apr 2011, 14:58 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-164: I think you are correct but i think he was being mismanaged in SA ….. isnt he play 9 now in Ireland
7 Apr 2011, 14:59 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-163: Fullback definately – Steyn is a match winner wish he was a kiwi
7 Apr 2011, 15:01 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-164: must admit I haven’t seen much of his play up north but my point is that we have enough home talent to be covered. Why bring in someone at the last moment who isn’t really in touch with our style of rugga.
7 Apr 2011, 15:02 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-161:
Sarel Pretorius=inexperienced
Dewaldt Duvenage= inexperienced
Fourie du Preez=yes
Francois Hougaard=yes
+
Ruan Pienaar.
In a World Cup squad you experience.
7 Apr 2011, 15:04 pm
@stew(stew)-166: He’s got his good points (the deadly long kick) but his play can be erratic and risky, I’ve seen him on a number of occassion trying to run it out 5m from the try line. IMO its a bit risky bringing in players from NH at the last minute since the style of rugby up there is different.
7 Apr 2011, 15:21 pm
@foreverrugga(foreverrugga)-169: He does seem to complete the Sa backline but i still think he might be better cover for JDV at 12 – he was immense in 2007
7 Apr 2011, 15:30 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-160: thats because they did such a great job last year KKK, they obviously looked after the bulls..
7 Apr 2011, 15:35 pm
Dammit
So many threads today and everyone is everywhere
7 Apr 2011, 15:49 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-172: So you cant do your trademark hijacking of threads! lol
7 Apr 2011, 15:58 pm
I am very happy for the stormers this year however this brutal game plan of theirs does have its cons like player burnout/injury because they have killed themselves tackling the living daylights out of their opponents.
But is working for them well.
7 Apr 2011, 16:03 pm
@iori Yagami(iori Yagami)-173:
Annoying!
Don’t know which one to hijack first!
7 Apr 2011, 16:58 pm
Stormers to beat the Reds.
Bulls to get klapped by the Crusaders’ 2nd team.
Sharks to win for a change.
Cheetahs to lose as per usual.
7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Japan in the same area as the last time. A 1m Tsunami warning issued.
(Al Jazeera)
7 Apr 2011, 18:06 pm
@race of tan(race of tan)-174:
talking of burnout from taking a pounding every week – I truly hope (from a bok perspective) that Willem Alberts doesn’t get crocked because he smashes his large frame around and I don’t think Plum is managing him well. We need him to be fit later this year…
7 Apr 2011, 18:28 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-177: i agree
7 Apr 2011, 18:44 pm
I have Reds by 2 on Bru against the Stormers, its time for them to lose a game so my SHARKSSSSSSS are not under so much pressure and they just have to hit auto pilot against the Lions
7 Apr 2011, 18:47 pm
Form SA players thus far in S15
15 Aplon
14 thin on wings, after 1 game Hougaard looked good or JJP @ 14
13 J Fourie
12 JDV / Doppies
11 Bjorn Basson
10 Grant / Lambie
9 Sarel P / FDP
8 Duane
7 Alberts / Flo
6 Daniel / Burger (I’d play Flo @ 6)
5 Bekker
4 Elstadt
3 Brock Harris
2 – Bissy
1 Beast
8 Apr 2011, 05:28 am
why 4 saffa referees for the reds vs stormers. and now stormers are putting pressure on the young and biased south african referees who will now be looking for reasons to penalise the reds. also the refs will be influenced by the crowd. this is going to be a joke.
an absolute joke.
8 Apr 2011, 14:54 pm
@We are red(Redbull)-181: After the game you should change your nick to “We are red-faced”…
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