Reds borrowed Bulls’ blueprint
11 Apr 2011
JON CARDINELLI says the Reds’ tactical triumph on Saturday was similar to the Bulls’ savvy beating of the Stormers in the 2010 Super 14 final.
The Stormers’ problems at the set-piece were once again exposed at the weekend. Discipline was an issue, as I feared it would be, and the Stormers were tactically outkicked by Wallabies halfbacks Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
The game produced one try but it was a captivating contest from start to finish. No team has kicked more than the Reds in 2011, and while they have a reputation for thrilling exploits with ball in hand, they can be devastating when they put ball to boot. This was once again evident on Saturday, as Genia and Cooper took charge.
The Reds knew that it would be difficult to penetrate the Stormers formidable defence – and despite the defeat, the Stormers defence was once again excellent – and so they opted for what has become a popular tactic against the Stormers. If you can’t go through that blue and white wall, you go over it with a kick.
Last year, the Bulls beat the Stormers in the Super 14 final thanks to the kicking accuracy of Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn. The Bulls forwards were magnificent, but it was the tactical probes and booming garryowens that ultimately unsettled the Stormers’ defenders, and subsequently allowed the Bulls to play their attacking rugby in opposition territory.
The Reds adopted a similar style last Saturday. They tested the Stormers defence early on with a ball-in-hand approach, and when they failed to make ground, they employed the boot. Genia launched several box kicks as well as a few rolling kicks aimed at the corners. Cooper was often positioned at fullback, and his kicks from the back usually found space or dribbled into touch.
Losing the territorial battle was always going to be a problem for a team with a shaky set-piece. The Stormers scrum has blown hot and cold all season, and their lineout accuracy has been poor. They have one of the world’s best lineout exponents in Andries Bekker, as well as quality options in Duane Vermeulen and Schalk Burger, but Deon Fourie continues to struggle with his feed to this set-piece.
In the second half of Saturday’s clash, Fourie failed to find a Stormers jumper when the hosts were camped on their own line. The Stormers were fortunate that the Reds didn’t capitalise on this mistake.
Fourie’s wayward throws are also preventing the Stormers from building continuity on attack. When the Stormers are in promising field positions, they’re not guaranteed a win on their own ball. It’s for this reason that the Stormers management is hoping Tiaan Liebenberg recovers from injury sooner rather than later.
Discipline and accuracy at the breakdown were sorely lacking. The Reds got under the skin of Vermeulen as early as the ninth minute. Frustration got the better of Deon Fourie when he tripped a Reds player in the 67th. Both received yellow cards, and you just don’t win big Super Rugby games when you play 20 minutes with 14 men.
It wasn’t a surprise to see the Stormers finish the match tryless. They battled to take the ball through sufficient phases to trouble the Reds defence, and were often turned over in the tackle.
The Reds decision-makers, usually Genia or Cooper, would then kick the ball into space and send the Stormers back into their own territory. The Reds knew that with Peter Grant’s pop-gun boot, the Stormers would struggle to kick their way out of their own half. They also knew that with the Stormers’ misfiring set-piece and errant breakdown approach, they would also struggle to build a ball-in-hand attack.
The Stormers still boast a great record of six wins in seven matches, but the recent defeat highlighted some ongoing concerns that must be addressed. Their current approach is good enough to get them into a playoff position, but as seen by their tactical failure in the 2010 final, it won’t be good enough to win a title.
120 Comments
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11 Apr 2011, 13:14 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-99: Absolutely. Said it in my post 91. I just say Open. But meant British Open.
11 Apr 2011, 13:19 pm
@Puma(Puma)-100: Yeah it’s hardly original on my side either, must have heard it somewhere, in a song or a story, or maybe a poem.
Us Stormers fans have become quite accustomed to that sort of thing, defiance in the face of inevitability. Character building stuff.
11 Apr 2011, 13:21 pm
@Puma(Puma)-101: Yes, it’s just “The Open”, but I don’t always assume that people know what I’m talking about. It’s like “The Masters”, and not the “US” Masters.
I won’t assume going forward, you clearly know your stuff.
11 Apr 2011, 13:22 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-102: Yeah, had a laugh when you said it, but loved that saying.
11 Apr 2011, 13:23 pm
An Open win at St Andrews has to be the cream of the crop for any golfer. Doesn;t get any better than that.
Although the membership at Augusta that comes with being a Masters Winner is pretty sweet too……
11 Apr 2011, 13:27 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-105: That is the absolute. Nothing beats that. So for Oosthuized to win there it was extra special.
You know with our great golfers in SA. I would just really enjoy it if we had something like the Ryder Cup. Which as you know is Europe against America. SA against the Americans. Now that would be interesting to see how we go in something like that. I know there is the Presidents Cup but that is from all countries against America.
11 Apr 2011, 13:29 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-105: Think we hijacked this thread to golf……hahahaha. Not too worried cause Charl winning the Masters is something really special for us Saffas.
11 Apr 2011, 13:30 pm
Anyhow work calls. Better get on with it.
Catch up later.
11 Apr 2011, 13:37 pm
@Puma(Puma)-107: no harm in chatting some golf puma , dont feel bad at all , 75% of the time there are people talking **** and politics , so some golf is refreshing
11 Apr 2011, 13:37 pm
@Puma(Puma)-108: Later mate. Special indeed.
11 Apr 2011, 13:40 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-109: Yes better than calling each other names as we do sometimes.
If you’re not a golf fan, it’s hard to imagine just how big this is. As Puma said, I’m sure Ernie would give his left testicle to have a green jacket.
11 Apr 2011, 13:42 pm
@Puma(Puma)-100: Not a Golf fan, but was amazed to see him win this morning on the news… All the talk here was about McIlroy and whether he could stave off Woods…
Big snot en trane over here now about McIlroy… Hardly any coverage about the actual winner… But it is a lovely thing to see… Just waiting for the customary whingeing to start…
11 Apr 2011, 13:50 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-112: LOL yes talk about a major implosion!
Poor b@stard. Until (if) he wins it again he’s going to be known as the guy that shot 80 on the final round of the Masters to blow a 4 shot lead.
Tiger who?
11 Apr 2011, 14:03 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-113: Yeah bug.ger… Good for you Golf fans… Must have been awesome to watch this relatively little known “yarpie” win the tournament over all the “big names”…
Its funny hearing the attempts at pronunciation of “Charl” – as in similar to a shortened version of “Charlie”, not the appropriate “Sharl”…
.
11 Apr 2011, 14:09 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-114: Yip. Was sweet. worth the red eyes this morning.
Commentators are so far up Tiger’s a ss it’s embarrasing. If it’s not him then it’s Mickelson.
We have Trevor, Louis and now Charl.
Sweet, especially after the kuk weekend I had, sporting wise.
11 Apr 2011, 14:11 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-115:
red eyes?
you had a spliff to celebrate?
me too.
11 Apr 2011, 14:12 pm
¡¡¡Congratulations South Africans!!!! well done Charl!! Tiger who?
11 Apr 2011, 14:15 pm
poor tiger.
and he put his yacht on the market this week.
11 Apr 2011, 14:15 pm
@Pick the team in August not March(stormersboy)-115: Its a pity the Presidents Cup is not as feted as the Ryder Cup….
There would be a few decent Saffers in that team who could take on the best of the States or Europe.
11 Apr 2011, 14:42 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-119: Yes indeed, I remember the one at fancourt well. Was there. Nice to see the Tigers and the like.
Doesn’t have the same “aura” (looking around nervously) as the ryder though as you say….
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