Stormers aim to smother Steyn
10 Jun 2011
JON CARDINELLI chats to Robbie Fleck about the Stormers’ plans to neutralise Morne Steyn.
The Bulls have racked up some monumental victories over the past few seasons, and Steyn has so often been the difference in the matches that matter. He kicked a difficult penalty to win the 2009 Currie Cup semi-final at Newlands. When the Bulls hosted the Stormers in the 2010 Super 14 final in Soweto, Steyn and Fourie du Preez produced a tactical kicking masterclass to compromise the Cape side’s defence.
But Steyn was well contained when the Stomers visited Loftus Versfeld earlier this season. The home pack was bullied, and so the Bulls’ halfbacks struggled to impose themselves without front-foot possession.
It’s for this reason that Fleck isn’t too worried about the Steyn factor ahead of Saturday’s game. It’s a massive fixture in terms of what’s at stake for the Bulls and Stormers, but the formula for success will be much the same.
‘The Bulls tend to be more adventurous in the early stages, they like to try a few different things at the start of a game. But it shouldn’t take them too long to revert to what they do best. They have a game plan that has won trophies, and when they execute it, like they did in that game against the Sharks, they are hard to stop,’ Fleck told keo.co.za.
‘Their forwards really come at you and they try to put even more pressure on you with their fantastic kicking game. But we have to back ourselves to stand up to that challenge. We have managed to nullify the effect of their kicking game in the past, so it’s by no means a daunting prospect. It all starts with fronting up physically, that will go a long way to negating the impact of their kickers.’
The Stormers have opted to bench their best tactical kicker in Dewaldt Duvenage, and not much is known of Kurt Coleman’s ability with the boot. The 21-year-old flyhalf did well in front of goal last week, kicking five from six, but wasn’t asked to kick much out of hand.
Fleck believes Coleman has the full range of skills to be a success, and added that he should receive the necessary platform from his forwards.
‘He was nervous in that Brumbies game, you could see it in the way he played. On occasion, he sat too deep in the pocket instead of taking the ball flat and getting involved.
‘We told him that we wanted him to take more control in the next match against the Rebels, and his response was incredible. He bought into the change of mindset and really exceeded everybody’s expectations.
‘Obviously a Stormers vs Bulls game is a very different prospect, but he’s made an improvement in all departments, so there’s good reason to feel encouraged.’
On Wednesday, Schalk Burger highlighted the Bulls’ experience and ability to win tight matches as a real threat to the Stormers’ chances. Fleck agreed that the Bulls shouldn’t be taken lightly, but pointed to the growth of this Stormers team over the course of their 2011 campaign. If they fall short this weekend, it won’t be for a lack of unity.
‘We matured as a group on that tour to Australasia. It goes to show how a tour can bring people closer together.
‘By the end, we were in a really good head space and were playing some decent rugga too. There were some difficult times and we were honest with ourselves after the match against the Chiefs, but that only made us tighter as group.’
349 Comments
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10 Jun 2011, 11:32 am
@Blue Label(Blue Label)-140:
You have a lot to learn
Who let you in the door!
You will learn to include my name on all lists compiled.
10 Jun 2011, 11:32 am
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-149: Yep – Riaan Swanepoel is moving to Clermont. Seems it’s almost a ‘swap’ scenario with Marius Joubert. It seems this has been on the cards for a while.
10 Jun 2011, 11:33 am
Having just watched the chiefs/canes match, the one thing that was evident and it irritates me no end, is the amount coaching the ref does !!
One has to question how fair that is ?? often you hear “no NO1 , get back” or No No9 stay on your side etc etc !!
Surely you should just blow if the offence takes place, because he might warn one side but penalise the other for the same offence, I believe no coaching from the ref should be allowed, merely blow it as he sees it !!! he can really be selective with this coaching approach, IRB should ban refs coaching imho !!
10 Jun 2011, 11:35 am
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-147:
Yassus you can talk kuk
10 Jun 2011, 11:35 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-151:
he hasn’t finished his babelist yet.
10 Jun 2011, 11:38 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-133: I will never ever support a antipodean team against a South African team, even if that South African team is the Stormers and even if a Stormers loss in that scenario would benefit the Sharks.
That said though, I will also support any South African team playing against the Stormers. Even the Cheetahs or Lions
I don’t feel bad, since I know that favor is happily returned by most Stormers fans when it comes to the Sharks.
And yes, provincial rivalry is hectic in South Africa. And it kind of adds a flavor to our rugby that you wont see anywhere else, so I don’t tend to complain too much about it. As long as that rivalry is healthy, and doesn’t descend into sepsis. Referees assisting certain teams to win against others is one example of septic rivalry, and I don’t enjoy that. And yes, if Jonker did purposely help the Sharks to win – I don’t condone that either. Even as a Sharks fan.
10 Jun 2011, 11:38 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-148:
Muthafarkers banned me twice….do not DARE have any obtuse comments directed at the Blue Machine ekse
10 Jun 2011, 11:39 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-150: 100% correct Dusky, it’ll be a mental game.
Hoping the Stormers are up for it.
Looking forward to it!!
10 Jun 2011, 11:40 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-153: This is a good point dude and I completely agree with you. You also wont be the first person to raise this. I have heard it being discussed on Superrugby and Boots n All etc. before. Referees though are also mandated to keep rugby entertaining – so, they are trying not to blow their whistle every 5 seconds.
So, one has to ask, how much coaching should be allowed by referees ? And how would the game change if they did not coach on the field ? I suppose eventually teams will learn their lesson, but to begin with it would be a whistle festival.
10 Jun 2011, 11:40 am
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-149: Rian is on a very short term contract and is believed to be returning to dbn thereafter
its because the clairmont centers are both in the french setup for the WC
10 Jun 2011, 11:44 am
interesting results of poll. bulls either clear favorites or have more fans. maybe both.
10 Jun 2011, 11:44 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-158: It’s a huge game. I am also looking forward to it.
Sorry to hear you have a sick kid. If you dont feel comfortable divulging info here that’s fine, but in a word or two, what is the problem ? Liver ? I just ask, because recently we had a case of an extremely rare metabolic disease resulting in rapid liver degradation which was caught just in time (almost by chance) in a young girl. I just thought when I read your post that things works in mysterious ways sometimes and perhaps I was supposed to read your post.
10 Jun 2011, 11:46 am
@President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-160: I wish him well. I think he is way underrated, but Rian will never get the recognition here that he deserves, simply because of the quality of his peers.
He should stay in France, perhaps he can end up getting into the French team.
10 Jun 2011, 11:46 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-159:
True, even with the coaching some refs are whistle happy !!
I do think though that ref coaching is overdone, surely the only game in the world where the ref coaches, not sure what the answer is !!
10 Jun 2011, 11:47 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-161: More fans dude
Dont worry about a poll. I think 80% of people voted WP would win the 2010 Currie Cup 
10 Jun 2011, 11:48 am
Something that has been intruiging me for a while and for which I dont have the answer is the question of which style of flyhalf play has best suited us against our various traditional opponents i.e. who has been more succesful against the Ozzies, Kiwis, Frenchies and Poms. Has it being a MS style flyhalf who hangs deep in the pocket or a flyhalf like Butch who takes the ball closer to the gain line? I would be keen to know what the stats are because I believe that we do need different approaches for different opponents.
10 Jun 2011, 11:48 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-156:
ha ha, fair enough. stormers my first team coz i grew up there, but sharks a close second as i was born there and all my family support them. I am same as you. love to watch the SA teams win and even became proud of the mortal blue enemy when they were in their dominant phase. even if their fans were a bit tedious at times…
10 Jun 2011, 11:49 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-164: For sure, the heaviest referee coaching is in rugby union. Perhaps because the laws have gotten so complicated to try and protect player safety and also improve the excitement factor of the game.
Even rugby league, the referees hardly coach but then in certain scenarios like off-side, the off-side player must have an influence on the game to get a penalty against them. This is not so in rugby union.
10 Jun 2011, 11:50 am
@munkiboi(munkiboi)-167: Forget about a teams fans dude. All teams have tedious fans. Heck – I know I have made my fair share of guys hate the Sharks in my time
10 Jun 2011, 11:51 am
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-157:
Banned from ruggaworld? That seems impossible. you not referring to RT?
10 Jun 2011, 11:51 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-163:
or england, they’re always keen on capping foreigners coz they cant produce their own decent backs.
10 Jun 2011, 11:53 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-162: Thanks, no it’s septic arthritis in the hip, but it seems to be responding to treatment.
Doesn’t look like they’ll need to operate, which is great news. Hopefully.
10 Jun 2011, 11:55 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-172: Ok, in my thoughts and prayers.
10 Jun 2011, 12:05 pm
I’m hearing all this “do or die” **** as being the reason the Bulls will win. So what happened against the Tah’s or was that not important to their play-off chances because the Bulls were poor on the day and got out of Jail.
10 Jun 2011, 12:06 pm
@onerb(onerb)-170:
Ja that one with Groot Blou something and all those other Broederbond okes on.
If you so much as say ‘Jou ma se..’…banned
10 Jun 2011, 12:06 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-172:
Hope your kid responds and recovers 100% Stormersboy, nothing worse than kids being sick or in pain !!!
10 Jun 2011, 12:08 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-172:
All the very best for your little one boet.
10 Jun 2011, 12:09 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-175:
Ja just thought to correct you as Ruggaworld is pretty placid and chilled so best it not get branded unnecessarily.
10 Jun 2011, 12:15 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-172: Hey, much strength to your little one, bud. Hope all goes well.
10 Jun 2011, 12:19 pm
@justrugby(justrugby)-153: well, it’s that what schalk was complaining about last year after the final at Orlando where Craig Joubert was on the whole game “no 6 get your hands off the ball” while steggies was crawling and fiddling?
10 Jun 2011, 12:23 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-157: Ruggaworld is Bryce_in_Oz’s version of a rugby blog nirvana, how do you MANAGE to get yourself banned THERE??? bwahahahaha
10 Jun 2011, 12:25 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-175: bwahahahahahahahahaha that’s RT man, Heavens Game calls the The Mormons as they will inevitably want bone your wife
did you give GBS your real name & ID number, cos i heard that is one of the requirements to blof there?
10 Jun 2011, 12:26 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-173: @justrugby(justrugby)-176: @Great White Shark(Predawn)-177: @>^..^< katman(katman)-179: Actually just got off the line with the hospital, looks like the blood tests have come back with a problem. Seems they’ll probably have to go in and operate. I’ll head out there now to go and relieve mom,
On the positive side, he’s in his own room and they have DSTV. So I’ll catch the game one way or another.
Have a good weekend all, catch you on the flip side.
10 Jun 2011, 12:29 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183: Go well dude. All the best for your boykie.
10 Jun 2011, 12:32 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183:
Sh it man !!!!!! holding thumbs it all goes well boet !!!!
Strength to you and family !!!
10 Jun 2011, 12:36 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183: We’ll be thinking of him. If his doctors are anything like the folk down at Red Cross, he’s in good hands. I’m sure things will be okay.
10 Jun 2011, 12:40 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183: sorry to read that stormersboy, all the best to your little one…
10 Jun 2011, 12:42 pm
Keep the faith boet. All thinking of your family.
10 Jun 2011, 12:42 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183: All the best M.
10 Jun 2011, 12:43 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183:
Alles van die beste!
10 Jun 2011, 12:44 pm
I can’t believe that chidren also get arthritis!
Seer!!!!
10 Jun 2011, 13:00 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-183: Yeah all the best to the little one Stormersboy.
10 Jun 2011, 13:00 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-191: Oh well, I am not that old, and I did a lot of sport when I was younger – recently decided to try my hand at doing a bit of jogging again. I ended up with infectious arthritis in both knees, and it was extremely painful so I feel for this kid. Luckily mine cleared up quite easily, but it took me 5 minutes to get up one flight of stairs here at home for almost 3 weeks.
If I needed something upstairs, my wife had to be the courier
At one stage, we considered moving a bed downstairs into the lounge !
This thing seems to just come out of the blue. I never had it before, and it doesn’t look like I can run again now. It’s actually left some permanent damage it seems.
10 Jun 2011, 13:04 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-191: Its probably payback for meddling with all those guys girlfriends at varsity
10 Jun 2011, 13:04 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-193:
Sounds horrible and the scary thing is it happens out of the blue, seems to know no age.
I mean it’s just a baby!
10 Jun 2011, 13:05 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-194:
it’s all the fighting in car parks.
10 Jun 2011, 13:07 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-193:
Exercise is the curse of the couching classes.
10 Jun 2011, 13:08 pm
(I am having a convo with a Shark).
(Will play it cool. So far so good).
sshhhh
10 Jun 2011, 13:09 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-194:
If I were a shark, I think I would be a basking shark.
Good name, not too energetic.
10 Jun 2011, 13:11 pm
@gunther keeps the cape in shape(gunther)-196: Probably
@Dawn(Dawn)-199: Sounds good to me too. Anything to avoid that pain from happening again
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