Stormers to switch tack in play-offs
21 Jun 2011
Allister Coetzee tells JON CARDINELLI that the Stormers will squeeze rather than run opponents ragged in next week’s semi-final at Newlands.
Last Saturday’s match in Bloemfontein saw the Stormers scoring four tries and amassing 44 points. It was one of the few occasions in 2011 were the Cape franchise has managed to bag the four-try bonus point, and one of the rarest of instances where their back division has looked dangerous.
Peter Grant made several errors, but brought some stability and purpose to the attack, while the other selections in midfield and in the back three certainly had an impact.
Juan de Jongh and Jaque Fourie combined well in the centres, Jean de Villiers produced some neat touches from the right wing and Gio Aplon offered some much needed variation from fullback.
Coetzee agreed that the backline did well against the Cheetahs, but also reiterated what he had said in the build-up to that game. The backline changes where made for a specific attacking purpose. Coetzee said that the team would need to employ less cavalier tactics in a semi-final situation.
‘We backed horses for courses, and they did well, but it’s difficult to say exactly who will play in the semi-final,’ he told keo.co.za. ‘Obviously we will need to see who we are playing before we make plans and selections.
‘You always need to be a bit more conservative in a one-off game like a semi-final. It could be a real squeeze, and so I’d like to ensure we have the right balance between kicking the ball and keeping it in hand.’
The Crusaders are favourites to beat the Sharks this week, and in that event they will travel to Cape Town for the semi-finals. However, if the Sharks win, the Stormers will play the winner of the Blues vs Waratahs play-off.
Both the Crusaders and Waratahs are renowned for their forward strength, tactical kicking and defence. If either of these teams come up against the Stormers, the Newlands faithful could be in for a tactical arm-wrestle rather than a free-running spectacle.
Coetzee has said on many occasions that it is the objective of his team to win rather than entertain, and even the most romantic of Stormers supporters will find it hard to criticise if a pragmatic game plan yields a title. After all, it’s been 10 years since a Cape team won a trophy if substance.
The Stormers came close to winning the Super 14 title last year, but fell short when they were tactically outplayed by the Bulls. They’ve only lost four games this season, but on each occasion they were outplayed in a similar manner.
Coetzee believes those results will have no bearing on a future play-off encounter, and feels the Stormers have matured since last season. According to Coetzee, they will not repeat the same mistakes.
‘I definitely think this side has grown. We have won a couple of semis, and while we lost two finals we did learn from the experience. We’ve also done well to keep winning this season despite being down to our fifth-choice flyhalf. For me that shows this team has the guts and temperament to be a success.’
24 Comments
21 Jun 2011, 05:30 am
Squeeeeeezing DRAGONS, oh dear!
21 Jun 2011, 05:30 am
Stats show that teams who are savvy in defense while they are attack orientated have won the super title more times. Only on 2 occasions where the superior defensive team of the tournament has won the whole thing whilst their attacking prowess was low – midtable.
Those teams who have been superior in attacking over the course of the tournament, top table with tries scored and mid table defense, have won more titles.
Look at the teams and you will get an idea how to tip.
Crusaders and Blues to win this weekend. next weekend Crusaders and Reds. Following weekend it will be a humdinger as both these teams are similar in this years tournament.
21 Jun 2011, 06:57 am
Waratahs are the dark horses this year watch out, they likely take Blues and they can take any of the others in their stride, Saders, Sharks, Stormers or Reds, Waratahs can take any of those. Don’t count Waratahs out.
21 Jun 2011, 08:14 am
stormers win next 2 games its home and dry, in the bag……
Whatever it takes boys, whatever it takes!
21 Jun 2011, 08:24 am
@grant10(grant10)-4: It’s amazing how simple that equation is, really! We have come far, and all those semifinal and Final heartbreaks will have to be put to bed in the next 3 weeks. No questions asked!
21 Jun 2011, 08:26 am
@Wallabie
I have to agree with you (as painful as it is), that historically an attack orientated side are in a better position to win the cup. Thinking back at the begiining of the season i was ready to put my house on the crusaders to win the cup, however they dont look so potent in the last four or so weeks.
Thus even if the crusaders might have the best point difference, recent form also needs to be looked at. Also, what a strong defensive unit such as the stormers do well is to keep the ball. they might not always score four tries, but they also dont give the opposition the opportunity to do.
I would say its the stormers vs crusaders are a 50/50 on a neutral venue, but we will just tip it in our favour on Newlands. Should be an epic battle – cant wait.
Then the final – depends if Quade has a good day or not. If he does, he dont stand a chance, however – I still prefer to go in with a balanced team and take my chances on the day with the pressure of a final.
And thats my emotional choices…
21 Jun 2011, 08:34 am
Big mistake to change tactics now. Why on earth would they do that ? Play the rugby that got you a home semi-final for goodness sake.
21 Jun 2011, 08:45 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-7: thats what AC is saying dumbo!
Against the Cheetahs we ran the ball….he is saying in the semi , dependent on our opponents, we may revert to our more conservative game plan.
Kan jy nie lees nie?
21 Jun 2011, 09:00 am
It’s interresting that if you look at the log of the top 6, bonus points did not cost anyone a home semi in the knockout stages. The first 3 teams won 13, 12 and 11 games respectively. The other 3 all won 10, with 2 of them adding a draw to their points tally.
The big loser was the Bulls who also won 10, but the Tahs aced them on bonus points (and the sharks too, despite their draw).
So lack of bonus points only cost the Bulls this year, not the Stormers as everyone was whining about at the beginning of the season.
Conservative may not be as entertaining to the rest of the country, but if you’re a Stormers fan it’s fine with us.
21 Jun 2011, 09:26 am
@grant10(grant10)-8: They’ll have to. funny how all the media is going on about the 4 tries they scored, but ignores the fact that they also let 4 tries through.
The Stormers were sneaky, but clever this weekend. Don’t think this tactic will work again. Everytime a breakdown took place the Stormers rather went to block the tackler (so he can’t roll away) than go for the ball. This was guarenteed penalties. (The Sharks did a similar thing a few weeks ago, but much more blatant)
This rule will eventually be blown different, because similar to the defender allowing the attacking player to place the ball, the defender should also be allowed to roll away. The rule interpretation is stupid, but the Stormers and Sharks have used it cleverly this year. (Oh, and the Reds as well.)
21 Jun 2011, 09:28 am
@wallabie – 2:
don’t agree bru, the reds haven’t play in any semi-final the last decade, so my guess is they will crumble under the play off pressure….even the flamboyant cooper’s tricks will be a gamble in such a tight affair, bethat the final of semi-final
21 Jun 2011, 10:15 am
@pikes14(pikes14)-11:
Interesting what you say!
Question how did the bulls start winning semis and finals – having a good run up to them. BMT is important but BMT is really about sticking to game plan under pressure. The reds have on at least 3 occassions have had to pull out the BMT.
Yes there is 3 weeks ahead but a successful team always starts somewhere.
21 Jun 2011, 10:26 am
ferrera – I agree. I have a hunch that the Sharks just may have found their stride in the type of game they are playing. The Sharks are playng a better attack style now than the Stormers, with a big defense as well!!!
If the Sharks had a home semi like The Stormers i would tip to win the S15 but they have to travel to play Crusaders will be tuff ask. I watched them at Twickers this year and the Sharks could have beaten the Crusaders if a few things had gone their way.
I am tipping the Sharks and Waratahs as finalist outsiders!!
The Stormers are limiting their potential again by goin gback to a defensive style instead of just playing the situation!!
21 Jun 2011, 10:29 am
AC looking to play it a bit negative… It never works. They lost to the Bulls by employing that kind of stupidity. Leave JDV on the wing.. He does well there. He blows hot and cold at center and it would be risky to play him there against formidable opposition.. I would however play him there against the Sharks
21 Jun 2011, 10:49 am
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-14: They lost to the Bulls because that dropped practically every pass so never got anywhere.
If they tighten up their handling their defensive game is very hard to beat.
They know what the Reds and Crusaders are likely to try against them as they’ve done it before and it worked, so they advantage of beinf fairly sure of the type of game each team is likely to play against them and so hopefully have a plan to plug the holes.
Hopefully.
21 Jun 2011, 11:00 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-13: Saders must be overall favourites along with The Reds if you consider experience and form respectively…
I was at the game earlier this year and am reading from the same page you are. The Sharks played for half a game against the Saders at Twickenham – if the travel doesn’t affect them and they rock up for the 2nd week in a row, I don’t think they will be rolled over as some expect.
Of course I am biased, but I’m backing them for an upset and hoping the Blues beat the Tah’s as the Tah’s are more of a worry for me in the latter stages (they are very good defensively and have game breakers for tight games – I never liked Kurtley Beale when he 1st hit the scene, but the man can play).
Go the Sharks
21 Jun 2011, 11:01 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-15: When you play negative or against your natural instincts, the errors tend to mount up. The Bulls game was a typical example of that.
21 Jun 2011, 11:06 am
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-17: I dunno, we played this game very successfully last year and for quite a few games this year. I’d even venture to say that it has become their “natural” game.
21 Jun 2011, 11:09 am
NicG – it is a shame the Sharks hit their stride late as i tihnk they have a better style of play than the Stormers to win the comp!! With Michelak and Lambie playing together they are a force and a half now!!
21 Jun 2011, 11:20 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-19: Well they are still in the comp, so they can still win it. It’s up to them.
21 Jun 2011, 11:31 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-18: There is a huge difference between defending well in an offensive strategy and defending well in a defensive strategy.. The latter makes you wait and see, leaving the opposition to dictate matters. You wait on them to make the errors. While you may win with this strategy, the chances of losing is greater
21 Jun 2011, 11:32 am
Its been a week since I was last here, I guess I wont be seeing Tacitus and his buddies anytime soon.
21 Jun 2011, 11:43 am
@race of tan(race of tan)-13: You peanut.
You can’t “tip someone to be outsiders”. If they are outsiders, then you are not tipping them to make it. If you think they will make it, you are saying they are not outsiders in your book.
In any case, calling the number 5th and 6th team on the log “outsiders to make the final” is hardly rocket science.
21 Jun 2011, 11:49 am
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-21: There’s no doubt that the stormers default defensive strategy means to have create a lot of your offense on turnovers and counter attacks, which means you have to defend more and therefore expend more energy, which at this stage of the comp is dangerous, I’m just amazed that it’s worked so well in spite of it’s risks. But work it has. Mostly.
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