Stormers guilty of unnecessary gamble
30 Jun 2011
JON CARDINELLI says that by adopting an overly defensive mindset the Stormers run the risk of becoming predictable and thus increasingly beatable in Saturday’s semi-final at Newlands.
On Wednesday, Allister Coetzee tried to justify Conrad Jantjes’s selection at fullback. The Stormers’ coach stated that Jantjes was a good defender and a sound tactical kicker. He said that in a territorial battle at a rain-ravaged Newlands, Jantjes could have an important role to play.
On the basis of Jantjes’s form, I’d argue that Coetzee’s faith in the player as a fine positional fullback and great line-kicker is misplaced. I’d also argue that the alternative, Gio Aplon, is just as capable of playing a tactical kicking game, and that starting Aplon at fullback will give the Stormers more attacking, counter-attacking and kicking options.
But the Stormers seem determined to stick to an overly defensive approach. They seem determined to limit their options and favour reactionary tactics. Some will call it conservative, safe and necessary given the expected conditions and pressure of a semi-final. I call it putting all your eggs into one basket.
While the Stormers will need to be sharp on defence, they will also need to take whatever scoring opportunities come their way. Defence will be important, but they can’t stonewall the Crusaders for 80 minutes. There needs to be some variation, or at least the prospect of an attack.
Jantjes has struggled to impose himself on attack since returning from a serious leg injury last year. The opposition don’t recognise him as a threat, and are content to kick on him and wait for the error or the predictable kick return.
It’s a tactic that worked for the Bulls in their victory at Newlands three weeks ago. They kicked relentlessly on Jantjes and Bryan Habana, and when the Stormers’ pair didn’t lose the ball, they inevitably turned it over when they attempted to counter-attack.
Most teams will be wary about kicking on Aplon. While he has done well on the wing for both the Stormers and South Africa, he is better utilised at fullback. On attack, he can come into the backline on both sides of the field. On the counter-attack, he can turn a poor kick into a try at the other end. And in a territorial exchange, Aplon’s underrated left boot can earn the Stormers valuable metres.
There’s nothing special about Janjtes on attack and nothing imposing about his kicking game either. The Stormers’ decision to play him at 15 will be cheered by the Crusaders, as this will allow the visitors to employ their own pressure tactics.
The Crusaders will attempt to pressure the Stormers’ back three with a good kick chase or alternatively wait for Jantjes to kick the ball back. Since the Cantabrians have an imposing defensive system of their own and a superior halfback combination that boast all the necessary attacking skills as well match-winning tactical-kicking accuracy, they have every right to expect that this approach will yield the desired results.
Coetzee argues that if the Stormers’ overly defensive approach doesn’t work, there is still the fall-back option of switching to all-out attack in the second half. In that event, Deon Fourie and Schalk Brits will come off the bench, and Aplon will move to fullback.
But what Coetzee fails to remember is that the Crusaders are particularly good at punishing desperate teams. They crept ahead of the Sharks through the goal-kicking of Dan Carter, and once they had established an eight-point lead, the Sharks were forced to take chances. Kieran Read intercepted a wild pass from Pat Lambie, and from there the Crusaders continued to feed off mistakes caused by the visitors’ increasing desperation.
The Stormers would have been better served to start Aplon at fullback against the Crusaders. They will still be favourites, but starting Jantjes at fullback means the pack and the halfbacks will have to work doubly hard to ensure his deficiencies are not exposed to a game-costing degree.
210 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All
30 Jun 2011, 05:34 am
Its a semi final Defense wins semi finals
30 Jun 2011, 05:38 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-1: Ja, maybe, Coach, but where do poephols like Jantjes and Habana fit into this sterling defensive plan?
30 Jun 2011, 05:38 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-1:
Coach is ‘n draak!!!!
But you are spot on, JC seems to forget it is finals time and you don’t need bonus points, you don’t get a second chance. Flashy rugby gets you knowhere.
30 Jun 2011, 05:41 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-3:
Dankie ek se Whats a Draak I failed Afrikaans
@kwas(kwas)-2:
Two experianced players at some point Habana is going to to have a good game
30 Jun 2011, 05:48 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-4:
Pointing out you forgot to put the compulsary DRAGON in you first up post…
30 Jun 2011, 05:52 am
@Slartibartfast(Slartibartfast)-5:
Oh ok sorry
30 Jun 2011, 06:11 am
just read now that Stormers are seeking Sanzar permission for Nic Groom to be made eligible for the game Sat…..indicating Duvenhage will probably miss out!
This is a major problem as Duvenhage was also the stand by 10 in case of any problems with Grant.
Earl Rose may well also be called up if Duvenhage confirmed out.
30 Jun 2011, 06:18 am
As for this Aplon at 15 question……it is a quandary of sorts….
Aplon at 15 does allow the inclusion of the 3 bok centres in the run on 15….but it appears AC wants the JDV…JF combo to start this game.
I am glad I dont have to make the call to be honest, there is a 30 % chance of some rain as well….this will nullify an overly ball in hand approach ….
Big calls …..tough I tell you….
Brendan Venter saying Schalk Brits the most talented player he has ever coached or seen!
Big praise indeed.
30 Jun 2011, 06:30 am
Gotta love these keo guys determination to trash everything… Seems they will oppose whatever is said or done… just because…
Alister Coetzee is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t…
So in the esteemed opinion of one Jon Cardinelli… the stormers are guilty of an unnecessary gamble… by returning to their most widely acknowledged strength among rugby lovers and experts… their defence… the best in Super Rugby for the past two seasons…?
If Alister Coetzee had announced that the Stormers were going to play a loose, run at all costs… from anywhere… game to run the Crusaders off their feet and say they want to score 10 tries in the semi… would JC consider that a more reasonable, less of a gamble plan for a Super Rugby semi-final…?
But playing to their acknowledged, and statistically confirmed, strength is now an unnecessary gamble…??
Go figure…!
30 Jun 2011, 06:40 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-1:
That is true most of the time but the Crusaders will still look to attack and score plenty of tries.
30 Jun 2011, 06:43 am
@grant10(grant10)-8:
Brendon Venter is spot on! Unfortunately a player with flair, skill and brains is not readily accepted in South Africa. We tend to see the bash and carry as a skill. He would walk into most world teams – just not SA as they have the great Smit (not).
30 Jun 2011, 06:48 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-11:
Most talented player he has ever seen, thats a very very big call don’t you think for a guy who really is a nobody in world rugby.
30 Jun 2011, 06:48 am
@ufo(ufo)-9: well said!
30 Jun 2011, 06:55 am
how come noone is talking about travel fatigue re the crusaders?
30 Jun 2011, 07:00 am
Thanks Transie…
Off to work…
Later…!
30 Jun 2011, 07:04 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-14:
Thats all we heard last week.
30 Jun 2011, 07:05 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-14:
It is an excuse best used by the losing team…
But having said that, if anybody for one minute thinks it will not impact the Crusaders then they are bonkers. This is at best a 50/50 game swinging the Stormers way because of the travel factor.
If things go accoring to plan we will again talk about this when the Stormers pack their bags for Brisbane…
30 Jun 2011, 07:06 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-12:
Brits not Venter.
30 Jun 2011, 07:26 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-18: Brendon Venter no lightweight my friend.@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-11:
Spot on Sir.@ufo(ufo)-9: yes….easy to be critical when you are not in charge and tasked with making these ‘ life and death ‘ decisions…
30 Jun 2011, 07:35 am
We are going to run the Stormers off the park – 1st half will be tight and then we will unleash – the Crusade must go on !!!
30 Jun 2011, 07:36 am
Will we have another Ryan article to counter this one?
It feels like the guys are just churning words at the moment.
“lets write every possible permutation of article on the Stormers…..they must defend….they must attack…..too conservative….conservative wins the day…..pick the youngsters…..pick experience…..”
Did I miss anything?
30 Jun 2011, 07:39 am
I see the all-knowing Brendan Venter says people in the UK make Chuck Norris jokes about Schalk Brits due to his off the charts talent and ability to do anything.
Henceforth I shall refer to the man as Chuck Norris everytime I post about him. As in: Chuck Norris just got tackled out of his socks, Chuck Norris just got flattened by SBW and Chuck Norris is the shortest eighthman in world rugby.
30 Jun 2011, 07:39 am
the big and most influential factor Sat may well end up being the weather…..
Then it is up to the tactical out of hand kicking of the 9 and 10 s .
Definite advantage Saders
30 Jun 2011, 07:40 am
@grant10(grant10)-19:
Agreed, but Brits the best ever?
30 Jun 2011, 07:42 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22: Mr Sunshine.
Bored are we?
Car all shiny and polsished…..cupboards all stocked from the Mall shopping?
Seen all the Sat movies?
Now its try and be critical of stormers every move and players?
what your bulls doing this weekend?
training for cc?
30 Jun 2011, 07:42 am
The point is that Aplon is no weaker on defence than Janjies and Aplon offers more on attack. I like the impact players on the bench, it should be interesting to see how they impact the game in the last 20 when the Crusaders will clearly have lead in their legs – mouth watering stuff.
Prediction – Stormers by 7. Carter to have a dreadfull day, which is not uncommon for him at Newlands..under pressure
30 Jun 2011, 07:44 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-24:
I tell you 1 thing…..I would rather have Schalk Brits than that soft show pony Spies any day of the week….
Old shorty has more heart in his thumb than the cowardly Spies has in his entire damn body!
30 Jun 2011, 07:46 am
@Honkie(Honkie)-26:
The last time the Crusaders played at Newlands they surged home in the last 20, there will be no lead this time around either.
30 Jun 2011, 07:46 am
@stew(stew)-20: If the Saders want to have any say in this game they must do the business in the 1st half. 2nd half they will feel the fatigue…..
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22: I’ll bet you will agree with Venter if Schalk played for the Bulls right?
30 Jun 2011, 07:48 am
Thing is, and I’ve always enjoyed watching Schalk play, is that you re not going to really be able to judge his play this weekend, as he is not allowed to play at hooker, so we won;t see if his scrummaging or line out play his improved.
We already know about his ability with the ball in hand.
Should make for some good entertainment of he comes on though.
30 Jun 2011, 07:48 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-24: certainly Brits is an ideal player to have coming on in the last 30 minutes for this [particular fixture, given the Saders travel.
It is a gamble worth taking.
I saw a lot of the Saracens games this year….as well as the final.
In that final Brits walked on water…..colossus….
Compared to Plod and Spies it was like night and day.
some bitter bulls on this site forgetting how the rest of the country got fully behind the bulls in previous knockouts….
but fark em i say…FARKEM!
30 Jun 2011, 07:49 am
What a semi final to look forward to, all the planning, analysing is done, squads announced, now it’s all about execution of game plans, referee calls and the proverbial bounce of the ball.
Sides evenly balanced, (slight ) home ground advantage
, travel factor and I believe a slightly greater desire to win will see the Stormers home.
I’m going with Stormers by 9 !!!
30 Jun 2011, 07:50 am
@grant10(grant10)-27:
Have to be honest here never really heard of the guy, Spies will be your number 8 in NZ he’ll get bogged down in the mud and be marginalized by Read again.
30 Jun 2011, 07:53 am
Brendan Venter says statistically the Saracens lineout was the best in the tournament.
Plod misses his jumpers just as much as anyone.
His supposed accuracy is a myth as well.
1 st throw on Sat he virtually gifted the Saders a try [ helds up ] after another overthrow.
Last year gave away 2 test trys vs australia and wales as well with his ‘ accurate ‘ throws.
Plod is no more than a con job.
But doesent fool me.
Venter makes some great points in his arcticle on news 24.
He is light years ahead of the 3 stooges , an astute rugby brain….
30 Jun 2011, 07:54 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-33: not sure about that….seems PDV smelling the coffee….lots of talk of a loose combo of schalk Burger at 8, J Smith at 7 and Brussow at opensider
30 Jun 2011, 07:57 am
@grant10(grant10)-31:
Ok will be interested to see how he goes, I would have thought the whole of SA would get behind your boys this weekend?
30 Jun 2011, 07:59 am
@grant10(grant10)-35:
That would be a much better combo, any news on Smith’s rehab what a great player he is?
30 Jun 2011, 08:03 am
I will put Alberts, Brusow and Burger (8) – what power is that ?? Can Smith come back from another injury, will he last? Alberts is pure power, I am amazed that he picked up his first injury against the Crusaders considering how brutal his game is.
30 Jun 2011, 08:04 am
Many Singletons last night at a mates place (birthday), no hangover this morning…………..marvelous stuff, !!!!!! …………go out and get it !!!
30 Jun 2011, 08:11 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-39: Well if we win on Saturday I’ll be nursing the mother of all hangovers come Sunday!
Mind you, I’ll be probably be doing that if they lose too…….
30 Jun 2011, 08:13 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-40:
Aint that the truth !!!
30 Jun 2011, 08:14 am
One question guys can anyone tell me when hanana’s contract with WP ends?
30 Jun 2011, 08:15 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-39:
Lol, is that single women or single drinks?
How do you pick the game on Saturday?
30 Jun 2011, 08:17 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-43:
LOL !!! I am a married man
Stormers by 9 !
30 Jun 2011, 08:18 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-36: some bitter bulls….
Sharks fans showing honour….
Dont understand Bulls attitudes…
30 Jun 2011, 08:18 am
@seabiscuit(seabiscuit)-42: end of super 15 this season
30 Jun 2011, 08:20 am
@Honkie(Honkie)-38: Juan Smith is a banker at the back of the lineout…
the others not so.
30 Jun 2011, 08:21 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-37: apparently he is training again…..he will need to play at least a couple of games in tri nations i guess ….if he is to be able to confirm readiness for wc that is…
30 Jun 2011, 08:23 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-44:
I hope you are right about the score.
That is the rugby score
I wonder whether they are going to allow Koster on Saturday to play his natural game (and keep Schalk out of the backline) or whether they will expect him to try and play like Vermeulen .
I guess if it is wet and slow we are going to miss Vermeulen even more.
30 Jun 2011, 08:24 am
I couldn’t agree more with this article. We need to get rid of this “conservatism” in our rugby.
This Jantjies selection is only one example of many situations in SA rugby where we opted for the “tried and tested” or “safe option” or whatever you may call it…It’s a whole lot of BULL if you ask me… yes Jantjies will be steady, but he won’t win a game for you either!
In these tight games, it can only take one moment of brilliance or a line break that will win you the game. Now we nullify our best attacking weapon by playing him on the wing and we have our best centre prospect in years on the bench. And these guys aren’t exactly suspect on defensive either.
We just don’t embrace natural flair like the Ausies on NZ do.
We’re playing right in the hands of the Crusaders.
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.