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
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30 Jun 2011, 08:32 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-22: hahahaha you’re such a hater
30 Jun 2011, 08:40 am
Groom will be on bench Saturday.
30 Jun 2011, 08:43 am
@grant10(grant10)-45:
what’s not to understand?
the stormers supporters are mostly all w/nkers….that they are in a semi turns them all into herculean w/nkers. Is it no wonder half the newlands stadium usually support the y “other” okes?
and then of course…the stormers management rush to get an overseas player into the side from nowhere. Same as the sharks. Everyone generally gets what they deserve somewhere along the line.
this should be a gimme of a game for the stormers.
this will be the 4th time the crusaders are coming over for a semi in the past 4/5 years. they have yet to come within 12 points of the home side(bulls) in the past.
30 Jun 2011, 08:46 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-49:
Vemeulen not being available is going to have a significant impact, especially with the defensive game plan we are talking.
Koster is an adequate replacement though, I do hope he is given a bit of a license to play his natural attacking game !!
But expect pretty much the same as we have seen all season !!
30 Jun 2011, 08:47 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-53: Shame boet. Get a life ok?
It’s not our fault your team is kuk this year..
30 Jun 2011, 08:48 am
I remember Britz from his time with the stormers in the past.
couldn’t throw, couldn’t tackle,couldn’t pass,definately couldn’t scrum, needed directions to find a ruck.
sidestep and speed off the mark, he was a legend at.
So basically, he is a hooker that needs a hard as fck props and locks.
30 Jun 2011, 08:51 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-55:
were still good enough to turn over your soft twats 3 weeks ago at your home ground.
not exactly championship form is it now?
expect the crusaders to win this one. They are in better form and dickenson isn’t there to blow richie off the park for your guys..
30 Jun 2011, 08:52 am
I have no idea why jantjies has been selected either.
30 Jun 2011, 08:53 am
Don’t think the Jantjies move is a clever one. Would have sticked with Gio on fullback. But yeah , the coach have the final say. Still believe we can win this one. All of a sudden Richie is back after spending most of the season relexing and getting himself ready for the 3N and worldcup. Stormers go go go go !!!!!
30 Jun 2011, 08:54 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-54: One or two key omissions like Dewalt, Jaque and Duanne and we will really struggle to implement that game plan though
Jaque for me is one of the absolute key men, along with Peter and Andries. The 3 of them are so critical to the successful execution of the strategy that not having one will make a significant enough impact to sway the game IMO.
Much like Porra, Steyn and Victor for the Bulls.
Going to be tough if Jaque doesn’t make it. He’s the real backline general in the team!
30 Jun 2011, 08:55 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-53: @Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-56: couldnt scrum…couldnt win a lineout…
Sounds like you describing the bulls 2011.season.
You bitter fool.
Outta here
30 Jun 2011, 08:59 am
@grant10(grant10)-61:
doesn’t say much for your lineout and scrum does it?
the bulls would have promoted one of their own from the ranks…not got in some bloke from the uk for a knockout game.
it’s why I’m confident the bulls will be back in relatively quick time.
coaching restructure……tick
playing talent……….tick
30 Jun 2011, 09:01 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-62:
And recruiting some young backline talent from the WP.
30 Jun 2011, 09:05 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-60:
You 100% right !!!!,
Most teams have certain key individuals that make a huge difference, again this is where quality of depth and the trust in the squad system comes in……………….. the side that can fill gaps left by star/key players with other players of almost equal quality are obviously the sides that will do well in the competition. The saders have been very successful at this !!
What is the latest on Jaques injury ??
30 Jun 2011, 09:06 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-62:
Please tell me, how many of the Bulls players actually come from the Western Province?
Playing talent – yeah, right.
30 Jun 2011, 09:06 am
@pakslae(pakslae)-63:
well, so long as your coaches keep selecting okes like januarie and jantjies all season long…..they will be happy to go.
30 Jun 2011, 09:07 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-66:
and even okes from overseas from nowhere…….
30 Jun 2011, 09:07 am
@pakslae(pakslae)-63:
Please do !!!!!! so much talent here we can’t contract all of them !!!
Turn them into superstars and then send them back home…………..thanks !!!
30 Jun 2011, 09:08 am
to put it into context…….had the cheetahs needed a player for a one off game, they probably would have pulled him in from the grey 1st 15.
30 Jun 2011, 09:09 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-62:
The “some bloke from the UK” went to school in Stellenbosch and played for Maties/WP/Stormers – not exactly a foreigner.
Why does it worry you so much that they brought him back to sit on the bench- if he is as bad as you are making him out to be he won’t make any positive contribution and the Stormers will be worse off (might lose) and you will be happy?
30 Jun 2011, 09:10 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-65:
playing talent, WP always had enough of.
coaching and selection scrupples they have always be short of.
30 Jun 2011, 09:12 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-66:
Yeah, just don’t fool yourself or give the impression that all the talented players coming through the bulls ranks are actually home grown.
As a stormer supporter, I’m glad Heyneke’s back at the Bulls, it’s good for SA rugby to have a guy of his pedigree involved again.
Just stop the arrogance dude!
30 Jun 2011, 09:16 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-70:
oh, don’t get me wrong, WP can go ahead and select who they like.
that’s if they want to keep ******** over their own structures that they finally look to have put in place.
that particular sanzar rule is a joke though. WP have manipulated it much the same way the sharks did with michaelak.
by the way, fourie,grant,habana,van der linde,van zyl,vermuelen,jantjies and januarie are all players recruited as already seasoned proffessional.
no doubt if Johann Sadie goes to the Bulls they will turn him into an international calibre backline player.
30 Jun 2011, 09:18 am
As a humanitarian I have done much soul searching and come to the conclusion that I have to put my petty national interests aside and support the Crusaders in their year of need. It is the humane thing to do, considering all they’ve been through in 2011.
As much as it hurts me, I therefore have to shout against the Stormers this weekend.
30 Jun 2011, 09:19 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-73:
Sadie’s not going anywhere.
30 Jun 2011, 09:19 am
@pakslae(pakslae)-72:
the major difference is that most of the bulls recruitment is primarily done at school level.
30 Jun 2011, 09:21 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-67:
Magtag jy’s woes vanoggend
Some poor oke forget to salute you?
30 Jun 2011, 09:22 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-75:
maybe not, i think the bulls have enough young backs coming through. We have an army of looseforwards coming through. Young locks look an issue.
we have flip and juandre, maybe danie if he stays another season. Fudge isn’t a worldbeater in my opinion.
30 Jun 2011, 09:23 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-77:
the crack of dawn should feel free to salute the brigadiers morning glory anytime.
30 Jun 2011, 09:24 am
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-74: tl tl tl go you goo thing
30 Jun 2011, 09:28 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-57: I do expect the Crusaders to win this one actually. But I’ll be screaming for my guys like it’s the end of the world.
As for us soft twots, we weren’t that soft when we beat you guys at loftus earlier this year….
30 Jun 2011, 09:28 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-73:
The Stormers/Sharks did not make the rule and they have also not acted outside it – dont blame them from trying their utmost to win a competition.
I have not made any comments regarding the recruitment of the players you mentioned-it is professional sport, anybody can recruit whoever they want, I have no problem with that.
Sadie is sadly for your guys tied up for at least another year and by then he will probably be the first choice centre in the Cape with no incentive to go and live in Pretoria.
30 Jun 2011, 09:30 am
@justrugby(justrugby)-64: Not sure. Holding thumbs……..
30 Jun 2011, 09:31 am
i hope the stormers don’t go and play their borethon defensive game.
history has shown that in semis you have to get right in the crusaders face and play at tempo. Put them out of their comfort zone, make them do the tackling and make the 11000kms count in the last 20 minutes.
if the stormers sit back and let them retain possession through phases, they will not get bored like lesser teams do. They will find a way to open the defense up.
30 Jun 2011, 09:31 am
@schalk brits has got more x-factor than os(Transformation)-80: Not another one!!
30 Jun 2011, 09:33 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-81:
I also do not feel particularly confident.
The uncertainty about Fourie/Duvenhage is not helping either.
Talks are now that they are going to change the bench even further and bring Rose in to cover for Grant.
Nervous times for sure.
30 Jun 2011, 09:34 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-76:
I’m not going to bother trying to get my point across to you, it’s a Stormers article anyway.
You and the other “tool” Tacticus are so anti-WP, you’ll actually force yourselves to support the Crusaders on Saturday.
30 Jun 2011, 09:34 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-82:
you sound guilty. no they have not broken any rule…but they sure have manipulated it and it certainly is not in the “spirit” of the original rule.
a hooker playing 8?
come on
30 Jun 2011, 09:37 am
@pakslae(pakslae)-87:
yeah, it is a wp thread.
possibly an insight into how frikken annoying it is when Timotei Shampoo and Namatwat,etc…..highjack other threads with their foul mouths and name calling,ne?
30 Jun 2011, 09:37 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-79:
That’s just disgusting.
And los vir Fudge.
30 Jun 2011, 09:38 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-88:
That is one hell of a versatile hooker, just check him on Saturday.
He is even a better centre than the famous enforcer Dr Uli Schmidt used to be.
30 Jun 2011, 09:38 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-82:
how will sadie be first choice?
are devilliers,fourie, all retiring suddenly?
30 Jun 2011, 09:39 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-91:
skalk britz nor any other hooker will ever score a try like Uli did in Loftus in ’86 vs the Cavaliers.
30 Jun 2011, 09:40 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-90:
I though that play on words was very witty for the Brigadier?
30 Jun 2011, 09:41 am
I honestly don’t understand the pessimism of the Stormers’ fans.
Sure, we can moan about the Jantjes selection giving away the gameplan and reeking of conservatism and predictability, but then the other side of the coin is that most SA teams find comfort and extra confidence in having a well-defined structure and gameplan.
Ag nee a boys. Look at the positive side.
Playing at home. Against a team who has travelled half the globe.
History suggests a tough time for the Crusaders.
30 Jun 2011, 09:42 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-92:
Jean de Villiers will probably be retiring in the next year.
30 Jun 2011, 09:45 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-96:
From WP I mean, he’ll be looking to go and play overseas for two more years.
30 Jun 2011, 09:45 am
@willievz(willievz)-95:
jeah, but it is not loftus it is Newlands.
And Dickenson isn’t there to blow Richie off the park.
hardly a fortress with 3 home losses already this season.
The Crusaders look to be on a better run of form as well.
but who knows with these sort of things.
Crusaders will definately look to start well and get the crowd on the stormers backs.
Which is pretty funny in a bizzarre sort of way really.
30 Jun 2011, 09:46 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-92:
I cannot see that Jean de Villiers(30 years old already) for example will be able to keep Sadie out of the team for another season.
There is also a possibility that Jaque might go overseas after the world cup- his contract expires at the end of this season.
30 Jun 2011, 09:47 am
@willievz(willievz)-95:
Where it was an 80/20 game in favour of the Crusaders, the travel has reduced it to 60/40 in their favour.
I can see Allistair with his deer in headlights look after 60 minutes, making wholesale changes to desperately revert to a Plan B. Any plan B, as long as it replaces Plan A.
He’s already hinting at it, what with Schalk Brits, Deon Fourie etc. on the bench, ready for a “change in plan” in the second half.
Good luck to him.
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