Coetzee denies BMT concerns
3 Jul 2011
Allister Coetzee says the Stormers don’t suffer from ‘stage fright’, despite them losing a home semi-final and three other big matches at Newlands this season.
It was the same old, same old disappointment from the Stormers. After the Super 14 final and the Currie Cup semi-final defeats to the Bulls last year, they blew another play-off tie as they delivered a dismal display against the Crusaders that saw them lose 29-10.
Realistically, the Cape side were favourites for the win. The game was played in their own back yard and had the previous week off while the Crusaders had to travel from New Zealand immediately after their qualifier triumph over the Sharks the Saturday before. Despite this advantage, Coetzee’s men imploded. The hosts looked like they were the ones who travelled around the world for the match as they were outplayed and beaten convincingly.
In retrospect, the semi-final hiding against the Crusaders was the Stormers’ fourth big defeat at Newlands in 2011. They lost against the Reds, Crusaders (again) and Bulls during the league stage at home – all pressure fixtures. After the loss against the Bulls, Coetzee defended his team by saying they won more close games this year, even with a flyhalf injury crisis. After Saturday’s semi-final loss, Coetzee lamented the performance but argued that the players didn’t falter because of the pressure.
‘We didn’t suffer from stage fright. We were beaten by a better Crusaders side,’ Coetzee told keo.co.za. ‘There is reason to be critical. We were poor in the scrums, we made elementary errors and the Crusaders capitalised on turnover ball.
‘We also let ourselves down tactically. By half-time, the Crusades made 70 tackles while we only made 20. We had more ball but we were playing it in the wrong areas of the field. We played with two inexperienced scrummies too and they did well. The loss of Dewaldt Duvenage was huge though as he’s been in these type of situations before and he’s been instrumental for us.
‘But I don’t think we lost because of stage fright. We just need to take this defeat on the chin and move on. This has still been a successful season.’
Inside centre Jean de Villiers said the Stormers’ early missed try opportunity had an effect on the game.
‘We scored the first points of the match, but we should’ve scored a try,’ De Villiers said. ‘We ran about four or five phases near the try line and decided to go with the short options. The Crusaders would’ve been happy with only conceding three points in that situation. After that, they scored an intercept try and from then the momentum swung their way.
‘I think these play-off defeats will help us in future seasons. The Bulls lost play-off games before they won their first Super Rugby title. It’s flipping tough but we just need to keep our chins up.’
Coetzee added that he believes silverware will come soon as he plans to bolster his squad, especially now that flanker Francois Louw (Bath) and lock Anton van Zyl (Stade Francais) will head for Europe.
‘We want to win trophies but we will need to create depth in certain positions,’ said Coetzee. ‘The Crusaders had Matt Berquist and Brent Ward to depend on when they had injuries. Both of those players had Super Rugby experience. The Bulls also have depth as they always have quality players coming off their bench.
‘We need to build a squad of 40 players. There’s plenty of character here but we need to get it right. The trophies will come.’
By Gareth Duncan
175 Comments
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3 Jul 2011, 10:05 am
Grant10, I know you’re hurting but you’re pulling a Tacitus. Where are you?
3 Jul 2011, 10:05 am
Disgraceful Dragons, by the way.
3 Jul 2011, 10:09 am
Alistair I don’t think you can say that: 3 big games and 3 losses, 3 cups you had a chance at winning and you messed them all up.
Doesn’t sound good. The team yesterday was a shadow of the team that taught the Sharks 2 lessons this year.
3 Jul 2011, 10:10 am
That must have been the worst ever performance by a team in a Super Rugby semifinal. Awful.
3 Jul 2011, 10:12 am
What do Koster’s fan club – those who think he should be going to the RWC – have to say for themselves?
To be honest, I think he has great potential. But he showed yesterday that he is nowhere near ready.
3 Jul 2011, 10:13 am
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-4: In a semi maybe, I think the Chiefs hiding at Loftus in the final was the worst performance ever though.
3 Jul 2011, 10:22 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-6: I don’t remember the Chiefs playing that badly though – the Bulls were just on fire. But the Stormers – just awful.
3 Jul 2011, 10:29 am
me…a tacitus?
Never!
Came on late last night, I was at the game….
And again this morning on other thread.
I am happy to accept we were poor and turbo reversed ….
The truth is we were destroyed by a far better outfit and a few reputations lay in tatters this morning.
Stormers simply have to bolster squad….start at the props….both sides!
And we need a real general at 10…
I a,m all for the youth, but to win this damn competetion you need experience and depth.
I will personanally never accept this as an acceptable season [ AC should withdraw that contention ] .
Only a win is acceptable….the rest of the accolades are sister kissing.
Will be back later….
3 Jul 2011, 10:36 am
@grant10(grant10)-8: Good for you.
By the way, Habana’s try was extremely fortunate. When he dropped it on his boot it went much further than he was expecting and he had to dive for the ball. That is what got him under the tackles. Otherwise he probably would have been smashed. That was about the only thing that went right for the Stormers yesterday.
3 Jul 2011, 10:47 am
We had the world’s best centre pairing.” we were told again and again that jdv is a must for the world cup, as he has experience of playing on wet, heavy fields, having played for munster.
3 Jul 2011, 10:52 am
i find this infatuation withregards to buying more players laughable and a little bizarre.
the u21 group from last season was great….why not invest in them for a couple of years. nothing wrong with buying an excellent player in a specific position but the stormers have recruited more players than anyone else in the past 4 years with no return.
I’m pretty sure the bulls will call there young vodacom cup players and u21′s into the superrugby squad. surely this must be the way to go, if anything it builds the unions ethos and commitment and creates compition and ambition in the ranks.
is there really any surprise why the cape loses youngsters every year who become superstars elsewhere?
3 Jul 2011, 11:00 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl(Brigadier Van Zyl)-11: need a mix mate.
And stormers certainly need props….Kitshoff and Malherbe are both so young….they cannot realistically be expected to win Super 15 trophies at this stage….they can play and gain xperience, but we [ stormers ] need more depth……
F louw is a key player ….gone !
We need a class opensider….
It is no use believing in the pro era a bunch of good youngsters will take you all the way….they simply will not!
Stormers do not want to be 2 nd best….unacceptable….therefor we need to fully embrace the pro era and do what is neccessary by balancing the team with the touth and key areas that need to be rock solid.
That stormers front row were humiliated….I have not seen the turbo reverse so bad since plod in his hey day!
No Corporal Sunshine, Hard and critical evaluation has to be done….and I believe we are short in a few key areas as a Union.
3 Jul 2011, 11:13 am
We then bought world cup winning cj. To sit on the bench. We let mujati go. We have xholisi, nizaam and yaya.
3 Jul 2011, 11:15 am
@grant10(grant10)-12:
look, the Stormers are very much the Liverpool of sa rugby.
every season or 2 changing coach,changing players but in reality changing nothing.
3 Jul 2011, 11:19 am
In the past 2 years:
- The Stormers have won 2 from 3 semi finals at home.
- They have lost 2 AWAY finals. Winning a final away from home is a task not many have achieved.
- They have beaten the Bulls at Loftus, the Sharks at Durban (and convincingly at Newlands).
- They have won 5 from 8 games in Australasia including an unbelievable comeback in Auckland, even though they had several injured players missing.
- They have secured 3 home semi finals, which is more than any team in Super Rugby or CC can say.
So how can the Stormers have stage fright or be chokers in big matches. They played clinically in semi final victories over the Waratahs and Cheetahs. Winning away finals is not something that happens often. Don’t label them ‘chokers’, because they are not. They merely lost in this instance to a Crusaders team that is the best Super Rugby team in a while. Unfortunate home losses to the Reds, Crusaders and Bulls are overshadowing accomplishments which are not characteristic of a team that lacks BMT.
Disappointing season – yes, but don’t make this into something it’s not.
3 Jul 2011, 11:26 am
@Caper(Caper)-15: Some sober perspective here! Bravo!
3 Jul 2011, 11:26 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-3:
really? because blackadder’s been running the crusaders since 2007/8 and no silverware in the cupboard yet? and of course lets not forget, that fat old lady still has to sing her little bit so it might be another bare old cupboard for mrs hubbard again this year, guy…
so my point being…
3 Jul 2011, 11:28 am
@Caper(Caper)-15: you make some good points….however we must never allow ourselves to be satisfied at coming 2 nd…..or often that ‘acceptance culture ‘ becomes inherent.
For me I can take no solace in winning ithe SA Conference, etc….it is all about winning the trophy.
A few players were sadly out of there depth last night, fact.
Some are leaving…fact.
We need to make sure we replace well and do not solely rely on 20 and 21 year olds to do the job.
The inability to gain the services of Ruan Pienaar , Joe Pietersen, last year BJ Botha, is a poor reflection on the Stormers management this year and last…..
The Union has to be self critical and do a lot of introspection if we really harbour the desire to win this sort of tournament…I am sorry but I dont care about semis or making finals…..
I only care about winning….and I believe the Union should only measure its success on trophies in cabinets, not near misses.
3 Jul 2011, 11:29 am
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-17: Not interested in the Crusaders, they don’t have to prove anything. Stormers do though. Old mother hubbard went to the cupboard to get… oh wait it’s empty
3 Jul 2011, 11:30 am
@Caper(Caper)-15: Oh dear, choking implies not making it all the way through. Which you haven’t. Sounds like a choke to me chap.
3 Jul 2011, 11:31 am
@grant10(grant10)-18: You can me chap. Sharks and Stormers should have won at least one Super Trophy, both have been up and down. Not good enough from either of them.
3 Jul 2011, 11:35 am
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-5:
agreed
3 Jul 2011, 11:40 am
@grant10(grant10)-18: Yes, obviously I am (and I’m sure AC and the players are to) not satisfied with just another home semi final and a conference win. The Stormers were poor last night and many senior players never pitched up.
For me, our biggest problems were:
- A forward pack that were scrummed off the park and inconsistent at line out time. But the ‘Saders’ pack is the best in Super Rugby by a mile.
- Peter Grant showed PdV and everyone else why he is definitely not an option for the Boks. His line kicks are mediocre and his small goal kicking range limits the Stormers’ penalty options. To say that he did not dictate play is the understatement of the century.
- Jantjies offered nothing from fullback.
But the Stormers not chokers and don’t have stage fright. They are just inconsistent. As are the Springboks.
Hopefully Rassie and AC have a plan for the next few years. They are going to need one.
3 Jul 2011, 11:44 am
Turbo reversed!
Q
What do Brock, Liebenberg, Blaauw, Beast, Bismark and Jannie dup all have in common?
A
They all know the taste of their own arseholes after meeting the Franks snd the monster Crockett
3 Jul 2011, 11:44 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-20: Choking is not being able to perform on the big stage or when the stakes get high. The Stormers and WP have won many big matches and playoff matches in the past 2 years.
The Proteas are classic chokers. They haven’t won a playoff match (quarter final or semi final) in the CWC, despite winning numerous series and games between World Cups.
The All Blacks almost always dominate international rugby, yet when the RWC comes along they CHOKE under the pressure of expectations.
3 Jul 2011, 11:45 am
I hope this puts to bed any further notions of Allistair Coetzee becoming Bok coach.
He has been proven to be tactically mediocre, a poor selector, unable to inspire his players to perform in big games, and becomes flustered when under pressure in the second half, leading to rash substitutions out of desperation.
He is certainly not the man to coach the Springboks.
3 Jul 2011, 11:50 am
@Caper(Caper)-23:
Yes…
Facts are the saders are a brilliant outfit at the height of there powers….
The stormer scrum was humiliated…..the lineouts have been dicey for a while now….
again, I believe skop has it right about Elstaht being a blind side flank as opposed to a lock….he doesent get any lineout ball and the over reliance on A Bekker makes us predictable….this was even more so with Duane Vermeulen being absent.
I have been a Grant fan, but now have to face facts, he simply does not win the big games…..
AC is going to go to the cheque book, no doubts…..but needs to do so for the very best players and in those crucial positions where we have been found wanting.
I am not sure what will be happening, but we may very well see players like CJ, Habana, JF, Grant, Anton Van Zyl….F Louw all leaving….
I do not believe the u 21 s will easily fill those boots ….they may do a job, but will they win us the super 15 in 2012?
I dont think so.
Anyway, I am bleeding here, the loss cut deep….
Cheers
outta here
3 Jul 2011, 11:55 am
@Caper(Caper)-25: “The Stormers and WP have won many big matches and playoff matches in the past 2 years.”
No. You. Haven’t
3 Jul 2011, 11:57 am
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-19:
yes, but you cant make a rose into a spade at the same time depending on how you ‘feel’ like seeing it for your given situation. that same great team run by a great coach doing all the right things have gone hungry for as long as he’s been there (but have played some amazing footy along the way). how is this any different from the stormers story so far with ac? great team, great coach, doing all the right things and played some amazing footy along the way, but, came up short close to the final hurdle and like the crusaders under blackadder have now gone hungry.
but ac’s a doos- for his efforts so far and blackadder’s not? spades and roses guy, spades and roses…
3 Jul 2011, 12:03 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-28:
They have won 2 semi finals and many big teams (Bulls, Sharks, Crusaders, Blues, Waratahs to name a few).
3 Jul 2011, 12:07 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-29: Never commented on AC, I said Stormers are chokers. They continue to prove it.
3 Jul 2011, 12:14 pm
@Caper(Caper)-30: And how many cups?
Rather stop, it’s embarrassing.
3 Jul 2011, 12:17 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-32: Hahaha look, I’m not saying that the Stormers are unlucky not to have won. All I’m saying is that they have not won a trophy and some big games, because of inconsistency and the lack of a complete team and seal proof game plan.
3 Jul 2011, 12:18 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-31:
ok sure no probs, its just you said:
“3.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
3 Jul 2011, 10:09 am
Alistair I don’t think you can say that: 3 big games and 3 losses, 3 cups you had a chance at winning and you messed them all up.”
so i assume you refer to ac and not the team when you say “you messed them up”, but i guess you meant something different, cheers.
3 Jul 2011, 12:19 pm
@Caper(Caper)-33: It will come. Next year and this year to a degree it is a new competition.
The Mighty Bulls are leaving, a new breed needs to come through. Stormers have been so close perhaps next year (or this CC) is the time.
I’m not sure where the Sharks are, going up or down or sideways and it looks like the Lions are in freefall. Well unless they go to Soccer City for R25 bar as suggested.
3 Jul 2011, 12:20 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-34: I meant the team and the whole collective, sorry poor grammar on my part. Not blaming only the coach. Apologies for that.
3 Jul 2011, 12:22 pm
Stormers have thankfully stolen the “chokers” tag from the Sharks.
3 Jul 2011, 12:23 pm
Still, can’t see the Stormers winning the trophy before the Sharks… and I guess that view still holds firm.
3 Jul 2011, 12:40 pm
In the final analysis, two arguments were proved right about the Stormers:
Refereeing: Joubert gave a stunning performance yesterday, accurate at the break down and the scrums, let the game flowing, watched for offside and was totally honest and non biased, the Stormers haven’t done well under that kind of refereeing this season.
Carter: That man needs to be sent to the moon or else,,, he took the Stormers forwards out of the game by stretching them with his well aimed kicks at the comical back three, especially Jantese and Aplon, he forced (like Cooper before) the Stormers’ locks and loose forwards to cover for those tokens throughout the game, it also slowed the Stormers counter attack when likes of Bekker and Berger had to run from deep inside their own 22 time and again, I counted 9 times of Koster breaking the line’s first and 2nd tackles just to became isolated without ANY forwards’ support.
We shall see in all likelihood new stalwarts such as Mujati and Lobert inserted into the Stormers’ lineup, the frequent subsequent defeats surely to keep the Stormers quiet for sometime, especially AC
3 Jul 2011, 12:45 pm
It could be much worse, the Crusaders avoided running up the score to keep themselves ready for the final, imagine what if they wouldn’t?
(They scored 6 points 2nd half)
3 Jul 2011, 13:00 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-39:
i’m gonna take a stab at saying ‘your clearly not a stormers supporter then, are you?’..chop
3 Jul 2011, 13:07 pm
3 Jul 2011, 13:10 pm
Let’s cut the bullsh*t.
The last two seasons was the Stormers team at their peak. They ain’t gonna get any better than this.
Next year Habana will be gone, Francois Louw will be gone, Jacque Fourie and de Villiers will either be gone or over their best (Fourie is already a yard slower than he was when he scored that series winning try for the Boks against the British Lions), Burger is already over his best and slipping further every year, etc. etc.
If the Stormers were going to win a trophy in this 5 year cycle, it should have been last year or this year. All this talk of building to something new is a farce.
You could see it in De Villiers’ and Burger’s eyes. They know they will never win a Super trophy in their careers. This was their chance, and they couldn’t take it.
The Stormers’ peak has come and gone, and they have nothing to show for it.
The Bulls’ peak has also come and gone, but they have 5 Currie Cups and far more importantly, 3 Super rugby trophies in the bag a a reward for their efforts.
Sorry Stormers fans. Your team blew their chance at glory.
3 Jul 2011, 13:18 pm
@he’s not the messiah. he’s a very naughty boy!(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-41:
I surly supported them yesterday, and lost money in the process
Joubert with his stunning performance put the whole scenario on its head, did you notice Jonker’s omission at the last minute? he was still on the officials’ List yesterday
3 Jul 2011, 13:21 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-43:
Not sure about Fourie, did you watch his defensive interception from the Crusaders on the try line?
Must be happened at 10.8/100m
3 Jul 2011, 13:29 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-43:
Let’s just say none of these Silvers were won by the Bulls with Chilibooi in their line up
The game changed now, better get ready for another long dry spell
3 Jul 2011, 13:32 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-46:
I must be honest and say I find you overly fixated on racial issues in rugby.
While the quota system deserves criticism, not all players of colour are quotas.
You need to learn to make that distinction, I reckon.
3 Jul 2011, 13:34 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-43:
really? because blackadder’s been coaching the crusaders since 2007/8 and he’s won sweet phukall to date in his teams cycle (might even go home empty handed this season too). where would you say, according to your theory, his team is peaking at within their 5 year cycle? is it right now? was it a few seasons ago? is it still a season to come in their 5yr cycle?
its a good thing this isnt science and we dont need these theories to prove fundamental aspects of reality as needed isnt it?
3 Jul 2011, 13:35 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-43: The combination of (i) being thumped 27 – 0 by the Crusaders away; (ii) being drilled at home by the Sharks; and (iii) out-muscled at home by the Highlanders; lends me to think that the Bulls wouldn’t have fared any better were they to have played the Crusaders at home yesterday.
Well done on your 3 trophies. I can only guess how it would have turned out had the rightful team won it back in 2007.
3 Jul 2011, 13:37 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-44:
oh ok, sorry. i guess you get the benefit of a ’50/50′ call then
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