Players who become “cream” at the Crusaders often were run of the mill in other franchises. It wasn’t until they were exposed to the Crusaders ethos that they achieved their potential.

The Top 150 rugby players in NZ are all contracted to the NZRFU. They are the paymasters.

So how could you realistically expect a Stormers team who only has 4 starting Springboks (Habs, Fourie, JDV, Burger) to compete with a almost full strength international team. Coming from a realistic Stormers fan, I do feel their was alot of blind patriotic faith coming from the Keo writers misleading the public into thinking the Stormers somehow should start as favourites.

Implying that I’m a stalker?

I’ve got no bloody interest in Stegmann’s personal life. This is a blog, and people throw the most meaningless load of rubbish around here.

Here and there you find something worth reading.

I say again: I was just supplying good reasons for why this penalty-risk stigma is nonsense. I don’t mind too much, but maybe I can help some people right and have some decent conversation at the same time.
You know, when the ill-informed stop whining about penalties and other things they know little about, then maybe they can start properly appreciating the rugby talent that this country has.

I’m not family, I support my team, as do you, and Stegmann happens to be a Bulls player and I’m glad for it. I just think that he has a very good case, and then people want an explaination and then I have to show them exactly why their thinking about “excessive” penalties is wrong. How simple can it be?

I don’t mind responding to people, I don’t mind taking the time to answer questions, or encourage discussion.
If I feel that somebody is wrong, I supply a reason why I think so. He can either:
A) Admit he was wrong; B) Keep quiet about the matter altogether; C) Counter my argument and try to convince me that I was mistaken; D) Respond irrationally like you did.

I don’t mind too much.

Well, we’ve seen it all. 2008? I don’t know if you can call it style where there is a lack of structure. But these men do take steps toward a certain style of play. A bit of a failure so far, but still. I actually think that last years EOTY was pretty successful. We didn’t get the grandslam etc. but we almost never lose Scotland. And we almost never win with Dickinson as the ref (something like 2 out of 18).
I just wonder how people would have reacted if we did beat Scotland and walked away with a grandslam for the first time in decades. The difference between respecting the team and calling for wholesale change was only a small handful of calls by a ref. It isn’t inconceivable that we can lose to Scotland in Scotland, you know. The point is: That team is still the same.

Not that what you say is wrong I just have trouble imagining our 3 stooges envisioning anything beyond their navels

Yes, but what to do when there are 4 available for selection? It’s about combos and how the coaches plan to divide the workload/roles between players, what style they envision.

I don’t mind. Why should I not like it? I regard Brussow as the best next to Stegmann with very little separating them.

It’s about time that Brussow gets back on track. Like Stegmann, if Brussow is fit, then he basically never has a bad game and always delivers a huge work rate.

I’m not going to change. And on the other thread you started it, so don’t tell me I have an unhealthy obsession. Are you obsessed with me?

I’m pointing this out because, as I mentioned above, no.6 will be an interesting choice in the next few weeks, and if people can’t complain about penalties regarding Steggies, what else do they have to complain about? So it takes a few posts to set the record straight.

Stegman, Daniels when he doesn’t brain **** etc etc. No point in arguing about it.

Sorry for bringing this debate up again. But the no.6 position is where we can expect some controversy and disagreement.

I just find it fascinating that, in South Africa, where we boast about our depth in loose forwards, Burger gets an injury and now in the minds of many there is only one man fit for the job, and the rest are suddenly rubbish.

Stegmann being the 1st choice since he was 21 in a union that has 3 from 4, and has the respect of his overseas counterparts, has no respect at home (well, amongst certain). That doesn’t make sense, and people are simply being hypocrites at this point.

Is your surname Stegmann? Father, brother or perhaps THE Stegmann?

If not your obsession is unhealthy.