Stormers survive the Hurricane

Stormers survive the Hurricane

25 Feb 2012

JON CARDINELLI reports on the Stormers’ unconvincing 39-26 win over an ill-disciplined yet plucky Hurricanes side on Saturday.

A last-minute effort by fullback Joe Pietersen so nearly earned the Stormers a bonus-point try, but it seemed fitting that the Cape side were denied a full-haul of log points. In fact, the Stormers turned in a performance that was at times so loose that they were fortunate to walk away with a win at all.

They dominated the early stages of the first half, their forwards manhandling the tourists at the point of contact and via the rolling maul. The loss of captain Schalk Burger to what appeared to be a serious knee injury did little to stall their forward momentum, and by the 34th minute they had established a formidable 20-9 lead.

It was all the Hurricanes could do to spoil at the breakdowns and at the maul, and by the end of the half they had lost props Tristan Moran and Ben May to yellow cards for professional fouls. Despite the two-man disadvantage, however, the Hurricanes stonewalled the limited Stormers attack and struck with a try of their own right on half-time. Beauden Barrett followed up a cool goal-kicking display with a game-breaking offload right on the buzzer, and centre Tim Bateman finished under the posts.

Suddenly the team that had been on the wrong side of a savage beating was only seven points adrift. The Hurricanes were also first to score in the second stanza when Barrett intercepted a loose pass by Jean de Villiers and raced clear. The young flyhalf showed terrific pace to avoid a desperate Gio Aplon en route to the tryline, and then managed to get up and slot a difficult conversion.

The next 20 minutes was a mixed bag for the hosts, who produced some impressive forward drives but also put themselves under unnecessary pressure with basic errors. If they had been playing a more experienced Hurricanes outfit, they may not have been so fortunate to escape with the spoils.

They were awarded a penalty try after a sustained period on attack in Hurricanes territory, and Pietersen continued to knock the penalties over to generate some breathing room. There were some positives in an largely erratic display, and Pietersen’s goal-kicking under pressure was certainly one of them.

The maul also worked well, but the Stormers still seem to lack that killer instinct on attack. They should have scored a try towards the end of the first half and buried the Hurricanes, but flyhalf Gary van Aswegen eventually opted for the drop goal after it was clear the hosts weren’t going anywhere. This after stand-in captain Jean de Villiers had decided to turn down goalable penalties and push for the try.

There were also a number of youngsters on show for the hosts, but considering their fine start, they should have put this inexperienced and ill-disciplined Hurricanes side away by far more.


319 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 » Show All

  • 51.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:12 pm

    Burger with the play maker pass to put Apples away.

    Fuckadilly will be choking on his hubbly.

  • 52.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:12 pm

    Wow Gio has got some pace.

    One of the best individual playmakers in the game today.

    Digby who?

    Corey who?

    yawn ;)

    :D

  • 53.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:14 pm

    The Hawston Express!

    Choo, choo!

    Stormers being heavily penalised at the breakdown.

  • 54.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:15 pm

    But thankfully the tall boys causing all sorts of havoc in the line outs

  • 55.Guns: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:15 pm

    lol Burger actually caught the falling ******* and gave him a softer landing.. I see Game is delayed on tv here in Uk few seconds or a minute..

  • 56.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:16 pm

    Skop is considering Schalk’s highlights and will be here at 19h00 with analysis

  • 57.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:18 pm

    Guns.

    How was workout today.

  • 58.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:18 pm

    Brock 1 random loosehead 0

  • 59.cab: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:19 pm

    this is a big stormers pack, they can maul this canes pack allround the park, not sure about the scrum.

  • 60.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:20 pm

    Schalk…………hang in there buddy……..

  • 61.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:20 pm

    That’s schalks season.

  • 62.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:21 pm

    kak… not good start now.

  • 63.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:21 pm

    He’s off

  • 64.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:22 pm

    So glad to have Joe back.

    Hope Schalla is OK

  • 65.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:22 pm

    Joe and schalk went to same hairdresser

  • 66.Guns: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:23 pm

    Eish not good news Burger looked like he was in plenty pain, could see it was a nasty twist.

  • 67.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:23 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-61: Looks like it.

    f uck.

  • 68.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:23 pm

    Skop will be pleased.

  • 69.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:24 pm

    Lots of youngsters on the field now for the Stormers.

    Is Bekker the captain now?

  • 70.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:25 pm

    Joe brought his kicking boots.

  • 71.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:25 pm

    Don’t they know this bleaching can ruin your hair

  • 72.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:25 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-69: I think it’s Jean, i saw him taking charge of that last penalty

  • 73.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:26 pm

    If the rug ridders win this game their supporters will tell us all that this is their big season.Groundhog Day just like every season

  • 74.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:26 pm

    WPTID waar is jou maniere

    Groet jy nie vir Gerber nie

  • 75.Guns: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:27 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-57: Lovely thanks Dawn did some chest then made my way back for some vleis & Rugga! :D

  • 76.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:27 pm

    Steven Kisthoff 1 Random Tighthead 0

  • 77.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:27 pm

    Indeed Dawn.

    Not to mention the starfish bleaching that’s all the rage amongst the stormers backs.

  • 78.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:28 pm

    Kitshoff is a beast.

    Such a promising young prop.

  • 79.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:28 pm

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-73: Chill out and enjoy the game boet,

    Nothing’s over till it’s over

  • 80.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:29 pm

    Hallo oom greatest13gerber!

  • 81.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:29 pm

    @Guns(Guns)-75: Chest Rockwell?

  • 82.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:30 pm

    Is Corey on the field?

  • 83.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:30 pm

    I am very chilled.

  • 84.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:31 pm

    Guns has a chest like Schwarzenegger and arms like Vin.

  • 85.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:32 pm

    Eben Etzebeth, you WILL be a Bok.

  • 86.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:33 pm

    I am rather watching the SA hockey ladies vs India in a Olympic qualifier.

  • 87.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:33 pm

    Eben looking very strong

  • 88.cab: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:33 pm

    god gerd that etsebeth is having a stormers, this stormers pack is actually bladdy good. they got great locks.

  • 89.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:33 pm

    Dawn has not seen what Arnie looks like of late…

  • 90.Kleuter: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:33 pm

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-85: Yeah, as a Shark.

  • 91.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:34 pm

    @85 good.

    We need more cute guys.

  • 92.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:34 pm

    Afternoon Bloggers

    I am just settling down to watch the England v Wales pre match waffle!

  • 93.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:35 pm

    Score is RSA 2-India 0

  • 94.Guns: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:35 pm

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-81:
    Lol no not blady Chest Rockwell!! ;) Chest as in Pectoralis Major in the gym.

  • 95.Bod: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:35 pm

    I woner if Gunther is a Canes man…. they must have the kukkest kit ever imagined or designed

    By the way Fern…. enjoying some decent rugby???

  • 96.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:36 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-91:

    I’m all for a cute guy….!

  • 97.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:36 pm

    Canes look like they went on the razz last night

  • 98.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:36 pm

    Not a chance, Kleuter.

    Siya Kolisi scores on debut!

  • 99.Tartan: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:36 pm

    Reckon the canes are going to have to come up with some new lineout tactics…

  • 100.Guns: Reply to this comment
    25 Feb 2012, 17:36 pm

    Kolisi what an impact after replacing Burger.

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 » Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.