Stormers stem Red tide
20 Apr 2012
JON CARDINELLI watched the Stormers repel a late Reds rally to record an impressive 23-13 win in Brisbane.
The Stormers continue to deliver in the face of trying circumstances. They went into this game without Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers or Andries Bekker, and still they managed to play with the composure and resolve needed to topple the best Super Rugby has to offer.
Some will argue that the Stormers should have put this Reds side away by more, as the Queenslanders suffered some serious injuries early in the piece. Coach Ewen McKenzie would have been feeling a sick sense of deja vu as flyhalf Sam Lane and then centre Ben Tapuai left the field inside the first 10 minutes. At that point the Reds were already 10-0 down, and were battling for any sort of momentum.
But to dismiss the Reds’ effort under these circumstances would also detract from the Stormers’ achievement. The Reds fought hard to stay in the game, and as the clock wound down in the second half, the visitors were made to fight just as hard to keep the Reds at arm’s length.
At times the Stormers attacked with confidence and purpose, but it was another fantastic forward effort and titanic defensive display that earned them an important win. The Cape heavies made an impression at the collisions from the first minute, and maintained that intensity throughout. It was at the point of contact where they troubled the Reds, and in many instances created attacking opportunities.
It didn’t matter that the Stormers struggled for territory. The Reds pack battled to build momentum from the scrum and at the collisions, and the Stormers were quick to pounce on a turnover and unleash a backline that was in a mood to counter-attack.
It was a turnover that allowed the Stormers to win a lineout deep in the Reds’ half in the 10th minute. Juan de Jongh crashed it up before Peter Grant attacked the line. Grant then effected a telling offload in the tackle to Gio Aplon, and at 10-0 the visitors had raced to a good lead.
The Reds managed to settle as the half progressed, but showed a lack of discipline in that crucial period just before half-time. A penalty attempt by Ben Lucas dropped short and the Stormers ran it back at a disorganised Reds defence until they were deep in the opposition 22. Some terrific skills allowed the Stormers to keep the ball alive, and from a later phase Grant sniped again, reached for the tryline, and scored.
At 17-3 it appeared to be all over for the shell-shocked Reds. McKenzie had gone into this match with five forwards on his bench and the early injuries to Lane and Tapuai had forced him to field both of his backline reserves. The Reds were hanging on at half-time.
The Stormers showed their composure in the second stanza. It wasn’t a case of defending a 14-point lead, but more a case of understanding that the Reds were battling to trouble their forwards. And as the game continued, the Reds did indeed become more desperate.
The hosts had their chances to narrow the deficit, and turned down a few shots at goal in favour of a crack at the tryline. The decision proved flawed as Rob Simmons lost the ball over the line, and the Stormers defence managed to clear from a subsequent scrum. This was but one of many instances where a Reds venture into Stormers territory culminated in a frustrating turnover.
It was far from a perfect showing from the Stormers, and while their leaders pulled them through they missed Andries Bekker’s management skills at the lineout.
The visitors’ blew a few early opportunities through lineout turnovers in good attacking positions. They also gifted a try to James Horwill in the 63rd minute when replacement hooker Deon Fourie missed his jumper at a set piece five metres from his own tryline.
But the Reds never looked like closing the gap. Their desperation grew as the full-time hooter drew close, and they passed up a shot at goal in favour of another dip at the tryline.
Again it ended in a turnover. They managed to win another penalty which Mike Harris duly slotted, but then they blew any chance of a draw or indeed a losing bonus point when they conceded a three-pointer at the other end of the park.
The Stormers still lack the killer instinct to be considered a real title prospect, but what is clear is that there is a tremendous belief in their playing pattern.
Their defence was the difference on this occasion and takes them to two wins from three tour matches. With only the Force to play, they have a good chance of making that record three from four and stretching their lead at the top of the South African conference.
664 Comments
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21 Apr 2012, 00:22 am
God gerd how much mathematics does one need to load bricks into s wheelbarrow – uncle bob was a nasterbuilder and I ain’t ever seen him do algebra..
21 Apr 2012, 00:22 am
Well done Stormers.
Back on track. Fark a few seasons back, two wins on tour would have been enough.
Depth is the key this season, and come business end when everyone is fit, they can do it.
But……., one step at a time.
21 Apr 2012, 00:23 am
Gouge claims leave Bulls open to scorn
Spiro Zavos
April 21, 2012
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 07, Flip van der Merwe during the 2012 Super Rugby match between Vodacom Bulls and Crusaders from Loftus Versfeld on April 07, 2012 in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo by Lee Warren/Getty Images
‘Gougegate’ … Flip van der Merwe’s injury. Photo: Getty Images
The ”Gougegate” affair is becoming murky. There are too many unanswered questions relating to it that need to be resolved by SANZAR if public confidence in the new process is to be maintained.
Just before half-time in the Bulls-Crusaders match in Pretoria two weekends ago, the Bulls prop Chiliboy Ralepelle complained to the referee, Jaco Peyper, that he had been eye-gouged. It was a noticeably low-key complaint.
Just after half-time the Bulls second-rower Flip van der Merwe also complained he had been eye-gouged. Again, the complaint was low-key. The referee put the incidents on a white card notice to the citing commissioner.
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The Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder questioned whether the complaints were a gamesmanship ploy intended to unsettle his side. He insisted that if the complaints were not proven the Bulls should apologise. The Bulls said there would be no apology and pointed to the evidence of the damaged eye of van der Merwe.
The citing commissioner found there was nothing in the video footage that could substantiate the complaint.
SANZAR’s chief executive Greg Peters noted the citing commissioner was bemused that the Bulls “did not follow through with a complaint within the four-hour window after the game”. Peters insisted that if he thought the complaints were made on a “vexatious basis” he would “certainly be asking some questions”.
Well, here are some questions that haven’t been asked and should be answered.
Was the photo published in the South African media of van der Merwe’s torn and bleeding eye actually related to the eye-gouging incident? If he did get this nasty injury to his eye from a gouge, why did the Bulls coach Frans Ludeke say that it was “not a big thing”? And why wasn’t the damaged eye offered as evidence to the citing commissioner?
There was a great deal of discussion on rugby websites that van der Merwe left the field in the first half after a stray boot, from a teammate, made contact with his right eye. This kick damaged his eye in the way the photo revealed, it is claimed.
Why hasn’t SANZAR checked this allegation? If the injury did come earlier in the match, why didn’t the Bulls correct the media reports that the photo evidence proved their complaints? And is it appropriate to make eye-gouging complaints and not provide any evidence to the citing commissioner?
This affair, in my opinion, has raised serious issues about the willingness of the Bulls to do what it takes to win matches.
Jake White has told his young Brumbies side to prepare for a “baptism of fire” when they play the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld tonight. “Nothing untoward, nothing illegal, they just love their rugby, they want to win and will put pressure wherever they can,” he said.
My question is this: is it possible that this determination sometimes leads to unacceptable gamesmanship? If the Bulls franchise and their supporters complain that this is unfair, they need to understand that ”Gougegate” may have exposed the Bulls to this sort of accusation.
Now back to rugby matters. It looks likely that the winner of the Australian conference will be the only Australian side in the six-team finals series. The Brumbies on 24 points would only be sixth on the ladder if it were based solely on points. The Waratahs and Reds are on 21 points, ninth-equal on the table.
The Waratahs should defeat the Rebels in Sydney. They need this victory because, along with the Sharks, they are the only team in the top 10 that have lost four matches. The Reds play the second-ranked Stormers at Suncorp. In their favour is that fact that they have won 17 of the last 18 matches played there.
The Brumbies are facing a rampaging Bulls side. The Bulls have scored the most points, 234, of any side in the tournament. A win for the Brumbies sets them up to win the Australian conference. But this is easier said than done, as are many things in the world of rugby.
spiro@theroar.com.au
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/gouge-claims-leave-bulls-open-to-scorn-20120420-1xceu.html#ixzz1scbysq00
21 Apr 2012, 00:26 am
Stormerforlife
In your face priek. Ask anyone here and they will tell you Stormers is my second team. Always support them, just not when they play the Bulls.
You bounce in with your “in your face” attitude as if you had any minute part in the Stormer success.
And how can you throw your stones at other supporters if you are the cancer yourself
Support your team full out, but be humble if you win or lose.
Grow up.
21 Apr 2012, 00:29 am
do you KNOW what a hero is… ?? Schalk Burger is a hero.. John Smit is a hero… Victor Matfield is a so called hero.. so is FdP…
ashampoopaloo is NOT a hero.. ashampoopaloo is a fckng genius who got lucky enough to KNOW what life is about… unlike some dead end street chasing moronic algebra fundi’s who dunno what life is from the smellyfarts emanating from out their pseudo know nothing backsides…
21 Apr 2012, 00:29 am
IAAS
For sure.
Man, I’m telling you Aplon is one brilliant little player. Him and Hougaard together in the back three with either Habana or JP would be awesome.
21 Apr 2012, 00:30 am
Ahshatapoopoo is no genius oh pel – not even in his wildest lewensdroeme.
21 Apr 2012, 00:32 am
Back to life, back to reality.
21 Apr 2012, 00:33 am
PRICKS and haters like greatest13,kleutertjie,hg,blueboy have been shown up today for their little peanut brains they possess.
21 Apr 2012, 00:36 am
why don’t you just face some FACTS that you know fckall.. about life or about reality.. or about ANYTHING worth knowing … or you seriously believe you do KNOW something worthwhile..
I’m telling you straight out you don’t.. so if you wanna know whats WHAT.. then go FIND OUT from those who do.. because you.. you dumb fck ignoramus idiotic imbecilic dumbfck self deluded schmuck absolutely and definitely do NOT…
21 Apr 2012, 00:37 am
Stormerforlife
So you are a troll. All good, but this will be my last reply to you.
If coming onto a blog with the sole purpose of trying to get a reaction is your thing, then good luck with your life.
21 Apr 2012, 00:38 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-609: its true they been hoping and praying and baying for the red tide to do us IN.. the only ones that got done in at the end of the equation.. was them…
21 Apr 2012, 00:38 am
Speaka da English ? WTF u actually saying? Tell us what u actually know then, come on die groot held genius…
21 Apr 2012, 00:39 am
everybody comes onto a blog to get a reaction out of others.. otherwise wtf you come onto a blog for at all.. its ONLY to get a reaction from somebody else.. else there be no need to come onto a public blog At all..
21 Apr 2012, 00:42 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-612: Just love it.I apologise if i am a bit over the top on here ,but i am just sick and tired of those haters.
21 Apr 2012, 00:43 am
what I KNOW for absolute f’ng Certain is that you are a lost imbecile idiot that wanna know wtf you doing in creation and wtf your unresolved life is actually about.. but you so full of your useless and pathetic know nothing pseudo arse mathematical scientific nonsense.. that you dunno where the fck to begin to find out… so you come seeking answers from those who do have a clue but you yourself are actually too chicken to actually find out…
21 Apr 2012, 00:45 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-615: you entitled to be over the top.. they all are.. its the reaction station central of rugby lovers who all know more than the next one about who’s the greatest supporter or the worst haters around here
21 Apr 2012, 00:46 am
And What I know for absolute certain is that you are no genius, trust me on this one – u a closed minded brainwashed religious nut like the ones u tease about kersfees and watookal but as soon as it comes to hoenders and eiers then u not so fkn flippant ne ou baas.
21 Apr 2012, 00:48 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-611: I am suddenly a troll now.You are a hypocrite and a fine one at it.I haven’t seen a kleutertjie post yet where you have taken these stormers-hating mob to task.In all honesty i really care about the hate because it’s so much sweeter when the stormer boys prove your crowd wrong time and time again.
21 Apr 2012, 00:49 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-619: don’t really care
21 Apr 2012, 00:54 am
@cab(cab)-618: ag man you know fuckall.. those are the FACTS.. like you know fuckall about life you also know absolutely fuckall about me…. or about WHAT is WHAT in this universe.. dumb fck deluded ignoramus SCHMUCK.. deluxe…
You know Fck ALL.. that is ALL you need to know.. that what you KNOW is worth FUCKALL.. that is the FACT that you dumb fck moronic imbecilic little moronic imbecilic prat actually do NOT KNOW..!!
21 Apr 2012, 00:59 am
Ya ya .. Actually, but u still ain’t said what it I’d your genius self actually knows – other than how to bullshit like a gold-medalist.
Come now stop talking the ****, come down from your ethereal realm of fairies and unicorns, back down to terra firm, back to the Barrie and bricks u build the houses out of..
21 Apr 2012, 01:04 am
what I know is what you would like to know… you actually itching to know.. but fact of the matter is you not ready to know because bottom line you just too chicken to know… so that’s why you don’t know.. and why you ‘think’ you can use your materialist closed shop mathematical equations to try find out what your dumb fck mind is too chicken to find out .. so you come out with stupid equations and comparisons about religious nuts and unicorns and fairy’s and goblins.. but bottom line you actually do ‘know’ that what you don’t know.. I actually do know…
that is the difference between those who know… and those dumb fck pseudo scientific moronic closed mind materialist dunces who don’t…
21 Apr 2012, 01:10 am
I mean the rest is all make believe, u actually don’t know, u really don’t know – and do really or actually when all is said and done u are a genius if nothing at all but that’s what the watchatutu tribe us all about making genius’ of individuals who actually know nothing at all except how to bullshit. Bullshit baffles brains and u are so baffled that u think u r not. It’s fine ou doosie believe what u must to help u get thru it. Whatever u must, it’s a nice fairytake afterall.
Out
21 Apr 2012, 01:12 am
I’m going to bed.. another long session of dead end street head bashing re education for the dumb fck deluded pseudo scientific dunces of the moron materialist make belief world of non knowing ignorant delusional illusionists.
21 Apr 2012, 01:12 am
Ashampoola
I see you found your solemate. If everyone is entitled to their opinion, then why are you constantly involved in arguments relating to different opinions?
When it suits you yes. Fact is you have no respect for opinions that differ from yours.
21 Apr 2012, 01:18 am
I know what I know.. and you don’t… its as simple as that… when you know what I know then you be in a position to judge what is worth knowing and what is not…
right now you are in absolutely NO position to know ANYTHING relevant to what is worthwhile knowledge and what is not… because you have NO measuring device to acknowledge or know it by… when or IF you find out what is worth really KNOWING.. then you can be the great judge of reality from illusion.. right now you are FAR from knowing what is reality or what is illusion…
and the difference is I do..
21 Apr 2012, 01:21 am
who’s my ‘sole”mate Kleuter .. or you mean soulmate?
No I don’t have any soul mate.. either here or elsewhere
I challenge those who think they can judge what is true from false or foul from fair…
and most times they fall short of where integrity or truth or fairness begins or ends…
21 Apr 2012, 01:23 am
time out
nag
21 Apr 2012, 01:25 am
No, sole mate, as in only one(sole). But yes, could be soul mate too.
It truly is sad that someone who obviously is very intelligent feel the need to resort to this kind of behavior.
Good luck in finding a sole or soul mate.
21 Apr 2012, 01:36 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-619:
Don’t you ever care about guys like Kleuter.
Any Bulls supporter who tells you that he has been reading this site for “a long time” and is only blogging now on this site, you have to take with a bag full of salt.
Most probably, he was part of the GROOT TREK.
STTTOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
ON TOP AGAINNNNNN.
21 Apr 2012, 01:39 am
oh well my sole less ‘behavior’ falls short of the status quo contingency for normal and sane mature people on keo…
whoopee I aced it .. keep on trucking truck a billy till the truck runs out of gas…
21 Apr 2012, 01:43 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-630:
Please don’t tell me that you are family of ET!!!
Jy “praat” amper soos hy.
21 Apr 2012, 01:50 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-630:
“No, sole mate, as in only one(sole). But yes, could be soul mate too.”
Classic ET.
Sometimes you can’t, “hide” yourself. No matter how you wanna try.
21 Apr 2012, 01:58 am
@Kleuter(Kleuter)-604:
Stormerforlife
“In your face priek. Ask anyone here and they will tell you Stormers is my second team. Always support them, just not when they play the Bulls.
You bounce in with your “in your face” attitude as if you had any minute part in the Stormer success.
And how can you throw your stones at other supporters if you are the cancer yourself
Support your team full out, but be humble if you win or lose.
Grow up.”
Can’t ask anybody on here where your 2nd loyalty lies because according to you (last week), you are NEW on this site. REMEMBER.
Another classic ET comment.
21 Apr 2012, 05:11 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-627:
Yes yes Ubu… we hear this every week from you… you are the omnipresent, all-seeing, all-knowing bakkie-bouer… everyone else is simply ‘lost’ and haven’t a clue.
Ho hum you delusional, tunnel-visioned old fool!
21 Apr 2012, 05:24 am
well done to the stormers but what must be said watching the game and the closeness of the score one would think that is “is that all the stormer got?” I predicted a red hammering and we only got a 10 point beating.
Stormers this is a RED side for the most part of the season have had 10 first choice regulars injured…in this game 7 first choice regulars missing.
21 Apr 2012, 05:34 am
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-636: What is it with this “person” ?(male or female, man or beast)”Tunnel vision” flatter him . ” NO vision” would be a better description.I try not to read his garbage,but unfortunately he dominates the posts .Surely KEO should kick him of the site.
21 Apr 2012, 05:51 am
I wonder what made the perception that Euan McKenzie is a great coach?
Never mind he ruined my wager, his team was trying to take on the stronger Stormers’s forwards up front, fielding a hopeless caricature such as Samo instead of kicking behind the ever out of the position stormers backs
Saying that, Ganie was exposed again, over rated guy who commandeers the decision making from the flyhalf.
Stormers did well to expose the Reds despite intelligent assists from Steve Walsh
21 Apr 2012, 06:12 am
@optiplay(optiplay)-638:
He’s been banned and had more nics than most punters have had hot dinners…
@wallabie.(wallabie.)-637:
In all fairness that was a completely new mid-field for the Stormers, they lost their LO specialist last week as well as their captain JDV and have their first choice captain missing… so the Reds have no excuses…
Stormer’s went to sleep protecting their lead in the 2nd half… Reds left a potential 16 pts on the floor with 3 missed PK’s and a fumbled try (albeit that was a gift Horwill was handed…
21 Apr 2012, 06:35 am
What a ****** performance by the stormers
21 Apr 2012, 06:39 am
Basic left wing play stipulates when you are in open ground hugging touchline you hold ball under left arm leaving your right arm free to fend incoming cover defenders, or better still you make a late switch of the ball to left arm which may put off cover tackler……..should explain this to Rocket Rod Davies………..skill level in Reds backline has declined dramatically
21 Apr 2012, 06:53 am
this optiplay is a two face, who has condoned his better judgment to step off of his high horse once in a blue moon to lower his huge self esteem to converse with this very same tunnel visioned old fool,
two faces like these are what they are, two faced fools, same as this Bryce the little schmyce who can’t realize that the majority content of the discussion here in last couple pages has ALL been for the benefit of that other two face little runt his bosom pal cab the pseudo scientist who’s so g’dam intent to find out exactly THAT, which he dunno.
21 Apr 2012, 06:54 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-642:
Davies still inexperienced since his move to union… but yes he’s no Digby Ione, QC nor Anthony Faingaa yet…
@Chris Hani(Chris Hani)-641:
Yep winning, topping the table and becoming the first RSA side to win at Suncorp must really suck for the Stormer’s fans…
21 Apr 2012, 07:05 am
for those schmucks who STILL cannot see or acknowledge the value of players such as Peter Grant, Dewalt Duvenhage, Juan De Jongh and Gio Aplon.., hope you got a video machine so you can watch that game again.
Grant made the Aplon try along with assists from De Jongh, and scored another himself not to mention deadly accurate place kicking when it matters, and most these schmuckaroos still sing the virtues of Morne Steyn whereas Grant has out played him all season long…
And they only belatedly beginning to realise what I been telling them for 5 whole long years already, Play Peter Grant in the type game where he excels close to the advantage line and Boks would have WON all those tests they lOST under the auspicious talents of FdP and Morne Steyn while suffering under the immaculate guidance of bumchum brudda blue eyed Johnny boy Smit.. Who opted for Butcher when he SHOULD have opted for Grant.
21 Apr 2012, 07:13 am
Stormers
they will not make it till the end they just not good enough
21 Apr 2012, 07:19 am
neither Bulls nor Sharks would have handled Reds in Brisbane, as decimated Reds might be with injuries they were still a pumped up project of rejuvenated energy who came short against the better composed forces of Stormers on the day in their own fortress
So let the disgruntled Sharks and Bulls supporters moan and groan about how lucky Stormers have been, so far taking care of ALL the top gun opposition apart from a narrow miss to Crusaders in Chch the young Stormers outfit have handled and dispatched along the way including Hurricanes Sharks Bulls at home and Highlanders and Reds in their own back yard fortresses.
21 Apr 2012, 07:28 am
@Chris Hani(Chris Hani)-646: so what you tryna do…be a revolutionary who hasn’t got a clue.. ,that what you tryna do adopting a name of someone that got murdered by some white fascist dumb fcKs? Stupefied moronic dumb ignorant fckd up idiot.!
21 Apr 2012, 07:34 am
648.ashampoopaloo said
your name says it all poopaloo
21 Apr 2012, 07:46 am
@Chris Hani(Chris Hani)-649:
Whats your problem fool?
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