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
Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 14 » Show All
20 Apr 2012, 12:25 pm
@Dusky(Dusky)-96: the others are brain dead…
20 Apr 2012, 12:25 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-100: 13-17
20 Apr 2012, 12:25 pm
Habana & JdJ are getting through a lot of work, but there’s no combination/understanding between them.
20 Apr 2012, 12:25 pm
I only said he was my favourite from your incontinent not the greatest of all time. Sheeeeks
20 Apr 2012, 12:26 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-101: Nah – they just sick of me
20 Apr 2012, 12:27 pm
Reds = Flash in the pan one hit wonders!! Hahhaaaaa……..Loftus broke their back again. They will have nightmares about Loftus for long after this season has finished.
20 Apr 2012, 12:29 pm
We must press ahead for 5 points now.
Habana was in a slight state of shock with the fact that he’s getting passes in the first 20, earlier this season playing next to JDV he looked like he was loafing for a stukkie bal.
20 Apr 2012, 12:29 pm
@viewer(viewer)-89: no, we don’t.
i know from listening to all the commentators and players… mccaw will say “it’s always tough going to africa and the africans play a physical type of game”
if you watch reunion, they also say “africans”, maybe if zimbabwe was also part of sanzar then they’d have to differentiate.
20 Apr 2012, 12:30 pm
4 try bonus gettable?
20 Apr 2012, 12:31 pm
I seem to recall a certain kenner saying the blueprint to winning rugby is to kick it in your own half an possibly in you opponents half as well. He must be completely baffled that a team can score from their own tryline, never mind their own half. He must feel pretty d00slik now.
A positive mindset and belief, can do wonders.
20 Apr 2012, 12:32 pm
@AiDoc(AiDoc)-104: your favourite black rugby player from the African continent or your favourite African rugga player? Cause I think Ngwenja from America is quite an exciting young black winger….but he’s not from Africa.
20 Apr 2012, 12:34 pm
@pompies2(pompies2)-110: well, the stormers haven’t won YET, they’re leading
#jusayin
20 Apr 2012, 12:35 pm
Trans see post 104 “incontinent”
Do you trust him
20 Apr 2012, 12:36 pm
With all thi stalke of who the Bok flyhalf should, i have a feeling Peter Grants time may have arrived!! Obviously Morne Steyn is first choice but i think Peter Grant should definiteyl be the backup.
20 Apr 2012, 12:36 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-111: ngwenya is not from africa, he is zimbabwean born
20 Apr 2012, 12:36 pm
HG is nou so stil soos ‘n kerk muis.
20 Apr 2012, 12:38 pm
@race of tan(race of tan)-114: oh please not again. has he miraculously grown a strong leg or he’s been working with eben’s extra heavy dumbels on his leg?
20 Apr 2012, 12:38 pm
@race of tan(race of tan)-114:
Grant’s having a good game, but he’ll have to play like this over the entire season to even have a sniff.
He’s played as well as this before in previous years only to drop from the radar when it came near selection time.
20 Apr 2012, 12:39 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-112: My point is not the result. My point is that the result enabler shouldn’t be limited. Foundational principles will stay the same, but when you think you’ve bottled the formula, be assures that there are 3 or 4 others which remain unbottled.
20 Apr 2012, 12:39 pm
@wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-116: ‘n dood kerk muis
20 Apr 2012, 12:40 pm
Entire stormers backline offside Walsh must have had a sharpener at half time.
20 Apr 2012, 12:41 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-100:
17-8… try…
20 Apr 2012, 12:41 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-9: A “Cultured” Aussie???
20 Apr 2012, 12:41 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-122:
I take that back it won’t be awarded!
20 Apr 2012, 12:43 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-115: yeah, Zim is certainly nothing like the rest of Africa…..
20 Apr 2012, 12:43 pm
Reds throwing this game away… despite more key injuries this game they’ve missed 3 PK’s and fumbled a try…
20 Apr 2012, 12:46 pm
@logie_Jumpbuck(logie_Jumpbuck)-125:
Yep, Zim and Pretoria
20 Apr 2012, 12:46 pm
It’s not bad without commentary
20 Apr 2012, 12:48 pm
@bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-126: 3pk’s?
p0e$ klaps?
20 Apr 2012, 12:53 pm
Whats happening… Brokebacks take their own ref to the game in Oz?
20 Apr 2012, 12:57 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-130:
You seriously need some new material.
20 Apr 2012, 12:58 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-129:
Haha… penalty kicks… mofo…
20 Apr 2012, 12:59 pm
wow they scored
20 Apr 2012, 12:59 pm
Deon Fourie feeling a bit sorry for the home-team there…
20 Apr 2012, 13:00 pm
Should have been a penalty to Stormers. Jumper interfered with in the air….
20 Apr 2012, 13:02 pm
come on Stormers don’t drift into defence mode now!
you know there’s something called a BONUS point!
20 Apr 2012, 13:03 pm
Etzebeth’s had a great game, again.
20 Apr 2012, 13:03 pm
Oh dear… Whats it going to be, Brokeback Breezing Buggers….
20 Apr 2012, 13:04 pm
Push for the bonus point.!
20 Apr 2012, 13:04 pm
Have the the Boys from Brokeback Central got the ballas?
20 Apr 2012, 13:05 pm
Very impressed with Kolisi, composed and intelligent
20 Apr 2012, 13:05 pm
Sydney Pride
or
Cape Town Pride…
Which Rainbow Team gonna win here?
20 Apr 2012, 13:07 pm
So the ref is sponsored by DHL too
20 Apr 2012, 13:08 pm
It’s a pleasure to see a RSA side protecting their own ball with offensive rucking (unlike the Boks in the RWC)…
20 Apr 2012, 13:09 pm
What’s the state of play? Game disjointed, slowing down, or lots of subs or what?
20 Apr 2012, 13:10 pm
Stormers useless on attack!
20 Apr 2012, 13:12 pm
@viewer(viewer)-145:
Disjointed.
20 Apr 2012, 13:15 pm
I’m a bit concerned tht we still can’t kill teams off. Granted Reds improved 2nd half, but we should scored 4 by the 60th minute
20 Apr 2012, 13:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-143:
If the stormers lose against the reds they are utter rubbish.
20 Apr 2012, 13:21 pm
Saying the Reds threw this game away is a bit harsh when they had some many injured in the game (and of course the Stormer’s defence was rock solid as per norm)… but those 3 missed PK’s and fumble over the line cost them a much needed win.
Well done Stormers… first RSA side to win at Suncorp…
Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 14 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.