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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20 Apr 2012, 13:21 pm
Win is a win @ the end of the day. STOOOOOOOOORRRRRMMMMMEEEERRRRSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 Apr 2012, 13:25 pm
Fern what industry you in?
20 Apr 2012, 13:27 pm
No attacking bonus point… again…
Boring…
And Lucky
20 Apr 2012, 13:29 pm
Fern, the Reds are like the Lions at the moment with injuries…
You right. They should win… I didn’t think the Breezers had the ballas to win, even against an understrength Reds… And they didn’t.
The Reds just had less ballas…
20 Apr 2012, 13:32 pm
Job well done Stormers!
20 Apr 2012, 13:33 pm
This Stormers side should have thrashed the daylights out of this Reds team. It is instructive that they didn’t. And its a bit of a disgrace that with the Boks in their backline that they couldn’t even score a bonus point against a very weak and quite obviously demoralised Reds side…
Not very impressive at all.
20 Apr 2012, 13:34 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-153: Suck it up ******. Come talk to me tomorrow after the Chiefs rip your team to shreds!
20 Apr 2012, 13:39 pm
The only thing good about the Stormers backline at the moment is JdJ and Aplon… The former though will be cast off yet again to be understudy when Munster Superstar Captain gets back in the saddle….
A shame really.
Sharks are probably outscoring Stormers at 2 to 1 in the try count this season…
Bulls and Cheetahs much higher in the try count too…
I reckon the Lions are even scoring more tries than the Breezers…
Shows how fcked up these laws are that a side with no ability to score tries can get the benefit of doubt from refs and be in the top half of the table…
20 Apr 2012, 13:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-156: You just make yourself look like a fool with the drivel you produce on this thread.. firstly you had a whole song being put into numerous post of just how the reds will prevail and how the stormers bubble will burst again…
Now you try and hide behind the fact that the stormers did not score four tries..
Shame… you poor guppie
20 Apr 2012, 13:41 pm
Fishfood RFC PRO HG
Wont you sing your lil song again please?
20 Apr 2012, 13:41 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-156:
Another HG prediction down the drain.
How does it feel to be wrong so often?
Clutching to straws afterwards only makes it look worse.
20 Apr 2012, 13:42 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-158: Why dont you look at the wins vs losses column of the stormers and then again at the one for the guppies…
20 Apr 2012, 13:45 pm
well done on your win stormers.
of course theres a bonus point nuclear bomb coming tomorrow now the bulls know what they need to do.
20 Apr 2012, 13:46 pm
Which team is currently top of the log?
20 Apr 2012, 13:47 pm
very good win this, bounced back exceptionally well against defending champs in brisbance minus a few key players, stormers to go all the way this year.
20 Apr 2012, 13:47 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-158:
Sharks might be outscoring the Stormers but the Stormers have beaten them 4 x in a row since the start of last season (including the friendly).
And they are leading them by a mile on the log this season and ended above them last season.
So explain to me what is the benefit to the Sharks in outscoring them at 2 to 1 in the try count as you so proudly pointed out
20 Apr 2012, 13:47 pm
Just came to see the comments here but goodness me what a little ray of sunshine @Heavens Game is! What’s your mum feeding you son? ****?
20 Apr 2012, 13:48 pm
Well done to the Stormers.
Sorry to disappoint all the WP haters.
Get used to it.
We could have put the nail in the coffin, but we stuffed up in too many set pieces today.
The Reds played Walshie very well, they were lying on our side at the rucks all game long, but at the end of the day we had enough momentum after the first half to put them away.
20 Apr 2012, 13:50 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-163: The Bulls have it all to play for tomorrow.
20 Apr 2012, 13:50 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-158: Pop……………….pop………………..pop……….
Shame you wanna be tops? Win more games. Shame just look at how much games your team has won. Bwahahahahahahahahahaha.
20 Apr 2012, 13:53 pm
well done stormers. Now we just need the sharks to teach the chiefs a lesson.
I must say though I find it worrying how the stormers switch off after getting a lead.
20 Apr 2012, 13:55 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-166: @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-158:
Bro.
To date your team is NOT outscoring your opponents by a count of 184 – 206. (-32)
The Stormers on the other hand are outscoring our opponents by 193 – 141. (+52)
That’s a points difference of 84 more than the Sharks.
But you carry on with your “more tries” angle.
That’s obviously working out really well for you guys.
20 Apr 2012, 13:57 pm
Sharks are gonna be klapped at the fishbowl tomorrow, and they will end mid table this year. Maybe 9th if they’re lucky.
20 Apr 2012, 13:59 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-172: LOL LOL
Don’t bother. Logic and comprehension isn’t Heavens Gat’s strong suit, poor kid.
20 Apr 2012, 13:59 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-169:
yip, and i’ve got a feeling they gonna go bos.
expect another reds/cheetahs style running of the bulls.
20 Apr 2012, 14:04 pm
I think the bulls are going to kill the brumbies so thats a given, the sharks vs chiefs game on the other hand is going to be tough. Hope the proper sharks pitch up.
20 Apr 2012, 14:05 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-175: Obviously I would want them to win, but I must admit, I have a bit of a conundrum here…….
20 Apr 2012, 14:06 pm
well done stormers.
Not badly played either.
Now thats over with, i would like to point out something.
It seems weird that a few of you jump down HGs throat when hes having a dig at your team but when he acts the same way when the Boks vs the ABs, you all shut up and let him carry on.
Suck it up i say. As you were HG.
20 Apr 2012, 14:07 pm
Can someone please tell me when this stormers ‘bubble’ is going to burst? We’ve been hearing about this bubble bursting from mid April, and I’ve been waiting
HG the leader of the doom-prophets pack.
20 Apr 2012, 14:08 pm
Well done Stormers. Winning becomes a habit and as the adage goes if you continue winning the rest will fall in place. There are many negative comments made but jealousy is a nasty thing.
Good luck to both the Sharks and Bulls tomorrow. Do us proud, esepecially the Sharks who could assist both the Bulls and Stormers if they win…
20 Apr 2012, 14:11 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-166: Its called actually playing rugby…
You know… the whole point of the game… why Willy Webb actually picked up the ball in the first place… To run with it… Because he thought kicking was for sissies and that it was boring….
To score tries is the whole point of Rugby… If its not, then its not Rugby…
20 Apr 2012, 14:11 pm
@SteveWarren(SteveWarren)-176:
true, this is a game both the bulls and stomers will be hoping the sharks come to the party and find some bite.
besides, they’ve got a playoff semi worth chasing too.
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-177:
well expect your conundrum to burst come tomorrow 9:00pm.
20 Apr 2012, 14:12 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-178: How are you Hurricunt…. Lifes unfair hey, sheepshagger?
20 Apr 2012, 14:12 pm
Brisbane can be a very difficult place to get a good result.
Stormers should be happy with win. Well done.
20 Apr 2012, 14:12 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-158: Shame, cry me a f@@king river. One thing’s for sure, the guppies will once again finish below the Stormers.
20 Apr 2012, 14:13 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-178: look hg is a whining old cu nt. if i was in a pub and the boks were playing the ab’s and he was there, i’d rather go sit with the ab supporters. that goes for some other bok supporters on here as well.
20 Apr 2012, 14:13 pm
20 Apr 2012, 14:13 pm
One good thing about Kolisi, and he has many, is that he never loses his cool, he is not interested in personal battles, he only wants to play rugby. Very clinical guy and still 20 years old
20 Apr 2012, 14:14 pm
Reds ruin my weekend already
20 Apr 2012, 14:15 pm
How can anyone survive being so sad and miserable. Eish man…
20 Apr 2012, 14:16 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-172: I see you mention points…
Rather convenient…
How about some try stats… or does that look too farken hideously embarrassing…
Those points include all those little complimentary gimmes in the last 10 mins against the Bulls, Lions and Sharks… glad you can officially claim them but add them up and you have 18 points absolutely given by refs…
But no tries…
Its almost right to say that the Breezers are a ref dependent team… No more… no less…
20 Apr 2012, 14:16 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-186:
And I’d buy you a beer…………………………………………….maybe two.
8)
20 Apr 2012, 14:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-181: Lol and here I was thinking the point of rugby was to finish the game with more points than your opponents
20 Apr 2012, 14:16 pm
I didn’t watch the game, so can’t really comment. Just flippen glad we beat the champions…
20 Apr 2012, 14:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-181: While you get under people’s skin most of the time,the statement below hits the nail on the head. It should be the philosophy everyone who is involved in either coaching or playing aspires to.
“You know… the whole point of the game… why Willy Webb actually picked up the ball in the first place… To run with it… Because he thought kicking was for sissies and that it was boring….”
20 Apr 2012, 14:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-183:
Life is unfair my little Heavens Gayme.
You seem to be making alot of friends in here.
20 Apr 2012, 14:17 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-181:
That’s why a try was worth only one point which then allowed the team to try and kick a goal, which was the actual purpose of the original game.
20 Apr 2012, 14:17 pm
@Atreides(Atreides)-193:
20 Apr 2012, 14:17 pm
I think the day will come when the stormers will score the bonus point. But for now 7 wins out of 8 and 3 of those away from home makes for nice reading. The stormer s are yet to lose a game at home which really speaks a lot of they quality of this team.
You know stats is a tricky thing and sometimes people will try and read too much in it. The fact of the matter is that without three senior players and effectively leaders in this squad out with injuries, the stormers still managed to play the same rugby their structures require.
Looking at it this way: They have lost Schalk, JDV, Andries Bekker to injuries and also have lost players like JJ, Jaqcue, Sadie, etc to other unions. Why are they not sitting on the bottom of the log then like the lions? The lions only lost about 4 -5 players that could be considered any good?
More praise has to go to this stormer team that seems to be written off every week by the media and bloggers alike, but somehow seems to keep winning games.
20 Apr 2012, 14:18 pm
@the peanut gallery(peanut)-186:
Ok, sounds good.
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