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, 14:45 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-214: it started yesterdayalready “why do the sharks come back from an oversees tour and get a kiwi ref, when have the stormers had a kiwi ref in any of their home games”
i had to remind the blogger that the stormers had glen jackson blowing their game against the blues at newlands
20 Apr 2012, 14:46 pm
@ufo(ufo)-248:
And well done UFO.
Your team deserved the win no matter what way anyone looks at it.
Scoreboard says it all.
20 Apr 2012, 14:46 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-236:
hey bud… if the crusaders played carter out of position and brought in the extra-tall timber just to play the stormers…
i reckon we’re getting there… it’s easy for the the fans to go off all the time… but the players know different…
20 Apr 2012, 14:47 pm
@stew(stew)-241: forward passes lucky tries… sure you will know about those.. but they still count as tries!!
20 Apr 2012, 14:47 pm
Great win Stormers. I just caught the second half. Great play Stormers. Lots of width from the backline and once again great dominance by the forwards.
20 Apr 2012, 14:47 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-240:
no…no lies…just straight and direct truth.. no more no less…
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-242:
baie goed dankie, bill.
20 Apr 2012, 14:48 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-251:
Thanks Transie! I hope he puts that in his socks and smokes it…
20 Apr 2012, 14:48 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-252:
thank you…
but still aware of a long season and many tough matches ahead… mainly bulls and sharks in their kitchens…
and cheetahs too…
20 Apr 2012, 14:48 pm
I think Pigsy (HG) may well have left the building.
You Brokebacks can be so cruel.
20 Apr 2012, 14:49 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-256:
Het jy toe die Game gekyk? Ek moes werk. Nie so ryk soos julle nie…
20 Apr 2012, 14:49 pm
Well strompies probably left 2 tries and a bonus point on the board,but a valient effort nonetheless and a win is a win ou pel
20 Apr 2012, 14:50 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-243: Dont worry the Saders are on the run to the play offs now
20 Apr 2012, 14:51 pm
@cane(cane)-259:
You have to be cruel to be kind mate.
20 Apr 2012, 14:51 pm
@cane(cane)-259:
He’s a loser,but knows when he has lost,quite used to that hopelessness by now imo.
20 Apr 2012, 14:51 pm
@pompies2(pompies2)-247: the problem with our argument is that the stormers lose a game and the bulls dont… Cause this is axactly the theory behind winning rather than getting bonus points!1 The stormers are the likely team not to lose more games but the bulls are… they still need to travel… should the bulls lose a game or two, their bonus points will count for sweet nothing!! And this is the importance of putting valuing a win over a bonus point..
20 Apr 2012, 14:52 pm
Would hate to be married to HG – he does not stop when he is on a roll. I support the Stormers but I am supporting the Sharks tomorrow and the Sharks may even come back – they have games at home in hand – HG can you stop talking rubbish – you are like a little boy who lost his toy and you forget about concentrating on rugby. Happens when you are trying to argue rather than discuss a topic. I support all SA teams – maybe not the Bulls I mean how can one support a team where the supporters wear horns and the team dresses in PINK, OK well I like Spies and Hougard is world class except for the tatoes – and JJ was my favourite player at the Stormers – so yes maybe I should look beyond the HORNS and the PINK.
20 Apr 2012, 14:52 pm
@kaksioek(kaksioek)-249: I make it 14 – 10 for the Stormers and 20 – 19 for the Sharks.
20 Apr 2012, 14:53 pm
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-256:
see messed up
20 Apr 2012, 14:54 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-251:
As far as refs are concerned the Stormers’ worst nightmare has never been kiwi refs.
It’s been Craig Joubert by a mile.
20 Apr 2012, 14:55 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-178: You lot are more than capable of defending ourselves; you surely don’t need Saffies to defend Kiwis now.
20 Apr 2012, 14:56 pm
Come on the Sharks win tomorrow – daddy needs a new pair of shoes.
20 Apr 2012, 14:56 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-218: Well then you must be happy with all the entertainment that your team has created for everyone.
I for one do enjoy watching the Sharks games,
Against the Canes you let them score 6 tries in one match. Your team could only muster 2.
Good entertainment all round.
20 Apr 2012, 14:56 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-267: 14 – 9 and 21 – 19 boys.. come on it is not that difficult to get on the net…
Ok gotta go.. cheers go Sharks and go Brumbies!!!
20 Apr 2012, 14:57 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-269:
20 Apr 2012, 14:57 pm
Pigsey, Pigsey,
Wherefore art thou Pigsey.
20 Apr 2012, 14:58 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-272: eina
20 Apr 2012, 14:58 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-270:
Yep, we can cope thank you.
But just pointing out the silence when HG goes on one of his PMS episodes against the ABs.
Hes not a problem at all, very harmless.
20 Apr 2012, 14:58 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-269:
Agreed,by a mile.
20 Apr 2012, 14:59 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-267: Found another site that says Stormers have scored 12 and allowed 8, while the Sharks have scored 21 and allowed 19. This seems to be at the end of last weekend. So I can only assume the stats I listed earlier were in the process of being updated when I checked them and they had only listed included one of the two tries the Stormers scored today.
Doesn’t explain you docking the Sharks a try though
20 Apr 2012, 14:59 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-272:
Howzit mate! 9 points from three games not a bad haul. I see most say that taking 9 points on the road is really good. I’m hoping for at least 13 though.
20 Apr 2012, 15:00 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-277:
Is HG a he? No man carries on like a girl and gets away with it…
20 Apr 2012, 15:00 pm
When the going get tough,
Heavens Game hides in the rough.
20 Apr 2012, 15:00 pm
HG has no friends.
I am his only friend.
20 Apr 2012, 15:01 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-283:
His? You mean Her…
20 Apr 2012, 15:03 pm
@Michael(Iron Mike)-270:
We need all the help we can get.
This is not tiddlywinks,
8)
20 Apr 2012, 15:03 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-281:
Oh sorry, heshe/shemale, thats the long version.
@Dawn(Dawn)-283:
Your everyones friend Dawny
20 Apr 2012, 15:03 pm
You horrid people
He is the only Shark here bashing the Stormers.
Dusky fled on page 1 with his sharktail between his legs
20 Apr 2012, 15:04 pm
@cane(cane)-275:
It is skulking in embarassment.it went down the toilet in superbru with it’s picks against the stormers and it’s very pienk face(much like the bull’s jerseys)has now gone into hiding.
20 Apr 2012, 15:04 pm
@cane(cane)-282:
Yep, we have seen it so many times before.
Like his friend Helen.
20 Apr 2012, 15:05 pm
Good day to my Cane buddies from the Hutts.
20 Apr 2012, 15:05 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-283:
You must choose Dawnie,
HG or the rest of humanity.
20 Apr 2012, 15:06 pm
I just read an interview with Sias and it sounds like he’s ready to move without his boet. His contract is till end of 2013 but he does not sound happy about the game time he’s getting.
Stormers you might want to speak to the man.
20 Apr 2012, 15:07 pm
people who live in bubbles shouldn’t go around poking sticks…
20 Apr 2012, 15:07 pm
@cane(cane)-282: as blackpanther would say “he comes and goes”
i miss that blackpanty character!
20 Apr 2012, 15:07 pm
@cane(cane)-291:
20 Apr 2012, 15:08 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-287:
20 Apr 2012, 15:08 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-281:
A he/she …confusion abounds around HG…it loves to refer to poopchutes,bending over,and soap in the shower.
20 Apr 2012, 15:08 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-294:
Doesn’t take much to change a nic
I’m sure he’s around
20 Apr 2012, 15:09 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-290:
Greetings to you also Dawn.
20 Apr 2012, 15:09 pm
@JA-JA(JA-JA)-292:
yes please…!
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