Opportunity knocks for Stormers
23 Apr 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that winning three of their four tour matches would mark a significant return for a Stormers side with aspirations of topping the table.
The Stormers outmuscled the Highlanders in Dunedin, pushed the Crusaders close in Christchurch and more recently beat the Reds by 10 points in Brisbane. Thus far they’ve earned nine out of a possible 15 points on tour, and with a match against a weak and embattled Force team looming, they would expect to add at least four more to that tally.
At the beginning of the season, coach Allister Coetzee would have taken three wins in Australasia. The Stormers were faced with a demanding draw, playing the Bulls before journeying to New Zealand to play the ever-combative Highlanders. They were then expected to play the 2011 finalists back-to-back. On paper, it looked to be a tough ask.
Somehow the Stormers managed to shrug off the jet lag and beat the Highlanders. They struggled against a resurgent Crusaders team but still fought to claim a losing bonus point. They toiled in Brisbane to not only overcome the incumbent champs, but also ensured the Reds finished the game with absolutely nothing in terms of log points.
It has been a special effort by the Stormers, even more so considering an injury to a senior player has become almost a weekly occurrence. They travelled to Australasia without Schalk Burger, confident they still had a good balance between youth and experience in the forwards. That assumption was tested in Christchurch when they lost Andries Bekker, but it was a predominantly young and inexperienced pack that did the business in Brisbane.
While their performances have been far from polished they have managed to get the results. They will not have Burger nor Jean de Villiers available for their final tour fixture in Perth, and Bekker could also miss out, but they’ve shown enough to suggest that another win, an important win, is within their power.
The Force have been inconsistent this season and the sudden exit of coach Richard Graham isn’t going to help their cause. And yet, the Stormers can’t go to Perth with a complacent attitude. The Force are not a team to be taken lightly, as the Stormers found out in their defeat to the Western Australians in 2010.
How important that loss turned out to be in the final standings. The Stormers still earned sufficient log points to secure a home semi-final, but were forced to travel north to play the table-topping Bulls in the decider. The Bulls played the smarter rugby on that occasion, but it cannot be denied that the overwhelming Bulls support inside the Orlando Stadium gave the Pretoria side an advantage.
Some argue that for the Stormers to win their first Super Rugby title they will need to finish the league in pole position. There are of course no guarantees, as the Cape side lost to the Crusaders in a home semi-final last year, but there’s little doubt that finishing at the top of the table will place them in a powerful position.
The next few weeks could be crucial in this regard. They need to beat the Force, a feat that will allow them to finish the tour with at least 13 points (plus an extra four for the ensuing bye). Thereafter, they will be well placed to ram the advantage home, as four of their seven remaining matches will be played at Newlands.
At the beginning of the year, Coetzee spoke about breaking the five-month tournament into different segments. When they come to the end of the overseas tour, Coetzee and company will start looking to the four-match segment that precedes the break for June internationals.
They would be expected to beat the Cheetahs and Waratahs in Cape Town. The away wins in Australasia will have given them confidence ahead of testing away matches in South Africa, although the fixtures in Durban and Pretoria will certainly be the toughest before the play-offs.
When Super Rugby resumes after the June Tests, the Stormers will play the Lions at home, the Cheetahs away, and the Rebels at home. This final segment is somewhat easier and the Stormers would be favourites in all three matches, but it would be foolish to operate on that assumption. Right now, they need to collect as many log points as possible and not leave themselves with too much to do in the final weeks.
I’m still not convinced that the Stormers have the game plan nor the killer instinct to win the trophy, but at present they are picking up important wins that could all add up to a top-place finish.
The hardest part of their campaign is drawing to a close but it’s imperative that they go to their second bye on the back of a win, and then maintain that winning momentum in the four matches that follow.
Their goal of topping the league, and thus positioning themselves to win the title, could depend on it.
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23 Apr 2012, 15:53 pm
Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – The time frame for the return to Super Rugby combat of the Stormers’ first-choice captain Schalk Burger remains unclear.
It is likely to only raise anxiety levels among fans of the joint SA conference leaders, awaiting a medical verdict on the leg injury sustained against the Reds on Friday by another key loose forward, Duane Vermeulen – there have been whispers that the tough No 8 could miss the remainder of the ordinary season programme.
Springbok flank dynamo Burger has been missing from the side since tearing medial ligaments in a knee during the opening-round clash with the Hurricanes at Newlands on February 25 and if he can return to the fray against the Cheetahs on May 12 it may be ideally timed considering the Vermeulen situation.
The Stormers have one more overseas obligation, against the Force on Saturday, and a priceless bye before they must front up for that derby.
They may not be absolutely like-for-like loosies, but Burger’s physicality and work-rate is every bit in the same league as that of the former Free Stater – and there is even a school of thought that he could do justice to the No 8 slot anyway, if enterprisingly tried out there.
But a well-timed “swap” scenario, even if not in exactly the same position, does not seem quite so simple.
That is because Burger’s own comeback date keeps being pushed out quietly, after the initial estimation in late February that he would only be idle for four to six weeks.
We are now coming up for nine weeks of inactivity for the blond combatant, and former Stormers and Bok captain Bob Skinstad, presumably still with his nose close to the ground on the affairs of the franchise, said on SuperSport’s Boots & All programme on Thursday that Burger “isn’t even running yet”.
Probed by Sport24 on whether, in fact, the skipper was indeed back in a healthily “mobile” mode, WP Rugby spokesperson Gavin Lewis would only say: “Allister (Coetzee) wants our doctors to assess the players on their return next week before issuing any updates on athletes rehabbing back here in South Africa.”
So it is possible the Stormers may be at least “stretched” at loose forward for a while longer than many hope.
Don Armand, who is a complete Super Rugby rookie, has been flown over to Perth from the in-form WP Vodacom Cup side to provide cover if required at nib Stadium on Saturday, although the Stormers will probably still be able to start with a reassuring enough loose trio comprising Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt and Nick Koster.
They also have the exciting Nizaam Carr in the party; some liken the 21-year-old to Rob Louw, the former WP and Springbok whippet, for speed and skill and if he gets greater spells of game-time off the bench or even in the starting XV he could give the Stormers an unexpected new dimension in attacking situations.
23 Apr 2012, 15:53 pm
@nama1(nama1)-99: That pack will take care of Force.. you gonna need some speed from flanks for Force with pocock at the cutting edge, Carr and Kolisi and Koster will do that.. Elstadt to provide the enforcing from 2nd row with Bekker concentrating on Sharpe and line outs.
Fourie at 2 is also better than Liebenberg and especially against Force where we not up against a massive pack like Crusaders or any the big bulk teams.
Fourie is also needed at breakdown.. he is probably our out and out best fetcher if not in WP perhaps in the entire country.
I stick with that selection.. I know I’ve said it a thousand times that Elstadt must play hybrid starting at 7 converting to 4 combo.. well this time its a horses for courses scenario where all our other hard liners are down, Etsebeth and Vermeulen aren’t around.. Etsebeth gotta be rested for this game entirely.. and Bekker is only at 50% efficiency… so Elstadt must provide the core of the grunt from No.4.
Liebenberg and Harris can come on later to provide the ballast when they get tired.. But Fourie should start vs Force and Etsebeth gotta rest up, and save Bekker for better days..
I got enough faith in Fourie, Carr, Kolisi, and Koster to do whats necessary in a fast pace game with 2 light packs going for the breakdown supremacy game..
Stormers will do it with that pack.. and not the other way around.
23 Apr 2012, 16:04 pm
The longer Schalk stays out the better chance Stormers have of going all the way.. its a given.. its been proved to me clear as daylight.. and when my gut says something is right I’m hardly ever proved wrong.. as all of JdV, and Vermeulen have shown so far that they are both far better captains.. plus so will Fourie or Duvenhage be able to take the captaincy role on with better results ultimately..
Best thing for Stormers is Burger gotta only play impact roles in future and not take center stage and control the state of the game the team plays from first receiver and center stage captain.. That way Stormers have every chance of going for the ultimate prize.. revert back to the last model as instituted by Rassie with Burger taking control and playing ball carry role from inside center.. and we go backwards at the same rate we have progressed we regress all the way back to the same ‘ol same ‘ol drawing board as previous years.
23 Apr 2012, 16:13 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-103: when burger is at first receiver, where do grant, de jongh, habana etc stand?
23 Apr 2012, 16:16 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-104:
Next to Brok, who in turn is outside Burger
23 Apr 2012, 16:21 pm
@willievz(willievz)-105:
23 Apr 2012, 16:33 pm
Who’s this Don Armand Character?
So Rohan Kitshof is more like the last resort? Some on this site were touting him as an absolute must for the team if I recall.
23 Apr 2012, 16:37 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-107:
must say stormersboy that i thought he would be… quite surprised that he hasn’t been…
but none of us reckoned on ‘We Love Him’ doing as well as he has been…!!
23 Apr 2012, 16:37 pm
Don’t know Don Armand…
23 Apr 2012, 16:38 pm
@ufo(ufo)-108:
So no… not unhappy the Rohan has met expectations…
though he is playing in VC team…
23 Apr 2012, 16:39 pm
No wonder they dont call him Brokback yet
23 Apr 2012, 16:41 pm
has NOT met expectations
23 Apr 2012, 16:43 pm
@ufo(ufo)-108: Ja true.
For me the return of Burger is all important now that it looks like Duanne will miss the season.
Carr must get some game time. I’d be tempted to start with him this weekend, play Elstadt at 4. Have Etsebeth on the bench if he’s fit.
23 Apr 2012, 16:51 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-113:
yeah… i would start with carr too… and he really does need some game time to get into the groove.. has only played 58 minutes all season…
i’m worried about even though… posted somewhere else that in 60 minutes he only made 2 tackles… so must be in significant pain and discomfort… he normally averages round 12 tackles a game… and made over 20 in one…
i would send him home right now for better treatment…
elstadt is turning into a star too… making more frequent tackle miles than anyone else on the team… every 4.9 minutes… which is a helluva work rate… we may miss that when he plays lock… but little choice right now i guess…
really feel for duane… he has a knack of injuring himself in the lead up to the international season…
23 Apr 2012, 16:52 pm
worried about eben though… stoopid autospell
23 Apr 2012, 17:02 pm
Duane is massive loss,match changer imo,strompiesgs onna have to dig hard for a win in Perth.
23 Apr 2012, 17:11 pm
@ufo(ufo)-114: Yes he didn’t seem himself and as you say, not a good idea to play him if he’s not fit. 2 weeks off will do him a lot of good.
I hope Andries will be fit, then I’d be inclined to rest Eben and play Steenkamp at 4.
23 Apr 2012, 17:14 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-117:
Yep,but a lot of grunt lost without Duane and Eben,which has been the secret to go forward ball over the past few months.
23 Apr 2012, 17:20 pm
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-118: 100%
23 Apr 2012, 17:51 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-117:
looks like andries will be ‘fit’.. but will he be FIT…?
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-118:
absolutely…
23 Apr 2012, 17:59 pm
@ufo(ufo)-120:
AC can’t afford not to play Andries,lineout a shambles without him,and Sharpe will cause havoc.
23 Apr 2012, 18:08 pm
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-121:
you quite right bud…
23 Apr 2012, 18:09 pm
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-121:
Also the coach will probably want him to captain the side.He always seems to be carrying a niggle of some sort,can’t remember him ever being fully fit,the bigger they are the harder they fall eh.
23 Apr 2012, 18:12 pm
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-123:
good point too…
23 Apr 2012, 18:13 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-103: ******, you must be sick and tired of repeating yourself.
23 Apr 2012, 19:44 pm
Allister Coetzee (File)
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Cape Town – Stormers coach Allister Coetzee says their recent injury-jinx is something they have to be able to handle if they are to succeed in 2012′s Super Rugby tournament.
The men from Cape Town have had a solid start to the season, with seven out of eight victories helping them to top spot in the South African conference and second spot on the overall log.
But injuries to key players have started to take its toll as they prepare for their last tour match against the Force in Perth on Saturday.
On Monday they announced that wing/fullback Gio Aplon and eighthman Duane Vermeulen are on their way back to Cape Town.
Aplon has a hamstring strain and should be available for their next game against the Cheetahs at Newlands on 12 May.
Vermeulen sustained a knee ligament injury late in the game against the Reds and will see a knee specialist in Cape Town for further assessment.
Vermeulen captained the team in their 23-13 victory over the Reds and now becomes the third captain they have lost this season after Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers were earlier casualties.
But Coetzee is adamant they must be able to overcome these setbacks.
“Injuries are part of the game. As a squad you have to be able to handle them. It’s something we have spoken about often.
“This week it’s the Force and regardless who we select, we will need to again be at our best to take the points. It is a big game for us as a win will mean a very successful tour.
“There is a lot of motivation in this group to achieve that and we will be going all out,” said Coetzee.
Western Province flank flank Don Armand and centre Berton Klaasen flew to Perth on Monday to join up with the touring group.
Lock Eben Etzebeth (shoulder) is being managed and a call on his availability will only be made at the last training session this week.
Lock Andries Bekker is however expected to make a return to the team this week against the Force.
23 Apr 2012, 22:45 pm
@skyewalker(skyewalker)-126:
Don Armand
That is positive with injuries – Open the Door for a No Name to take his shot at the Big Time. But am still waiting for S15 Jeremy LIn??
24 Apr 2012, 00:54 am
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-127:
That would be Eben Etzebeth. End of story.
24 Apr 2012, 01:51 am
@KeurboomPark(KeurboomPark)-128:
agree. Playing like a Young Adri Geldenhuys ( a SA Palyer of the Year in his debut season) but without Adri’s “gentleman” aggression
24 Apr 2012, 02:20 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-67: Whether intentional or not .It was dangerous play and should at least have been a yellow.You can not storm head first, into a tackle and then claim innocence.Too many previous examples to choose from to prove the point.
As for the rucking(Which IMO should come back .That would have shorten Dr McCaw’s career considerably)I might be wrong, but I thought that is an automatic yellow
24 Apr 2012, 02:25 am
@ufo(ufo)-94: Agree.
24 Apr 2012, 02:25 am
@willievz(willievz)-105: LOL+++
24 Apr 2012, 04:58 am
Bekks to play some coach rugby this weekend instead of parking off.
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