Stormers face scrap for survival
14 May 2012
JON CARDINELLI says the injury situation can only worsen for the Stormers in the next three weeks and fans should brace themselves for at least one loss.
Coach Allister Coetzee’s worst fear was realised on Saturday when No 8 Nizaam Carr hobbled off the field. The log may not reflect the fact, but Carr’s knee injury has plunged the Cape franchise even deeper into crisis.
The Stormers will be without Schalk Burger and Nick Koster until the end of June, and may have to make do without Duane Vermeulen for the rest of their campaign. It was hoped that they could survive this four-game stretch without conceding further injuries, and that Jebb Sinclair would play a supporting role to the incumbent loose trio of Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt and Carr.
But with Carr joining a lengthy list of casualties, Sinclair will be thrust into the starting line-up. It means that Coetzee will also have to promote a loose forward from the Western Province Vodacom Cup team, as apparently there are no other experienced players available.
When asked whether he would seek further help from abroad, a despondent Coetzee replied, ‘Who? Do you have any names for me?’
It was a statement that explained the recruitment of Sinclair. The Stormers had failed to acquire the services of Springbok flank Francois Louw and presumably failed to acquire other high-profile players with unbreakable club commitments.
Outside of Sinclair, a Canadian who plays his club rugby for London Irish, there aren’t many players with a gap at this point of the season.
Saracens enjoy a good relationship with the Stormers, and it was suggested after their recent exit from the Premiership semi-finals that some of those players may be available. Saracens hooker Schalk Brits did after all play loose forward for the Cape side when they were similarly afflicted last year.
But Coetzee’s response didn’t inspire any confidence of a Saracens forward flying to the Stormers’ aid. It is likely that the Stormers will have to make do with what they have until Burger and Koster return at the end of next month.
It’s a massive blow, and you’d have to say they’d do well to stay in contention for a home semi-final. They may have lost only one game to date, but because they haven’t scored four-try bonus points their position in the top six is far from secure.
They need to keep winning to stay in contention for that crucial home play-off. It’s going to be a tough ask with a depleted pack, even more so considering the demands of looming forward-oriented contests against the Waratahs, Sharks and Bulls.
It will be nothing short of amazing if they manage to win their next three matches, two of which are away from home. It will be incredible if they can come through these inevitably brutal physical clashes without losing more players to injury.
They will also hope that the Highlanders and Chiefs do them a favour by beating the Bulls and thus preventing the Pretoria side from extending its lead at the top of the South African conference.
Two defeats for the Bulls will allow the Cape team to stay in touch despite their own (and here I say probable given their depleted stocks) losses in the next three rounds.
The Stormers have a slightly easier run-in to the play-offs than the Bulls with matches against the Lions (home), Rebels (home) and Cheetahs (away) scheduled for after the June Tests. The Bulls will host the Cheetahs and Lions, but face a difficult trip to Durban.
The Stormers will be boosted by the returns of Burger and Koster for those matches, but they won’t want to leave themselves with too much to do in terms of securing a home semi-final. They need to survive the next three matches without conceding further injuries, and they also need to pick up some crucial log points.
A win against an inconsistent Waratahs side this weekend is non-negotiable, as away victories in Durban and Pretoria for a depleted Stormers side seem far less likely.
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475 Comments
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14 May 2012, 12:29 pm
@ Brigadier maybe opening the champaigne bottle 19 times has made Fergie a little bored?? Congrats to City but funny how the guys blabbering about it are Liverpool(no championd league again) chelsea( have to win against Bayern to qualify) and Arsenal supporters…
14 May 2012, 12:31 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-234: Nah…we’ve won this thing a couple of times… Not envying the Stripes one wee bit…
14 May 2012, 12:32 pm
Just on an earlier post from some one. How will it be be possible for two SA sides to play in the final. Let me have a crack. let say the top six ends as follows.
1.Bulls
2.Chiefs
3.Stormers
4.Brumbies
5.Crusaders
6. Sharks
Bulls and Chiefs get their respective home semis automatically
So it will be Stormers vs Sharks in Capetown and Brumbies vs Crusaders in Canberra.
Because i am a Sharks fan, for arguments sake the Sharks win and the Crusaders win, due to final log places. It should then be.
Bulls vs Sharks in Pretoria and
Chiefs vs Crusaders in Waikato
No SA final there as the log currently stands.
Lets try one more situation.
Top 6.
1. Chiefs
2. Bulls
3. Stormers
4. Brumbies
5. Sharks
6. Crusaders.
Chiefs and Bull automaticly qualify for home semis.
Then you have Stormers vs Crusaders in CPT
Brumbies vs Sharks in Canberra
Stormers win and Sharks win
Now you have Chiefs vs Sharks in Waikato and
Bulls vs Stormers in Pretoria
If the sharks wins their semi, it does not really matter who wins in the other, we will see an All SA final. There you go.
But there are so many other ways this log can still change as its going to be pretty close in the end.
14 May 2012, 12:34 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-253:
you can’t have two teams from one country in the top three…
14 May 2012, 12:34 pm
to paraphrase the great Didier Drogba, Marius Jonker is a “fu(cking disgrace”!!
1 On-field Referee Referral to Citing Commissioner
Instances where a referee thinks an act of foul play has occurred but is not sure if a red card is warranted, or is unsure of the identity of a player
Where a player makes a complaint to a referee who did not see an incident
Can be in addition to a yellow card or penalty
Referred to the Citing Commissioner for review
14 May 2012, 12:36 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-250: Stormers cannot finish 3rd
14 May 2012, 12:37 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-255: lol didier!
14 May 2012, 12:37 pm
@Blue Label(Blue Label)-256: If the Bulls are 2nd or 1st, as per your scenarios
14 May 2012, 12:38 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-248:
Thanks SG! I just googled tickets now. Only R96.00 per person. I bought two tickets for Bulls Stormers and that was R150.00 per person. Might bring the ol girl down and watch the Stormers Sharks game…
14 May 2012, 12:39 pm
@Blue Label(Blue Label)-252:
I’m in Pta mate. Don’t I hear all about the Super Titles.
14 May 2012, 12:41 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-250:
Don’t think the Stormers can end up in 3rd position if the Bulls to the log. That would be the Brumbies as Aus conference winners.
14 May 2012, 12:41 pm
@ufo(ufo)-254: ok my bad, thought so, but was not sure. Yes that might make it kind of hard then to have an all sa final
14 May 2012, 12:41 pm
@CharlesM(CharlesM)-158: Hi Charles.
Yes, I was just speculating with Bill on the 8th man dillema and he suggested Etsebeth at 8.
I’m usually reluctant to break up a good partnership, as Eben and Andries are becoming, so I’d be reluctant to do that. Steenkamp is ok, but not great, I think i’d be looking for a youngster like Roux to come through in the next year,
My concerns are more at Hooker, as Deon is a terrible lineout thrower and costs us 1st phase possession whenever he plays. Ntubeni isn’t much better either. UFO mentioned that Tobias shows promise, but I’d be looking to bolster the hooker stocks personally.
14 May 2012, 12:44 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-248:
Unfortunately true. Also the food and drink at Kings Park is kaaak and expensive.
I will be at next weekend’s game though. Anyone wanting to bliksem me must come. Stormer in a teacup?
14 May 2012, 12:45 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-263:
I hear Paul O’ Connel’s team has a bye this weekend. Not too late to get him. He can fill in at lock for the Stormers after Etsebeth moves to 8.
14 May 2012, 12:47 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-264:
The Stormers game? I might fly up for the game. You say I should bring my own grub then.
14 May 2012, 12:48 pm
1. chiefs
2. Bulls
3. Brumbies
4. Stormers
5. Sharks
6. Crusaders
Chiefs and Bulls, home semis
Brumbies vs Saders
Stormers vs Sharks
Sharks and Saders win
semis:
Chiefs vs Saders
Bulls vs Sharks
no all SA final there.
one more time.
1. Chiefs
2. Bulls
3. Brumbies
4. Stormers
5. Crusaders
6. Sharks
Chiefs and Bulls home semis
Brumbies vs Sharks
Stormers vs Crusaders
Sharks and Stormers win
Chiefs vs Sharks
Bulls vs Stormers
Sharks win and whoever in the other.
you have an All SA final.
is that ok?
14 May 2012, 12:48 pm
to have an all SA final
if one SA team finishes top spot (1st)
then other SA team needs to finish 4th or 5th and win their quarter against 4th or 5th, and would also need 6th place to beat 3rd… therefore 4/5th team would play team 2nd on the log in semi while team top of log would then play 6…
if SA team finished 2nd on log
then SA other team would need to finish 6th and win their quarter against 3rd, thus facing team top of log in semi.
if SA team finished 3rd on the log, other SA team needs to be in 4th/5th and to win their quarter, while SA team 3rd would also need to win their quarter against 6th, then they would play the other two conf. winners in semis..
14 May 2012, 12:49 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-266:
Bring KFC and I’m your mate for life
14 May 2012, 12:49 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-263:
yeah SB… from watching on TV he looks okay… but have to say that watching him live on saturday he looked on the small side… like deon… think he will find it difficult in super rugby… sorry to say…
so would agree with you about looking for some cover at hooker…
14 May 2012, 12:50 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-264: Yes forgot about the food, I normally do not eat at Stadium have samies outside before we go in and have a braai on outerfields after game
Will also be going next week, soooo looking forward to it! Just hope my son’s school cooperates and its not a compulsory attendance, so after my son’s game we can leave for the Stadium 
14 May 2012, 12:51 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-265: We’re covered for locks (at the moment) but thanks for the advice.
14 May 2012, 12:51 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-267: SA wont have three teams in the finals, that will be NZ…
14 May 2012, 12:52 pm
@Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-271:
Yeah the after game festivities are second to none. Think I’ll bring my 8 and 2 year old daughters this time..will be their first rugby game.
14 May 2012, 12:52 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-273: why you say that
14 May 2012, 12:53 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-272:
Otherwise Sergio Parisse could fly in for a few games at no.8 and fly out again before the SANZAR officials notice.
14 May 2012, 12:54 pm
@ufo(ufo)-270: I was told that Deon may end up playing at 6 for the Stormers.
Worked for Kuun at the Bulls so who knows?
14 May 2012, 12:54 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-267:
yip… could work…
14 May 2012, 12:54 pm
I don’t pay for tickets,booze or food at Kings Park.
My people have elevated me.
14 May 2012, 12:55 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-279:
Haibo! Box seats?
14 May 2012, 12:55 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-275: because Bulls will lose their next two games, and Sharks will lose three (stormers again, Bulls and cheaters).. Bulls and Stormers to go through.. just an opinion… mind you, I am probably dead last on bru so take it from where it comes..
14 May 2012, 12:55 pm
@Tacitus(Deucalion)-276: Now him we’d take.
He can bring his lovely wife along too. I’m sure she’d love to settle in Cape Town.
14 May 2012, 12:56 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-277:
i don’t like that idea as a long-term plan… okay for filling in during a game etc…
but would rathe bring in fenton-wells or armand if that’s the case…
did you see that kitshoff is now injured too…?
14 May 2012, 12:57 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-281: Quite bold of you to say the Sharks will lose against Stormers, Bulls and Cheetahs. They will be tough games but, i do not think we will necessarily lose to all three.
14 May 2012, 12:59 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-264: What makes you think I want to bliksem you?
14 May 2012, 13:00 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-284 like I said, just an opinion…
14 May 2012, 13:02 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-284:
The Sharks are like the French national team…unpredictable. In some ways that could work in our favour but it doesn’t do much for my blood pressure.
14 May 2012, 13:02 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-273: Which three?
14 May 2012, 13:03 pm
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-204: @Sharksgirl(Sharksgirl)-206: Thanks you two.
14 May 2012, 13:04 pm
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-288: Saders/Chiefs/Canes…
Chiefs should top the conference, Saders will bounce back and Canes forwards are starting to compete with the other teams.. landers will fall away…
14 May 2012, 13:06 pm
@ufo(ufo)-283: Oh dear.
Pity, do you know the extent/prognosis?
14 May 2012, 13:06 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-290: comp is designed for the local derbies to decide the final makeup.. though Reds are starting to come right, so maybe two teams per conference..
14 May 2012, 13:09 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-291:
no i don’t…
but talking about rohan not steven…
just in the interview with R365 i posted on the previous page AC said he is injured…
14 May 2012, 13:10 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-291:
he left the field early and we were all amazed he had been subbed… but he literally just strolled off so didn’t look injured at all…
14 May 2012, 13:10 pm
@ufo(ufo)-293: Oh Ok Rohan.
Jeez you almost gave me a heart attack there.
Although AC must look very closely at his rotation soon.
14 May 2012, 13:13 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-287: Certainly …but i was longing for a performance like saterday, where they just completely smashed the opposition. I know it was the Force, but if you look at it, the Cheetahs only just managed a win against them and then the Stormers just managed a win against the Cheetahs. Taking that in to consideration the Force is not really all that bad, definitely not a Lions or Blues side. So i feel the Sharks actually did really well!
14 May 2012, 13:16 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-295:
i realized your chest may have tightened up unexpectedly on that…!!
yeah… we gotta look after this kid… most front rows mature late… not sure what long-term effects this will have on the young guy’s body…
14 May 2012, 13:20 pm
The Sharks have the personnel to compete against all remaining South African opposition. What potentially stands in their way is the belief that they can go the distance.
The Cheetahs are The Sharks bogey side but here’s hoping for a sublime performance and to ignore the jitters.
The Stormers will be a heck of a battle and I’m looking forward to seeing the forwards go to war.
The Bulls and The Sharks will be a thriller and I expect that the more composed team will just win. The Sharks ‘should’ outscore the Bulls but the penalty count will decide the match.
14 May 2012, 13:24 pm
@Sharkie10(Sharkie10)-296:
Agree
I thought the win was almost to comfortable for the quality off oposition.
Although two tries was from a turnover far out and would should never have been given.
Never looked like loosing, and importantly was that bonus point win. Our 4th of the season if i’m not mistaken.
14 May 2012, 13:28 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-299: agreed, couldnt understand the “advantage” call to the force from lawrence that led to Mvovos first try? even Pocock questioned it..
Sharks did play well, but force conversely didnt put out a good performance imo..
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