Stormers face scrap for survival

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.

Follow JC on Twitter
Follow SA Rugby magazine on Twitter


475 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 [9] 10 » Show All

  • 401.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:38 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-392: Two months of rugby success Katters. Isn’t that on every Lions fans bucket list?

  • 402.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:39 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-399:

    now if you could only contact Rent-a-fan to try and fill your stadium…

  • 403.mad eye: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:39 pm

    392 That really sums up the Stormers.

  • 404.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:40 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-399:

    Man you are an excuse for a supporter. I am so glad you are not a Stormer. Are you a Shark Supporter by any chance? Let’s wait and see what happens. Next week you may be missing in action IF you lose. I say if as no-one actually knows what will happen in the future. You win one game and come guns blazing. :lol:

  • 405.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:41 pm

    @nama1(nama1)-395: he think it makes him sound like a kenner, jy weet mos “gravitas” :D

  • 406.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:42 pm

    @stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-401: I remember the autumn of ’93…

  • 407.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:43 pm

    I think many of us have lost focus of what sport is about. It is about beating your opponent.

    That means winning either by one point or by a country mile.

    I suggest we focus on the winning aspect once again as if you lost to a team by one point or by ten you lost. Winning a bonus point doesn’t detract from the fact you lost.

  • 408.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:44 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-403:

    thing is… when katman says it, it’s funny…

    but i guess you’re at a disadvantage being comedically challenged and all….

  • 409.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:46 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-408:

    For sure! I cannot agree more. Katman and Goonts…

  • 410.mad eye: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:47 pm

    The Sharks fans will come when the time is right,we normally only start getting excited about now.
    There are no shortage of Shark fans ,relax .
    The fact that theSharks games have coincided with 4 or 5 huge school boy derbies each Saturday, pulling 5 to 6 thousand fans each has been a contributing factor to the limited attendance.
    Don’t worry about us the season ticket sales are the highest ever.
    We don’t do our celebrating in April like they do in the Cape.

  • 411.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:48 pm

    Where in soccer do you get a bonus point for scoring four or more goals? If you win by one or by ten you get the same points. No points for the losers now are there…

  • 412.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:48 pm

    Testosterone reaching new levels here I see!

  • 413.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:49 pm

    i’ve said this before, the minute the Stormers actually had a semi serious pack they started playing Bulls rugby, the same type of rugby they have been slating for years as “boring and predictable”

    and suddenly they are winning more than losing. ‘attacking rugby puts bums in seats but defence wins championships” playoffs are about percentages and accuracy and discipline.

    it kills me to say this but currently the stormers may have the edge on the bulls in a playoff. the only thing that may count against them is the inflexibility of their pattern.

  • 414.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:49 pm

    mad eye…

    i was taught there are six senses vital to human survival…

    sight
    touch
    taste
    smell
    hearing

    and the most important of all with which you can even forego one of the others…?

    is…?

    a sense of humour…!!

    if you’ve lost yours go down to your local crazy store and buy a replacement…

    even a generic no name brand will be better than nothing…

  • 415.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:50 pm

    @PissAnt(PissAnt)-412:

    Hey Morne! Getting to the important part of the competition now and the boys get agro… :lol:

  • 416.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:50 pm

    @PissAnt(PissAnt)-412:

    testoblerone…?

    :lol:

  • 417.David: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:51 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-410:
    I think I’d also prefer to watch schoolboy rugby rather than the Sharks. :lol:

  • 418.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:52 pm

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-409:

    yeah… but don’t tell them i said that… :wink:

  • 419.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:52 pm

    @David(David)-417:

    :lol:

  • 420.mad eye: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:52 pm

    UFO/KEO what is comedically challenged,
    I understand vertically challenged,thats you.

  • 421.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:52 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-418:

    Naa would never…

  • 422.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:53 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-410: Wow that really is scraping the barrel of excuses. P.S. we have school rugby in the Cape as well.

  • 423.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:56 pm

    @David(David)-417: Haha!!

  • 424.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 15:57 pm

    @roobarb2(roobarb2)-413:

    thing is bluebarb… us wp supporters are too dof to know the difference…

    we’ve been putting bums on seats at newlands anyway… in cold and rain and with a bare trophy cabinet…

    IF we win… wonder how that will change the ‘dynamic’… will we also follow the route of the ‘successful’ teams fans and stop watching…? :wink:

  • 425.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:00 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-420:

    hahaha…

    me keo…?

    okay… i take back the allegation of yo being comedically challenged…

    :lol:

    just because there are 3 letters in our nics doesn’t mean they’re all the same…

    look carefully… there are some subtle differences in the first two letters…

    :lol:

  • 426.mad eye: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:03 pm

    424UFO
    Yeah you do fill the stadium,especially when you play the New Zealand teams,only problem is that most of the supporters are there rooting for for the New Zealand teams you doos.
    Same guys who support the AllBlacks against the Boks.
    Led with your chin there my short friend,

  • 427.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:06 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-425: don’t worry, i’m supposedly ryan vrede to mal oor :lol:

  • 428.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:11 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-426:

    you got me there…

    busted…

    guilty…

    took it on the chin…

    :lol:

    but to be honest… you throw punches like girls throw feather boas…

    just remember though…

    i can BAN you if i don’t like you…!!

    :lol:

  • 429.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:12 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-427:

    hilarious…!!

    :lol:

  • 430.roobarb2: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:19 pm

    hehehe, UFO, thats not true, you have the prestigious Plascon Wall & All trophy!

  • 431.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:23 pm

    @roobarb2(roobarb2)-430:

    hehehe…

    how could i forget…??

    :lol:

  • 432.mad eye: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:24 pm

    UFO/KEO
    If you banned everyone who didn’t like you,
    it would leave you and Vrede/Transformation on the site.
    No you learned long ago that there was more money to be made out of the hordes of people who dislike you than the vague possibilty that any could be made out of someone liking you.

  • 433.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:26 pm

    mad eye
    these stormer supporters are getting hysterical already esp ufo
    cut her some slack

  • 434.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:27 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-432:

    very good point…

    that’ll learn me…

    :roll:

    i don’t suppose it would do any good to tell you you’re wrong…?

  • 435.Kea-Cat: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:27 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-426: Hey doos, you don’t have to type the comment number and nick when you reply to a comment, ask your baby sitter to help you out if you can’t figure it out.

  • 436.ufo: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:29 pm

    okay mad eye…

    have to go and have a meeting with heyneke meyer now… i advise him about player selection…

    not even joffers knows that…

    catch you later my tall friend…!!

    :lol:

  • 437.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:30 pm

    @435
    ipad does not support that funtion
    as you were

  • 438.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:36 pm

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-437: is mad eye on eyepad? :D

  • 439.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:39 pm

    lame transie

  • 440.cane: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:42 pm

    @mad eye(mad eye)-432:

    It would leave Keo, Vrede/Transformation……………………………………………. and the Kiwi Uruwera 5.

  • 441.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:47 pm

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-439: i wasn’t trying to be funny, you make the excuse that the function doesn’t work on ipad as if you know he is using one :roll:

  • 442.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:51 pm

    @cane(cane)-440:

    And I’m Joanne

  • 443.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:52 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-441:

    Small wanger with lice and Mad eye

    A match made in Heavens Game

  • 444.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:57 pm

    when the stormers lose a game it is downhill from there

  • 445.HongKongSlong: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 16:59 pm

    Stormers have a crucial 3 week period now, Tahs, Sharks and Bulls. As long as they win 1 of those and don’t suffer any more serious injuries, they will be fine. Then 3 weeks off for the England tour, where Heyneke Meyer will make the Bulls the Boks, then Schalk will come back and the back row will be fine. 3 easy gimme games to finish off and in the play offs where we will have all the momentum form and peak fitness.

  • 446.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 17:00 pm

    @HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-445:

    Sounds like a pipe dream.

  • 447.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 17:19 pm

    Hee hee these Bulls and Sharks supporters are hilarious. Bulls will lose their next two games and then don’t have guaranteed wins against the Sharks or Cheetahs and definitely not against the Stormers. I’d be very worried as a Bulls supporter. Sharks will end third without doubt. How’s that bwahahahahahahahahahaha

  • 448.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 17:23 pm

    445 @ HongKongSlong

    The Bulls have the worst run in and we have to here Tacticus and his amazing what if scenarios. I’d LOL if the Sharks overtake them

  • 449.HongKongSlong: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 17:25 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-446: Hahahaha! I have always been big on bold predictions. Its safe to say that the bold ones are the most entertaining ones!

  • 450.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    14 May 2012, 17:27 pm

    444 @ Fern

    It was downhill for the Sharks even before the S15 started LOL

    @ mad eye

    Your team is k@k – piss poor – you must learn to deal with it. If you can’t get help hahahahaha

Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 [9] 10 » Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.