Super Rugby preview – Round 14
25 May 2012
JON CARDINELLI and RYAN VREDE analyse the key match-ups and pick the winners at the weekend.
Cardinelli edged ahead with a string of accurate calls last week and Vrede is banking on win-calls for the Cheetahs and Stormers to get him back on track this week. They agree there’ll be more misery for the Lions in Perth and are both backing the Reds to win the massive Aussie derby in Canberra.
KEO.CO.ZA SUCCESS RATE
VREDE: 58/86 (67%)
JC: 60/86 (70%)
CHIEFS vs BULLS, HAMILTON, FRI 09:35
JC’S CALL: The Bulls desperately need this victory to complete a good tour and stay in touch with the Stormers at the top of the SA conference. The Chiefs need a win and more importantly an improved performance following shoddy showings against the Lions and Reds. Who will prosper? The Chiefs are coming off a bye, and the Bulls are into their fourth game of a taxing tour Down Under. They’ve received a boost with news that their two ailing flankers have recovered, but I still reckon that back row lacks balance and overall the pack may struggle to live with the Chiefs at the collisions. Scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow will also cause problems for the Bulls around the fringes, and once the Chiefs gather momentum, that inconsistent Bulls defence could be further exposed by Sonny Bill and co. Chiefs by 5
VREDE’S CALL: I think Francois Hougaard’s inability to deliver consistently good tactical kicks is going to be central to a Bulls defeat. Hougaard is undoubtedly talented and a force when given space to operate around the fringes or in open field. But with tactical kicking being so critical to the success of the Bulls’ game plan I don’t think Hougaard is the man to deliver the quality they need from the back of the ruck or scrum. In a contest with two evenly matched sides like this one is, a single score from a broken field situation can be decisive to the outcome and I think this will be the case in Hamilton. Chiefs by 7
Chiefs – 15 Andrew Horrell, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Toby Smith.
Subs: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Arizona Taumalolo, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Maritino Nemani.
Bulls – Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (c), 7 CJ Stander, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Subs: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Juandré Kruger, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.
HURRICANES vs REBELS, WELLINGTON, SAT 07:35
JC’S CALL: The Hurricanes have thrown away handy leads in games against the Cheetahs and more recently against the Brumbies. It is therefore hard to back them with any certainty, even though they are playing against one of the weaker teams in the competition at home. The Rebels are yet to win overseas but will be buoyed by their recent showings. Their forwards are firing and the magic touches of Kurtley Beale and the prodigious boot of Mark Gerrard are potentially match-winning. I’m still expecting the Hurricanes to win, and I’m sure the reinstatement of Beauden Barrett will provide more stability. It should be one of those games where the lead changes hands many times, and this may please Canes coach Mark Hammett. If his side can’t shoot to a commanding lead, there is no danger of complacency. The Canes will want a more consistent effort, and I reckon they have enough across the board to deny the Rebels. Hurricanes by 7
VREDE’S CALL: The Rebels don’t have the personnel or tactical intelligence to force the Canes into the cavalier attacks that make them vulnerable to turnovers and counter-strikes against an unset defensive line. They’ve contested well at the gainline in recent weeks and built their success on this. But the best they can hope for is parity in this facet of play in Wellington, with playmaker Kurtley Beale’s ability to dictate affairs curtailed as a result. The Canes, with the impressive Beauden Barrett back, won’t have such trouble and provided they earn the right to play expansively, they should win comfortably. Hurricanes by 9
Hurricanes – 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May.
Subs: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Reg Goodes, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Tusi Pisi, 22 Jayden Hayward.
Rebels – 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Tim Davidson, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Subs: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Al Campbell, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Stirling Mortlock.
BLUES vs HIGHLANDERS, AUCKLAND, SAT 09:35
JC’S CALL: The Highlanders have a fantastic opportunity. They recorded an important win against the Bulls last week, and a five-pointer against this Blues side would prove a massive boost to their play-off ambitions. Blues coach Pat Lam has benched his misfiring stars, but the new faces will still be under pressure to win at Eden Park. The pack will struggle against a hard-nosed Highlanders unit that excels at the counter-ruck and lives for the battle at close quarters. On the other hand, the Highlanders can be devastating when they shift ruck turnovers wide, with men like Ben Smith proving hard to put down. Highlanders by 12
VREDE’S CALL: The Blues’ season has reached a new low with a number of players struggling or ruled out through injury and their All Blacks trio of Ali Williams, Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu dropped to the bench (the official line is they are being rested). The Highlanders are superior in all facets of play and their abrasive forwards will create the platform for the backline to rip the Blues to shreds. Highlanders by 12
Blues – 15 Hadleigh Parkes, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili/Luke Braid (c), 7 Luke Braid/Daniel Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Daniel Braid / Peter Saili / Danny Pryor, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Ma’a Nonu, 22 Lachie Munro.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kurt Baker, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nick Crosswell, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Hoani MacDonald, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Subs: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Scott Fuglistaller, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Mike Delany, 22 Kenny Lynn.
BRUMBIES vs REDS, CANBERRA, SAT 11:40
JC’S CALL: The words ‘cracking’ and ‘derby’ will never be used ahead of an all-Aussie contest. Nevertheless, this game should be closely contested with two well-coached teams jousting for a result that will hand them pole position in the Australian conference. The Brumbies welcome back scrumhalf Nic White, the fulcrum of their attack and kicking game. Both teams will fight for field position, but it is the Reds who may have the edge at the collisions. This should allow Liam Gill and Beau Robinson to enjoy more success at the breakdown, be it in the form of turnovers or slowing the opponent’s ball at ruck time. And when Will Genia and Quade Cooper receive the necessary platform, the Reds will dominate the kicking contest and eventually put points past the Brumbies. Reds by 6
VREDE’S CALL: I underestimated just how well coached this Brumbies team is when I called the Hurricanes to beat them last week, but Jake White has forged them into a highly efficient and formidable unit. I fear, however, that the loss of key strike runner Fotu Auelua will seriously undermine their ability to generate momentum at the gainline, while the absence of an accomplished tactical kicker will be terminal to their cause. The Reds will match them physically on defence and pin them in their half through tactical kicking, forcing errors and building their lead through penalties before their superiority shines through when the game opens up in the final quarter. Reds by 8
Brumbies – 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Nic White, 8 Ben Mowen, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Peter Kimlin, 5 Scott Fardy, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Leon Power, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Ian Prior, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Tevita Kuridrani.
Reds – TBC
FORCE vs LIONS, PERTH, SAT 13:40
JC’S CALL: Those who thought they had witnessed the worst of the worst when the Blues hosted the Lions are in for a nasty surprise. This will be the clanger of the competition. Will the Force’s hatred of their former mentor, John Mitchell, be enough to inspire a better performance? Will Mitchell’s inside information tell in how the Lions perform? The Mitchell factor may spice up what is a dour contest, but when that first whistle blows, the players will be left to their own devices, and let’s face it, accuracy and discipline hasn’t been their forte. The Lions have the better goal-kicker in Elton Jantjies, but the Force have the more settled set piece and their efforts at the collisions will nullify a player like Derick Minnie. Force by 9
VREDE’S CALL: Mitchell brings his travelling circus to familiar turf and they’ll suffer a familiar result. After a torturous tour the Lions players arrive in Perth in body alone, with their minds already cast to the trip home. I don’t believe they will rouse themselves to the level of performance needed to down the Force. Expect an error-laden match as both teams abandon structure in favour of an expansive brand. Whoever makes less handling errors and misses less tackles will set themselves up for the win. Cardinelli correctly highlights Jantjies’ goal-kicking as being superior to his counterpart’s, but it is the only area the Lions are ahead in. It will be painful to watch but thankfully we won’t be subjected to the garbage the Lions serve up on the road any longer. Wait, they’re useless no matter where they play. Anyway… Force by 7
Western Force – 15 Alfie Mafi, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Will Tupou, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Ben Seymour, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Salesi Manu, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Lachlan McCaffrey, 21 Josh Holmes, 22 David Harvey.
Lions – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Joshua Strauss (c), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 CJ van der Linde.
Subs: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Cobus Grobbelaar, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Ruan Combrinck, 22 James Kamana.
CHEETAHS vs WARATAHS, BLOEMFONTEIN, SAT 17:05
JC’S CALL: The Cheetahs have already begun that characteristic latter season descent into mediocrity, and they may come short against a limited Waratahs team as well. They haven’t been the same side since Johan Goosen was ruled out with injury with neither Sias Ebersohn or Riaan Smit capable of playing that crucial tactical kicking role. Piet van Zyl is another who prefers to run or pass rather than kick, and while the Waratahs defence will need to be on top form, they will hope the Cheetahs persist with expansive tactics. The Waratahs pack has the physicality to match that of the Cheetahs and in Berrick Barnes the visitors have a man capable of kicking them into good field positions. The Stormers escaped with a win against this Tahs side last week, the Cheetahs won’t be so lucky. Waratahs by 8
VREDE’S CALL: How sterile was the Tahs’ attack at Newlands last week? And while they won’t be confronted with a defence of the Stormers’ calibre I don’t believe they will make the attacking improvements they need to beat the Cheetahs. Expect Heinrich Brüssow to be more effective at the breakdown than he has been to date as the Tahs’ lack of attacking synergy sees runners isolate themselves. The Cheetahs will thrive in this loose environment and steal it with a couple of scores from broken field. Cheetahs by 5
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Rocco Jansen, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Andries Ferreira, 4 Izak van der Westhuizen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Francois Uys, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Philip Snyman.
Waratahs – 15 Bernard Foley, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson (c).
Subs: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Tom Carter.
SHARKS vs STORMERS, DURBAN, SAT 19:10
JC’S CALL: Both teams have enjoyed a good run of results, but the results aren’t a definitive indicator of form. The Sharks have improved with each match while the punch-drunk Stormers are operating with a makeshift pack. They will travel to Durban determined to win the collisions and provide their backs with good go-forward ball, but may fail against superior physical exponents like Bismarck du Plessis, The Beast and Willem Alberts. Apart from their depleted back row, overplayed forwards like Andries Bekker and Steven Kitshoff have started to look tired in recent matches, which is not a good sign ahead of such a brutal battle. John Plumtree has picked a five-two bench which should ensure the Sharks maintain their physical intensity, and has also selected a backline with plenty of kicking and attacking options. Freddie Michalak has turned in some controlled displays at No 10 while Pat Lambie will vary his play from fullback. The Stormers may be hoping to expose a Sharks defence that is still not up to standard, but the Cape side may struggle for forward ascendancy and the fact that their own attack is misfiring does not inspire confidence. Sharks by 5
VREDE’S CALL: It won’t be pretty but the Stormers won’t care. Defence will win this one for them against a Sharks side who don’t have the attacking arsenal to erode their granitic defence. Certainly in Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis and Marcell Coetzee the hosts have potentially destructive ball-carriers, but the Stormers have shown their capacity to keep a check on runners of their quality and will do so once more to deny the Sharks the attacking momentum they need to unleash their back division effectively. Frederic Michalak will struggle behind a bunch of heavies losing the collisions, while his side won’t have much joy at lineouts either. This leaves the scrums as their best launch but the Stormers will quell that threat easily. Their superior kicking game will pin the Sharks in their territory and force them into errors with their powerful phase play. Peter Grant’s boot will keep their score ticking over, with the odd trip across the whitewash helping to give the Stormers the win they so desperately need. Stormers by 7
Sharks – 15. Pat Lambie, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Freddie Michalak, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (c), 7. Willem Alberts, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19. Ryan Kankowski, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Odwa Ndungane, 22. Louis Ludik.
Stormers – 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Don Armand, 20 Nick Fenton-Wells, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Burton Francis.
184 Comments
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24 May 2012, 23:24 pm
in any game or sport there gotta be a winner and a loser.. even in war there are winners and losers.. not all winners can be winners forever.. and same with losers.. they sometimes also got to be winners occasionally..
so like empires that rise and crumble and fall what was once a loser will be later to win for the wheels still in spin, there ain’t knowing who that its naming., and the first one now will later be last, as the present now will later be past, and as the slow one now will later be fast
24 May 2012, 23:26 pm
Over and out >
24 May 2012, 23:32 pm
nice words, it is.
would we have been freeer if we had no choice? possibly unconciously.
anyway, philosophy on that is a very long story.
cheers vir eers.
24 May 2012, 23:39 pm
cheers
25 May 2012, 05:04 am
@fitzella(fritz ellenbogen)-151:
Sounds like hippie mumbo jumbo to me
Empires rise & fall on the strength of their armies, economies & the public opinion of the rulking elite. Sooner or later they reach apogee & young fullahs don’t want to bear the burden of expansion, armed forces are subcontracted to subjugated peoples & the weak core is swamped under the weight of their imperial edifice, while the hungry & dynamic periphery take larger & lerger chunks off the edges of the empiure.
Rugby & sport is nothing lie this. Teams get good, then they get old, then the players stay too long & their methods, fitness & hand eye coordination leave them.
Eventually they get sick of it & retire. New Players come in & the team rebuilds. Look at the 91 ABs, & 2011 Boks, classic examples.
Chiefs by 9
Highlanders by 7
Sharks by 2 (Biz!)
Brumbies by plenty
25 May 2012, 06:16 am
Since the “resurgence” of the Sharks could anyone please remind me if they’ve beaten any team of consequence (aside maybe the Highlanders where the Sharks didn’t actually dominate). Now we have to hear how they’re gonna dominate the collisions and run all over the Stormers. Tsk tsk tsk
25 May 2012, 06:22 am
150 @ shooter
That’s a grin. A smug grin, knowing full well how the Sharkie supporters are hyping this as the biggest game of their season, with good reason. Lose and its bye bye
25 May 2012, 06:24 am
@Manona(Manona)-155:
Seriously. Lay off the philosophy. It sounds really pedantic. About the real issues: The game will be decided in the loose forwards. After the yellow card count – the game will go to the fittest. Oorlewing. A true South African bloodfest.
25 May 2012, 06:32 am
I have a feeling that Fourie will come on early to sink the Bismarck.
25 May 2012, 06:44 am
Am I at the right place? I’m looking for the Sharks Tribute forum? I need to speak to the library monitor. I would like to report Tyrone the Hor-moan for calling me an inbred cn ut. I trust you will have all his blogging privileges removed accordingly. If not – well then you’re no better than those you are ‘out to kill’ old Steven Seagal……..PS: I hereby baptise you in the name of the gun, the whip and the cheesy ‘don’t mess with me’ lines: Popgun Stevie Seagal. You are as much a wannabe as what he is……ka-frikkin-pow wow wow.
25 May 2012, 07:08 am
@Manona(Manona)-155:
Umm…yeah….Peace…..Power to the People….Turn the muthas out…
Go the Mighty Blues.
Chiefs
Hurricanes
Brumbies
Force
Warratahs
Stormers
25 May 2012, 07:31 am
Oh my sack I am looking forward to the Sharks/Stormers game this weekend. To the Stormers – thanks for flying the SA flag so admirably while the Sharks went walkabout. It is however time for the natural order to be restored – so long, sayonara. By Sunday morning next week your season will lie in tatters…
25 May 2012, 07:33 am
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-161: Close, mate.
Chiefs
Hurricanes
Highlanders
Reds (sure hope I’m wrong!)
Lions (yes Lions!)
Waratahs
Sharks
25 May 2012, 07:53 am
162 @ James
Season in tatters? Even with the Stormers still laying above the Guppies even with a loss? Mathematics – you should apply it!
25 May 2012, 07:56 am
Lots of Guppy big talk here. Action speaks louder than words.
Good Luck Stormers. Do us proud… We will continue to do our talking on the field.
25 May 2012, 08:05 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-165: ‘Big’ talk is about the only thing of any measurable size these boys have got going for them…….If the Sharks implode with their own ‘dynamite’ doing the honours – well I’m not sure there will be a dry eye or a dry pair of manties in the house.
25 May 2012, 08:09 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-164: You quite right although I must be honest maths has always been one of my strengths. Let me see if I can still get it right. Sharks, 41 pts + 5 + 5 = 51 pts. Stormers 49 pts + 0 + 0 = 49 pts. Now 51>49 so unless the Stormers are playing in the Aussie conference you got some problems…
25 May 2012, 08:10 am
@JamesNkomo(JamesNkomo)-167: Very Good Work 100%
25 May 2012, 08:27 am
Cant wait for tomorrow’s Sharks vs Stormers clash. This is bound to be the SA clash of the season. Slightly worried about some of the changes the Sharks made, most notably Lambie at 15. If there is on player who can crack the brilliant Stormers defences its him, if he was playing at 10. He can still be a threat from the back as he can spark a quick counter, but to get full value out of Lambie he needs to play 10. The one injury forced change of Tim Whitehead is a concern as him and Jordaan has started combining well. Tim’s attacking ability and acute running lines could have trouble the Stormers defence, not so sure Bosman can do quite the same, he is solid on defence at least.
The Sharks also by far has the superior loose trio, but a battle between Kolisi and Coetzee will be a fascinating one. Kolisi definitely the one to watch. Stormers will be superior at line out time no question about it. With Etzebeth and Bekker the best lock pair in the country. The front row battle will be good too, but i think Beast and Bissi may just be one up on their opponents. Not convinced about Jannie’s form.
Going back to the back line. We have here the four fastest and best wingers in the country going head to head, even though Aplon is at 15 the weekend, better suited to the wing. A foot race between Mvovo and Habs, Aplon and JP, Mvovo and Aplon then JP and Habs will be great to see hopefully one or two intercepts will be on display.
All and all, this game will not be for the faint hearted. It will be like a final and i think most people see it that way. Cant wait. Going to be Epic.
25 May 2012, 08:30 am
@JamesNkomo(JamesNkomo)-168:
did you just pat yourself on the back?
oh my gawd…
25 May 2012, 08:49 am
@JamesNkomo(JamesNkomo)-168: it seems as though your psychic abilities exceed your mathematic abilities…can you tell us in advance when you will put your foot in your mouth again?
25 May 2012, 08:55 am
@houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-170: No point in waiting for someone else to do it.
@BuckT(BuckTrendy)-171: Hindsight is a perfect science so until I am proved wrong that’s my theory and I’m sticking with it. If I’m wrong and the Stormers continue on this unexplicable path then…. Go BULLS
25 May 2012, 09:00 am
Its been a fantastic build up to the sharks/stormers game.many theories and insight are thrown into the mix.i think this one is very 50/50.its gonna be close.the bounce off the ball or a dodgy refs call will determine this one.hopefully Stormers way.
25 May 2012, 09:01 am
167 @ James
Not only are you a poor mathematician – your psychic abilities suck as well!
25 May 2012, 09:08 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-174: well my maths was fine unless there have been changes to the rules of late and my phychic abilities can only really be proved wrong after tomorrow night…
25 May 2012, 09:16 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-164:
Read again, he said nextweek after the briesie loss to the Bulls.
My vok, Fourie sink Bismarck. If I was a teen I would roflmao………Fourie would not make the team at any of the other franchises.
Amazing how every year the stormer supporters latch onto some mediocre player to save their season.
Ryland
Brits
Vermeulen
Bekker
Grant
Aplon
Turbo reverse specialists harris and kidglove
The list goes on and on
25 May 2012, 09:20 am
@Xkreni-WP(Xkreni-WP)-176: Fourie is a speedboat that will leave the heavy Bismarck chugging along way behind.
25 May 2012, 09:30 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-177: not while he is stuck between B-rock (less) and Rooie
25 May 2012, 09:36 am
@Xkreni-WP(Xkreni-WP)-176:
Then you must be really amazed at the fact that the Stormers are top of the over-all log, and not for the first time either.
“Amazing how every year the stormer supporters latch onto some mediocre player to save their season.”
Yes, Stormers season needs to be saved. Absolutely. Genius comment.
25 May 2012, 09:38 am
@Stawm(Stawm)-179: see 167 above – bring on the saviour
25 May 2012, 09:43 am
176 @ XKreni-WP
By the same token in my crystal ball the Stormers will beat the Sharks and Bulls – top the SA conference and overall conference – get a home final and win the tournament. Geez that was easy!
25 May 2012, 09:48 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-181: you see being a soothsayer is easy
25 May 2012, 12:34 pm
Bin Laden and bonus points
Nick Koster on SuperSport
I saw Dr Spike Erasmus last Wednesday. He injected a gel into my knee to help my recovery process. I was told to take three days off so did not train at the HPC.
In my absence, a new nickname was bestowed upon me. Gio and Juan now call me Bin Laden, apparently because of my scarcity. It’s good to know they miss me.
On Friday evening Robbie Fleck, Siya Kolisi and I attended a fundraising evening at Bishops aimed at raising funds for rugby scholarships for kids with potential.
Our attacking play was scrutinised and were asked if we have planned moves and lines to run for six or seven phases. Siya gingerly replied: “No, I’m not that clever. I can only think for the first phase.”
It certainly doesn’t look like that when he plays, as he has had a superb season. He is the most amiable, loyal friend off the field too, and his sense of humour is an asset to the team.
The Vodacom Cup victory was wonderful to watch. It was a fitting end to an amazing campaign.
What stands out in that group is the quality of people involved. They are captained by an absolute warrior, who commands respect through how he treats others. Nick Fenton-Wells has been a true inspiration.
Coach John Dobson’s speciality is getting everyone involved in the set-up to love one another. He focuses more on team spirit than any other coach I know and, inevitably, that is why these guys play for each other. He also believes in giving players something more than just tactics or recipes to win, by educating them in a variety of different ways.
He might not look it, but Dobbo – with an undergrad and three post-grad degrees – is highly intelligent and he’s even had a novel published recently. It’s titled ‘The Year of the Gherkin’ and is probably the funniest book I’ve ever read, with laugh-out-loud humour. See, Dobbo, I told you I’d publicise your book!
John Dobson and Dawie Snyman have been involved in over 50 games since joining Western Province and have lost only four, winning the under-21 competition and Vodacom Cup along the way. Significantly, they have also added an immense amount of value to the lives of so many players.
Sidney Tobias – who has had such an impressive season as WP hooker – has a lot to do with the ‘vibe’ in the team. I think when he retires from rugby he could walk straight into a career as a comedian. He is known to his teammates as the Brown Clown, as a tribute to his sense of humour.
On Sunday, Bryan Habana organised a surprise birthday party lunch for his wife Janine at Crystal Towers in Canal Walk. The dress code was all white with a touch of pink.
Non-stop entertainment was supplied by Robbie Fleck’s four-year-old son Jack. He’s a bundle of energy and the effort in trying to get him to sit still must be similar to trying to housetrain a dinosaur. He rushed up and down the stairs, climbed on the tables, stuck his face into very possible photo, and even ran on a treadmill in the gym next door.
There has been quite a lot of criticism from the public and media with regard to the Stormers’ pattern of play, most specifically an assertion that we do not put sufficient emphasis on creative attacking play. I am often asked why we don’t run the ball more and aim at scoring four tries in every match.
Allow me to give my perspective.
I’d love to play as I did at school, attacking and counter-attacking even from deep inside our own half. I’ve realised, though, that to attempt to play this sort of pass-and-support fluent running rugby at professional level does not constitute the most effective approach.
Winning rugby at higher levels unfortunately becomes more about the team making fewer errors as opposed to the team creating more. It has almost got to the point where it is safer and preferable to defend rather than to attack.
Out of the eight playoff games at the World Cup, seven were won by the team with less possession, the exception being New Zealand against Argentina.
Even I – someone who has grown up and loved playing running rugby with attacking flair – have to admit that defence produces winning rugby. Defences have become increasingly tight, and emphasis in training these days is as much on defence as on attack.
Rugby at lower levels lacks the defensive intensity and commitment that makes attacking at Super level such a risk. It’s easier to attack at schoolboy and club level.
The higher the level, the more rugby becomes a game of chess, with every move carefully thought out with a plan in mind. Excitement should be drawn from doing something extraordinary against extremely tight defence, since a try at this level usually comes as a result of breaking a team down tactically.
I believe that instead of criticising the Stormers attack, one should first bear in mind our ability to close out tight games, our defensive organisation and commitment, and our resolve in breaking teams down and strangling them tactically.
The standard of performance expected of ourselves within the Stormers camp is so high that even though we’ve been winning, we constantly strive to improve our performance whereas people are constantly striving to find something wrong. We’re aiming at producing a perfect performance.
The bottom line is that we have won 10 out of 11 games, some in very difficult circumstances, and therefore have a lot to be positive about approaching the June break.
That being said, the next two weeks will be crucial to the campaign. The Sharks and Bulls present massive challenges.
Bin Laden will be watching with great interest and support.
26 May 2012, 00:46 am
@ufo(ufo)-183: so the stormers are too afraid to attack?
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