Gritty Stormers to finish top
9 Jul 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in his weekly Business Day column, writes the Stormers have shown remarkable resilience to be in such a position of strength with one week of the regular season remaining.
The Stormers did not lack for ambition in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs. They did bloody well to win the game and the atrocious weather was always going to limit the potential of four-try bonus points. The Stormers were composed in their approach because they knew they had to win first before thinking of the additional bonus points.
They are one league point from finishing top of the table. League leaders the Chiefs, away from home in their final outing, have the tougher assignment this weekend.
The Stormers play the Rebels at Newlands and it is in this match that they will score the four tries needed to get the additional league point. I am taking it as a given that they won’t lose to Australia’s newest franchise, a squad that plays with great ticker but which, in only their second season of existence, still has too many journeymen to challenge the better teams on the road.
The Rebels have the greatest prospects of the Australian teams to become a dominant force. There is much interest in Melbourne, excellent financial backing and already the two biggest backline names in Australian rugby, James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale, were signed as soon as they came off contract last season. Most players are at the end of their contracts at season’s end, so expect more big-name players to be among the Rebels’ challenge in the next two years.
For now, they represent the most favourable prospect for the Stormers, whose achievement to sustain a winning momentum cannot be overstated.
Other teams that have suffered equally severe disruption have taken a few on-field beatings, dropped points regularly and used the lack of consistency in performance as mitigation for their failure to make the play-offs.
The Stormers, as a unit, have shown remarkable resilience to be in such a position of strength with one week of the regular season remaining.
I have been critical of their lack of attack, which is not to be confused with any lack of ambition to score tries. There is certainly effort every week, but the Stormers for the past three seasons have played to a predetermined style that is defensive-orientated.
It was the view of the management and senior players that defence would be more effective in their play-off hopes than all-out attack.
With a week to go, they are justified in their approach. I don’t particularly favour the mindset that lacks a balance in defence and attack, and there are many among the most loyal Stormers support base that will argue there is little joy in watching the Stormers.
Again, the Stormers will point to the league position, a home semi-final with the potential to still host a final, and ask for some perspective.
They would also be justified in thinking they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. I do recall the Kobus van der Merwe school of Stormers who favoured all-out attack and got pumped in every second home game and took 75 points against the Bulls at Loftus.
The side has not evolved their play on attack, but they have certainly consolidated their standing as the best defensive unit in the competition, regardless of whether they play home or away. The players have also shown dedication to the jersey, the franchise and the supporters in their absolute commitment to defend their line and maintain their discipline every week. They have done it with an inexperienced front row, without Andries Bekker for half the tournament, and without their frontline four loose-forwards including the incomparable Schalk Burger.
Those who have been highly critical of the Stormers this season — and I have been very vocal — have to also ask themselves: is the aim of the squad to make the semi-finals and create an opportunity to win the tournament, or to be a mid-table finish playing flamboyant rugby, but rugby that comes with risk and a style that may actually suit weaker opponents?
The Stormers took a business decision in their strategy and have achieved the necessary results. This needs to be recognised because it unfortunately is not a sport but a business in which home play-off matches and trophies determine the success of the season financially.
The romance that the Stormers have always played expansive rugby is also nonsense. They’ve won nothing for the last decade and the rugby was damn awful at times.
The most balanced South African side, in approach, has been the Bulls. But they, like the Crusaders, have also been among the most inconsistent.
I was surprised at the defeat against the Sharks, but it was more a case of the Sharks winning it than the Bulls losing. The Sharks were brilliant and the Lions, thank goodness, were brave and got the reward of a rare win.
164 Comments
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9 Jul 2012, 10:27 am
Only Dragons, no bull
9 Jul 2012, 10:34 am
So the cynics would say the Stormers would only win the Super Rugby Trophy once in a Blue Moon…?
So how significant is it that August 2012 just happens to be a Blue Moon month…??
So… according to the cynics… not only are all the refs on our side… not only is our second place log position the result of a great conspiracy… not only have we cheated and fouled our way to that position… not only have we lucked our way all through the season…
but now the planets too seem to be aligned in our favor…??
a wiser man than me once said…
“when the universe speaks…
listen…!!”
9 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
The Stormers have topped the SA conference, and with some daylight to spare it seems, in spite of their inability to collect any win bonus points.
Played 15 and won 13. A fantastic record, and one worthy of praise, considering that the next Sa team has only won 9 games. A possible 14 from 16.
Now the some of the Sharkies (because it’s pretty much them) here that have been putting the Stormers down the whole season in spite of their own woeful performances are still hoping and praying for our demise.
You guys ought to be ashamed of yourselves,
Congratulations I would have thought are in order.
You aren’t congratulating us or me, we didn’t play the matches, just like the Bulls supporters here didn’t win 3 titles.
It’s the team that deserves the plaudits, and you guys should be big enough to see that.
Or am I way overestimating you?
9 Jul 2012, 10:37 am
Yes, I agree that the Stormers have been good this year. Their defense is as good as we have ever seen from any team, and they seem to be a happy bunch playing for one another, but, the ball is not round, and any team can go down 14-0 in the first 10 to15 minutes with a unlucky bounce and a unfair call – if they manage to survive that, and come from behind to win it, I will be a believer.
9 Jul 2012, 10:38 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-3:
said on other thread…
excellent post…!!
9 Jul 2012, 10:40 am
kiss of death from keo
9 Jul 2012, 10:41 am
Here’s an interesting exercise as posted on Rugby 365.
Try to put the best team together from the SA players playing overseas.
No players currently playing for SA (like Pienaar) or any players playing for a different country (like Barret and Botha) are eligible.
This is the team they came up with: Can you do better?
15 Brent Russell (Clermont Auvergne – France):
The former Springbok pocket rocket has been in Europe for some time now, having initially made the move to Saracens – the other home to South African rugby players. He is still a regular in the Clermont matchday 23.
14 Tonderai Chavhanga (Newport Dragons – Wales):
The Zimbabwean-born speedster made the move to Wales in September 2011, after gaining four Springbok caps between 2005 and 2008. He played 18 matches for the Dragons in his debut season, scoring seven tries.
13 Jaque Fourie (Kobe Kobelco Steelers – Japan):
The 2007 World Cup winner made a big-money, headline-grabbing move to Japan after the 2011 World Cup – a move which reportedly would net him in excess of R20-million over two years. He has since made himself unavailable for international selection, turning down an overture from new Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
12 Doppies la Grange (Benetton Treviso – Italy):
Perhaps La Grange saw something coming when he announced his intentions to set sail for Italy back in May already. He has been a stalwart for the Lions since 2003, culminating in the leading role he played in their Currie Cup triumph last year.
11 Danie Poolman (Connacht – Ireland):
Poolman announced just a week ago that he would be throwing in his lot with Connacht… and Ireland in a bid for international honours in the lighter green of the Emerald Isle. He was playing ahead of JJ Engelbrecht – now a Springbok squad member – in the Stormers team in 2011.
10 Peter Grant (Kobe Kobelco Steelers – Japan):
Grant still divides his team between South Africa (Super Rugby) and Japan, but he does not play Currie Cup rugby for Western Province. Some feel that he is unlucky not be part of the Bok set-up at present, hence his decision to split his ‘hours’ between Japan and Cape Town.
9 Fourie du Preez (Suntory Goliath – Japan):
Du Preez was everyone’s favourite to be named as Springbok captain this year, until he turned down the opportunity in a face-to-face meeting with his long-time Bulls mentor, Meyer. He just edges out Neil de Kock (Saracens – England) and Michael Claassens (Bath – England) in our selection.
8 Joe van Niekerk (Toulon – France):
The Toulon skipper recently signed a new two-year deal, before leading his team to the 2011/12 Top 14 Final where they went down to Toulouse. He is a crucial part of the Toulon unit. Ernst Joubert (Saracens – England) and Jacques Cronje (Racing Metro – France) have also been in superb form for their respective clubs since moving to Europe, with the former able to qualify for England.
7 Francois Louw (Bath – England):
The undoubted heartbeat of the Bath team, Louw became an instant hit at The Rec after signing a deal after the 2011 Super Rugby season. You have to think that he still has a few Test caps left in him – having just turned 27.
6 CJ Stander (Munster – Ireland):
South African rugby could still regret losing the Bulls tyro, who turned 22 just a few short months ago. He looks set to turn out for Ireland at the 2015 World Cup. Pedrie Wannenburg was huge for Ulster this past season, but has just made the move to Castres in France, whilst Cheetahs powerhouse Ashley Johnson will be moving to London Wasps after the Super Rugby season.
5 Johann Muller (Ulster – Ireland):
The double World Cup representative skippered Ulster to the 2012 Heineken Cup Final and continues to be a key man for the Belfast-based team. At 32, he has at least two seasons of top-level rugby left in him, making him two years older than new Agen signing Ross Skeate.
4 Quinn Roux (Leinster – Ireland):
The strapping WP and Stormers second row seems intent on returning to Cape Town after a season abroad, but 12 months at Europe’s finest club could sway him to stay in Dublin a bit longer. Yes, he will wear our No.4 jersey ahead of seasoned Bok pros Bakkies Botha (Toulon – France) and Danie Rossouw (Suntory Goliath – Japan).
3 WP Nel (Edinburgh – Scotland):
The Cheetahs anchor will leave a huge gap in Bloemfontein when he links up with Edinburgh after the Super Rugby season. BJ Botha (Munster – Ireland) and Eugène van Staden (Biarritz – France) are not bad back-ups in an always-crucial position.
2 Schalk Brits (Saracens – England):
Brits just edges out John Smit (Saracens – England) and Richardt Strauss (Leinster – Ireland) here; given the impact that he has made at Saracens and the numerous awards he has picked up. Strauss, of course, looks set to qualify for Ireland on residency grounds.
1 Gurthro Steenkamp (Toulouse – France):
The former Bulls stalwart had an injury-hit first season with rugby’s Galácticos, but he still ended with a Top 14 winners’ medal – beating Van Niekerk’s Toulon team in the final. Former Lions powerhouse Heinke van der Merwe (Leinster) and ex-Free Stater Wian du Preez (Munster) continue to add grunt to Ireland’s best teams
9 Jul 2012, 10:42 am
@ufo(ufo)-5: Ja but I thought it was worth a repeat. It’s not like certain themes don’t get bashed to death on this site anyway….
9 Jul 2012, 10:47 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-7: Good post , good team
9 Jul 2012, 10:53 am
of course we don’t have the best players…
the sharks and bulls definitely have the best players… no one will argue the point…
but we do indeed have the best TEAM… these guys play for the team and for each other… whichever youngsters they have to call up… they still play for the jersey and the guy next to them…
what sets this stormers team apart from the other team in south africa… and quite possibly in NZ and Aus too… is the SPIRIT of the team…
there is a sheer dogged bloody-mindedness about this team… an indomitable resolute determination to win… an absolute refusal to lose… that everyone underestimates…
win or lose the title… the stormers are the TEAM of the year… they are a living embodiment of all the old cliches that a TEAM of ordinary players will triumph over a 15 stars playing for themselves on any given day…
they have been put down by all and sundry all season… other teams scrape through and it is acceptable to say an ugly win is still a win… no matter what the stormers do it will never be enough for many other south africans…
even IF we won the Super Trophy these bitter south africans would still tell us it means nothing and would find some reason, some excuse to demean and belittle the stormers… that’s just how these people roll…
sure we have punched above our weight… sure we are not the flashest team in the comp… sure we don’t have the super star ego players… sure many predict our downfall every weekend…
but all of those critics have forgotten one vital thing… rugby… winning… and defense… is all about attitude…
and fault the stormers for anything and everything you can dig up…
but no one can fault the SPIRIT, CAMARADERIE and GEES in Stormers Class of 2012…
the TEAM has made many of us long-standing (notice i don’t say long suffering) supporters very proud…
now it would be great if they can go all the way… but even if they don’t they won’t lose our support or interest…
Go Stormers…!!
9 Jul 2012, 10:55 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-8:
Ed Zachery…!!
9 Jul 2012, 10:55 am
@ufo(ufo)-10: Amen brutha!
9 Jul 2012, 10:57 am
@ufo(ufo)-10:
Air punch all the way, bruvva!
9 Jul 2012, 10:58 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-3: Can we wait untill the competition is over before handing out congratulations? Or do you believe the team has already reached their goals for the season and that topping the SA conference is good enough?
As you have said, its the team that plays the game, not the supporters, and looking at you its a good thing, cause once the cork shoots out the bottle, the champagne goes flat.
9 Jul 2012, 11:02 am
I dont think it will happen… Stormers had a chance against the Cheetahs and blew it… Chiefs are going to wack the Canes because Chiefs are now very angry after that loss to the Saders…
9 Jul 2012, 11:04 am
Hahah yes air pucnhes and high fives all round.
9 Jul 2012, 11:04 am
Love the Braveheart speak !
9 Jul 2012, 11:08 am
@coma(coma)-14: You’ve just proved my point.
I guess in your case I was expecting too much.
9 Jul 2012, 11:08 am
Hoping it will be a Stormers / Saders final …. will really test the Stormers BMT
9 Jul 2012, 11:10 am
I say we take one game at a time… Win against the Rebels first… Hopefully get a home semi-final and take it from there…
9 Jul 2012, 11:11 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-20:
Too true.
Lots of rugby still to come.
9 Jul 2012, 11:12 am
@stew(stew)-19:
have said several times before that i would also love a Stormers/Crusaders final in Cape Town…
9 Jul 2012, 11:12 am
@ufo(ufo)-22:
I would not
9 Jul 2012, 11:13 am
Well done to the Stormers have had a bloody good season all round, Captain Sam gives the team a cutlass salute. I hope you guys can win it for SA. Well done to the bulls fantastic season with a very young forward pack but still lots of work to be done. FH is not a scrumhalf, please guys you are killing this kids career!!!!.
To my Cheetahs, ai tog manne, well best season so far but could have been so much better!!!
and finally to RF…………………..”YOU ARE THE MAN” count em up seven wimbledon titles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 Jul 2012, 11:13 am
@ufo(ufo)-22:
That is one that scares me! Would prefer the Chiefs or even better the Brumbies or Bulls…
9 Jul 2012, 11:13 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-20:
absolutely…
said the same on the other thread this morning…
feet on the ground… one step at a time…
but nothing wrong with highlighting the GEES in our team is there…?
9 Jul 2012, 11:17 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-23:
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-25:
hehehe…
would be a great opportunity to lay many old ghosts to rest…
we did not do too badly against them in their backyard… would love to meet them in ours…
9 Jul 2012, 11:17 am
Where is Whitney this morning? Missing a few of my Blue buddies today…
9 Jul 2012, 11:18 am
@ufo(ufo)-27:
9 Jul 2012, 11:19 am
@Captain Sam Vimes(Captain Sam Vimes)-24:
I would say “Give that man a Bells…!”
But as it’s Capt’n Sam… will have to say…
“Give that man a Myer’s…!”
9 Jul 2012, 11:22 am
@ufo(ufo)-30: heheheheh, hey Bud the bells will do just fine, Captain Sam been a loyal supporter of Bells all of his life, Captain Sam was once called a savage and a hooligan by a girlfriends dad for not knowing/liking a single malt!!!!!
9 Jul 2012, 11:23 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-29:
remember you learn more from a defeat than a victory… and i believe our performances this year have proved we have indeed learnt from those defeats…
thing is… it will always be an excuse for the haters should we not meet the crusaders in the finals…
so win or lose i’d love that scenario…
if we win… awesome…
if the crusaders win… then we obviously didn’t deserve to win no matter who the opponents…
9 Jul 2012, 11:24 am
@ufo(ufo)-32:
Oh OK!
9 Jul 2012, 11:25 am
@Captain Sam Vimes(Captain Sam Vimes)-31:
definitely one of the most sporting gentlemanly pirates on keo…
a Bells it is..!!
9 Jul 2012, 11:26 am
I think HM is sitting with one helluva predicament now! How can he continue to select 14 Bulls players in his team? He might have to increase the Shark numbers now…
9 Jul 2012, 11:26 am
work calls…
great day to you all…!!
cheers
9 Jul 2012, 11:32 am
@ufo(ufo)-34: Cheers ufo and thanks much appreciated on Captain Sams day off!! Hope your team goes all the way mate………..if anyone looks at this objectively, will have acknowledge that the Stormers been fantastic this year and yeah its been all about the team and not the individual.
9 Jul 2012, 11:33 am
@ufo(ufo)-32: Would be a great game both mentally and physically … But to win away from home in a Super rugby is a mammoth task , the odds are so stacked against you … But it does happen !
9 Jul 2012, 11:35 am
@ufo(ufo)-32: oh jedi master – all you guys have learnt from that defeat was a) still cant beat the Saders b) still cant beat the saders
9 Jul 2012, 11:38 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-35:
Nah, he’ll just give the Bulls a list of Stormers players to sign.
9 Jul 2012, 11:38 am
The Stormers wont win it this year, regardless of whether they finish 1st or 2nd on the log. This is perfectly suited to the Saders who love coming to Cape Town and winning.
The Saders play the Bulls at home which they will win comfortably. If the Stormers finish 2nd, the Saders will tavel to Cape Town for the semi which they will win only to lose to the Chiefs in the final. (Reasons: travel, effort required to beat the Stormers in Cape Town, Chiefs have the easier semi vs the Sharks or the Brumbies)
If the Stormers finish first, the Saders will beat the Chiefs in the semi and then travel to Cape Town to win the final. (Reason: No quarter- and limited semi-final travel, they know how to beat the Chiefs and the Stormers away from home and the Stormers dont really believe that they can beat the Saders)
9 Jul 2012, 11:44 am
@seamus(seamus)-41:
Tac is that you? Predictions… very dangerous on this site… Hey Transie?
9 Jul 2012, 11:45 am
@David(David)-40:
Spot on!!!
9 Jul 2012, 11:52 am
@ufo(ufo)-27: WPTID is incensed by the thought of the CapeCrusaders who would come out in droves to spoil his afternoon
9 Jul 2012, 11:58 am
Whose
P oepol
To
Insert
D ick
And the rest of the stormers supporters are very emotional today.
This is gonna end in tears girls.
9 Jul 2012, 12:02 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-45:
Classy.
9 Jul 2012, 12:06 pm
One should also be reminded that the Stormers have scored some of the most spectacular tries in the competition. More than once movements started in their own 22 and even behind their own posts, developed into doublefigure phases and ended as brilliant scores. At times in weather not conducive at all for such play.
9 Jul 2012, 12:10 pm
Congrats on winning the conference trophy Stormers.
So what now for my Sharks?
We can end 5th or 6th, but ending 6th will suit us better so that we can play the Brumbies (who we’ve beaten this year) away.
Should we win that game what would be the best cenario for us furher in the competition to win it?
If the chiefs top the log we would play them next, and if the Stormers top the log we would play them in the semi.
The problem with playing the Stormers in a semi is that we would most likely then have to go back to NZ for the final. That traveling would make it impossible.
Rather play the Chiefs in the semi and come back to SA for final or stay in NZ for final against Crusaders.
So it would be either:
1) AUS / NZ / SA (Chiefs top log)
2) Aus / NZ / NZ (Chiefs top log)
3) Aus / SA / NZ (Stormers top log)
So from a Shark point of view we would like the Chiefs to top the log as it would be the easier way taking travel in consideration to win the competition.
Now please stormer supporters, this is not hate towards you, but common sense only.
9 Jul 2012, 12:14 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-48:
If we beat the Cheetahs, which is not a definite at the moment.
9 Jul 2012, 12:18 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-15: Wow!!, “Chiefs are angry after the loss”, how old are you?, 10yrs or 15yrs, the Bulls must be spitting mad after losing 4 out the last 5, little good did it do them
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