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, 12:25 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-50:
9 Jul 2012, 12:26 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-46: It’s the Bluff trash syndrome this…
The lower you are in the pecking order, the more important it becomes to have someone beneath you……
9 Jul 2012, 12:26 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, 12:27 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-44: Boet, can you please find more of Tacitus k@k predictions, I love how daft he might be looking right now
9 Jul 2012, 12:29 pm
Heavens Game is still waiting for the bubble to go POP…
9 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
Xhosa kid how old are you??? My point being after losing to the Crusaders the Chiefs will take out on the Canes… Simple really but someone with your IQ wont understand will you… Now be a good boy and Go play hide and go !
9 Jul 2012, 12:34 pm
Go play hide and go fckyourself!! Is what i meant!
9 Jul 2012, 12:40 pm
A couple of big games this weekend.
Huge.
Funnily enough, of late I am battling to give a single ounce of f*&k about this years competition.
June internationals have extinguished whatever last bit of excitement I still carried for this extended form of Super Rugby.
Bring back the Super 12 please.
4 of the best franchises from each country.
That is all.
9 Jul 2012, 12:41 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-53: @THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-57: the jerkyl and mr hyde sharks are rightly the toast of the town once again amongs their fans, how long will it be before they fluff it like they did against the canes and lions?
the BIG question is, WHO ARE THE SHARKS, the team that matches the bulls and dominates them or the bunch of over-inflated egos that lack commitment & consistency who lost @ Ellis Park?
9 Jul 2012, 12:41 pm
The Stormers coaching staff and players need to be congratulated.
The were awesome this season.
For me watching huge tackles is more fun than easy tries.
I can watch Etzebeth and Kolosi drive people back in the tackle all day.
Loving it!!!
9 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
Stormers you better win the competition this year – no more lack of BMT PLEASE!!!
9 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
@seamus(seamus)-41:
I agree, the Stormers simply do not have the firepower to beat teams like the Chiefs, Saders or Reds in a semi final. The worst thing that can happen to them is to finish 1st on the log – leaving them to play an away semi at Newlands against the Saders.
If they finish second they get an easy Brumby team in the semi then a possible away final to the Chiefs, which they will lose or an away final at Newlands in front of 20000 CapeCrusaders which they will also lose.
So the best business decision is to finish second and pray that they do not run into the Saders.
9 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm
@ufo(ufo)-2:
Need a like button
9 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-55: Havent seen him here for a while… must be that 1 out of 5 games won stat that irks him…
As for the idiots on here that cannot even fathom how the log works:
No1 plays the lowest ranked team in the Semi.. so if Chiefs end 1 they will either face the Sharks should they beat the brumbies… or the Saders or the bulls should the Brumbies beat the sharks… this is taken should the log stay the way it is now..
So the Stormers will either face the Brumbies or the Bulls or Saders should the brumbies lose…
Congrats to my Stormers.. go all the way and rubb it in these Stormers haters faces!!!
Storm saam!!
9 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm
Transie as a Sharks supporter I ask the dame question… The talent in the team they should be doing better but they not… Beat teams they shoudnt and lose against teams they should beat comfortably… Its perplexing…
9 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-58: I fully agree with you.
9 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
Dame= same
9 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-53: what happens if the Reds get 5 points and the Sharks four and tie ?
9 Jul 2012, 12:45 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-3:
Well said, damb brings back memories of Varsity, all those damn arrogant Sharkies
Back then they used to beat us at Newlands regularly
I’m glad things have changed.
I’m far from a provincialist, i believe in SA i don;t care to much for the provinces, but praise is due when praise is due.
This Stormers team has heart and that deserves praise for both coaching staff and players
9 Jul 2012, 12:46 pm
Stew the Reds go through…
9 Jul 2012, 12:47 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-59:
What schools comprise the Border Bulldogs craven week side?
Is it Dale, Queens etc? Who else?
9 Jul 2012, 12:47 pm
@RL(RL)-62: You really think the stormers will just toll over and die for the Saders in a semi like last year? remeber the bulls lost two semis before going through to the final in 2007….
The stormers would have learnt from last year.. and this year it seems they know how to win.. even the close games
9 Jul 2012, 12:48 pm
@RL(RL)-62: What are the chances of us seeing a return of Schalk, Vermeulen and Carr?
I guess the ‘firepower’ you are talking about is our lack of a decent back line. Yet- JDJ and JDV with Aplon and Habs on the wings and JP at 15 is not a bad team at all.
9 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
It goes like this:
Log points, wins, points difference and I think then yellow cards or something?
9 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-56: Ironic, talking about IQ’s, you reckon a team losing a home game means they are pumped up for a win on their the next away game?. Then of course when logic fails, insult, Really stupid, mate really daft. Keep it up.
9 Jul 2012, 12:50 pm
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-73:
I STILL think we should rather have Juan de Jongh at 12 and Jean at 13.
Alas.
9 Jul 2012, 12:50 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-64:
9 Jul 2012, 12:51 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-70: shot
9 Jul 2012, 12:52 pm
My prediction for the logg:
1. Chiefs
2. Stormers
3. Brumbies
4. Saders
5. Bulls
6. Sharks
Brumbies and Saders to win prelim games making it:
Semi Chiefs versus Saders and Stormers vs Brumbies
This will give us a Stormers vs Saders final at newlands!!
9 Jul 2012, 12:52 pm
@RL(RL)-62: At least we have the options.
9 Jul 2012, 12:53 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-72: They dont need to roll over , we will scrum them into the ground until they die – forward domination just like we did to the Cheifs – coming to get ya boys
9 Jul 2012, 12:54 pm
Yeah sure… So I insulted you first? And yes losing a home game should pump you up for the next one… Its sport not tidlywinks!! You think when Lennox Lewis lost to Rahman he just said oh well… No he trained hard and took it out on him in the next fight and beat him silly!! But hey whatever floats your boat…
9 Jul 2012, 12:54 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-79:
I think the Bulls and Sharks are both fighting for position number 6 mate! I doubt any of them want to play the Saders away… Both should fancy their chances against the Brumbies though…
9 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-79: Could be a Saders v Sharks final in Christchurch – that would be excellent
9 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
@stew(stew)-81: The stormers scrumm will be the least of our problems! By then I reckon Schalk will be back, Etzebeth will be fit, and also Duane Vermeulen.. That is a different pack all together!!
The saders would have playeda tough game against the Bulls and the Chiefs in consecutive weeks.. and then will need to traqvel to Newlands for the final… i like those odds!!
9 Jul 2012, 12:57 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-71: Selborne, Grens, Sterling, Cambridge, Dale, DF Malan, Queens, Hangklip
9 Jul 2012, 12:58 pm
Could/should/would/… Let’s play one game at a time. We tend to get too excited at times. Firt win the League game then the semi and then let the talking begin…
The only person who talks should/would/could it Tac! Look what always happens to his predictions!!!
9 Jul 2012, 13:00 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-83: The problem is: Should the reds rack up 5 points they will have to win by 5 points themselves.. So it will be very hard for them to “engineer” the 6th spot by not scoring enough against their weak oppo this weekend.
@stew(stew)-84: The sharks will need to beat the Brumbies and the Chiefs in two consecutive weeks… with their inconsistancy this year you reckon they can? Away from home? Without the boot of Frans Steyn? I believe not
9 Jul 2012, 13:00 pm
@THE MAULER(THE MAULER)-82: I just think my 10yr old nephew would think like that not a grown up, the Lions must be really, really, really pumped up this year after taking so many loses. So you reckon they should lose more so that they can be more pumped up for their next game. baffling brains stuff.
9 Jul 2012, 13:01 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-86:
Thanks.
9 Jul 2012, 13:02 pm
@bangkok-bok(bangkok-bok)-73: they have a pretty potent backline and you would expect them to be a try scoring threat but they are not. No team that AC has ever coached could score tries, why is that? or is Duvenage the mediocre one dragging the backline down.
9 Jul 2012, 13:02 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-87: Yip.. you are right..
Sharks could still lose to their Hoodoo team cheetahs…
And the Canes might Upset the Chiefs… and the lions might go out in their last Superrugby game ever and win..
9 Jul 2012, 13:03 pm
No only baffling your Brains… If the Chiefs beat the Crusaders they would only have needed a win to top the log… Now that they lost and knowing the Stormers have a chance of overtaking them they need to win with a bonus to ensure top spot… Simple logic that even your 10 year old nephew will understand… Im sure you can ask him to explain… Ok sweet pea?
9 Jul 2012, 13:05 pm
@John Galt(John Galt)-71: dale, queens, selborne, hudson park, stirling, cambrigde, hangklip, tarkastad just on top of my head will have to check
9 Jul 2012, 13:06 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-88:
The Bulls could struggle against the Lions too! Their bubble has burst. I think HM has given each player a false belief that they are Bok team material. Most here predicted it though. Don’t get me wrong. The Bulls have a culture of winning but when you start losing so much the morale goes for a bang… I hope they make it but they have just been hyped up too much…
9 Jul 2012, 13:07 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-92:
I think the Bulls are going to struggle on Saturday. The Bulls forwards are weak according to Tac and I think the Lions will listen to him and go out and slay the Dragons
9 Jul 2012, 13:10 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-76:
So do I.
Certainly on offense.
I will keep banging this drum, and have articulated my rationale for this on many occasions.
9 Jul 2012, 13:11 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-95: Yes i found myself on Friday watching the game wondering how so many “boks” can be so Shi.t!? Spies is a passenger in the boks team.
Meisiekind should never again be a bok. Crusty has nothing as a 15 when everyone impedes in the air after a uppie is kicked. Basson meas as much as pantoffel when he gets no ball.
Hougaard sucks behind a retrieving pack like any other scrummie. Morne steyn is NOT the future of Bok rugby.. as for that Potgieter gifted a bok jersey.. shamefull!!
9 Jul 2012, 13:14 pm
@Mr Black(Mr Black)-48:
clear, considered points… good post…
that’s how rational supporters do it… no problem with punting your own team and no need to trash the others…
9 Jul 2012, 13:21 pm
@Provvas(Provvas)-79:
i like…!!
i like a lot…!!
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