Log finish vindicates Stormers’ style
16 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that the ends of a first-place finish have justified the Stormers’ pragmatic and uninspiring means.
The post-match press conference following Saturday’s win over the Rebels was pretty pointless. What was there to say except congratulations? How could any criticism be aimed at coach Allister Coetzee when he was sitting beside the South African conference trophy? How could there be any suggestion that a more adventurous playing style would have been more prudent when the Stormers have done enough to finish the league stage in first place?
‘This thing wasn’t easy to win,’ said Coetzee as he placed a proud hand on the trophy. It’s the second year in succession that the Stormers have claimed the conference title, and the third where they’ve finished the Super Rugby competition in the top two. They may not have won the title that matters yet, but their consistency surely confirms that they are doing something right.
In 2010 they showed that they had the game plan to win a championship, but not the mentality. 2011 was much the same as they were beaten by the Crusaders in the semi-finals. Where 2012 has been different is that they’ve shown the bloody mindedness needed to edge some close encounters. It’s an attitude that’s allowed them to win all eight of their home matches, and achieve a 14 from 16 record overall.
As Coetzee said on Saturday, this team has moved on. Whether they’ve moved on enough to win the Super Rugby trophy will be revealed in the next two to three weeks, as the play-off games are different beasts. But at this point, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the magnitude of their most recent achievement, especially considering the difficulties they’ve faced regarding injuries.
That the Stormers are imperfect is not up for debate. There are elements of their game that require polishing, but these problems are related to the execution of their game plan rather than the game plan itself. And if you’re thinking about arguing the point, you’d better check the log again.
The current laws reward teams that place an emphasis on gain line dominance, territory and stingy defence, and the fact is reflected in the six sides that have qualified for the play-offs.
They all subscribe to the philosophy of execution over innovation, and even the Sharks have embraced a more-territory oriented approach in the latter stages of the competition. On the other end of the scale, teams like the Lions and Cheetahs have tried to create too much and have been duly punished.
Some would baulk at the comparison of the Chiefs and Stormers, and may believe that the Crusaders and Reds are exciting, free-running teams. I would agree on the count that the Chiefs, Crusaders and Reds have scored some outstanding tries this season, but where they differ from the Stormers is that they are superior finishers. The Stormers may be a bloody-minded outfit, but they lack killer instinct when it comes to turning attacking chances into tries.
What they do have is a faith and belief in their systems, and for that they’ve been rewarded with 14 wins and a first-place finish. I will admit that some of those performances have been painful to behold, but in sport the ends justifies the means. If they obtain the desired result, why shouldn’t they receive praise? Is there not beauty in finishing first?
They conceded 21 tries in 16 games, nine fewer than the next best defensive side, the Chiefs. It hasn’t mattered that they’re the worst attacking side in the tournament in terms of tries scored (28). Defence and uncompromising physicality, as well as the accuracy of Peter Grant’s goal-kicking boot, has put them into a position to host a semi-final and final.
As I’ve mentioned, they’ve managed to do all this without producing the most accurate performances. They’ve achieved a first-place finish without a host of first-choice players, and incredibly the high injury count hasn’t compromised their league campaign.
There will be less margin for error in the play-offs. This is also the stage where the best players leave their mark, and as a depleted side that will be forced to field a number of inexperienced forwards, the Stormers will be at a disadvantage.
They will enjoy the advantage of playing at Newlands, and they will know that they have the type of game plan to win championships. They will, however, need to be far more accurate than they have been in recent weeks if they’re going to claim that elusive Super Rugby title.
They’ve shown terrific ticker up to this point, but it’s going to take more than ticker to win the title that matters.
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131 Comments
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16 Jul 2012, 10:32 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home(poppa69)-91:
Ae brother, Meyer is one of those diehards who will find himself flat footed come Championship.The Stormer gameplan is a starting blueprint if he wants to find success.
16 Jul 2012, 10:33 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home(poppa69)-97:
I enjoyed watching the Canes too! They have shown great character especially after being told at the beginning the season they are too inexperienced…
The Blues are also a great team to watch, but a bit too inconsistent this year to say the least… Looked good on Saturday though…
16 Jul 2012, 10:39 am
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-102: never caught the blues game this weekend, was very surprised by the result… keep them off bottom so happy in that respect
@Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-101: no argument here bro… neinaber has their defence rock solid, half the job done for meyer if he takes off the blinkers
16 Jul 2012, 10:39 am
The only difference between the Stormers and (vintage) Bulls, Crusaders, Blues and Brumbies sides of yesteryear is that they are not planting 50 or so points against rubbish teams to underline their dominance. Maybe this is where the criticism might (subconsciously) stem from. Those teams got the right to play that way. The Stormers sides from before would try cut teams to shreds without the platform to do so.
Fact remains: the Stormers are now one of the top provincial sides in world rugby (THAT’S RIGHT!) which has placed a very high premium on its head. Very much like Ashwell Prince, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steve Waugh when they were at the height of their powers at the crease.
It goes without saying that the union’s goal is to win the darned thing and break the duck first before entertaining (Sharks, Bulls, Aussies, Kiwis) people whose opinion doesn’t really matter.
16 Jul 2012, 10:58 am
Congrats to Strompies this is yours to lose.
Bulls and Sharkies , you have wasted your chances in the early rounds of the competion to go and win now … mission impossible.
Although it will be good for the Strompies to fginally win something , the style of Rugby played is killing the game. As a Bulls supporter I have heard many time how one dimensional, brainless , dumb , stupid the Bulls rugby last few years were.
Now the Strompies are actually going better than that, they just defend ( cause like Bulls they can not scrum and their line-outs are iffy ) , and everyone is joyfull ???
To waist talent like Habana , JdV, JDJ, Geo , as tackle bags I think is sad.
Waars die ou WP Rugby , Dup and CO
16 Jul 2012, 11:24 am
Well done Stormers… 2 games to go…
16 Jul 2012, 11:26 am
@capebull(capebull)-105: good post.
16 Jul 2012, 11:29 am
this current stormers side is by far and away the most boring I have ever seen SA produce.
Nontheless, they take their chances when they matter and that has really been the key for me. The difference between all the top 6 sides is who takes their chances best. The down side of always strangeling opposition sides and never going out and spanking someone is that opposition will all fancy their chances against you. And that is the issue for the stormers for the next game, whomever comes to Newlands will really fancy it and even see it as by far the most favoable draw.
Ironic given that the stormers have the best win return ever.
For me, I think the sharks have a great shot albeit they just are not the same side without Frans Steyn there.
16 Jul 2012, 11:41 am
Stormers fans should never get upset about Bulls and Sharks fans moaning and bitching about boring Stormers rugby.We should remember:Their opinions doesn’t count.
16 Jul 2012, 11:44 am
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-94:
Men in Black campaign??
I am sur ethats already been done before the stormers
16 Jul 2012, 11:48 am
I remember a blogger called vindicated.
16 Jul 2012, 11:55 am
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-109:
Their opinions don’t count.
You thick twat.
16 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-112:
16 Jul 2012, 12:05 pm
@stormer in a teacup(stormer in a teacup)-113:
capo honestly.
he is so thick it hurts.
if he were a sandwich, he’d be a doorstop.
16 Jul 2012, 12:06 pm
@stormerforlife1(stormerforlife1)-109: That might be true, but deep down you know the truth.
16 Jul 2012, 12:08 pm
Then again we could end up with a Crusaders -Reds final.
16 Jul 2012, 12:20 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-110:
Yes, it has been done before but Montgomery, Skinstad, Paulse and Fleck just made it look good from 1999 – 2004.
We even had Stormers Cola and a Stormers Toyota Tazz. Was one of SA’s most successful marketing campaigns.
16 Jul 2012, 12:23 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-114: Blessed are the truly thick for they are too stupid to know how thick they actually are.
16 Jul 2012, 12:30 pm
Cooper banned for 1 week. Can appeal but then it can get worse
16 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-112:
16 Jul 2012, 12:54 pm
How was that tackle on Aplon. I told the person sitting next to me that their’s NO-WAY his getting up after that collision.
Must be something in the Hawston creef that makes him that tough.
Players and management are also aware that their’s a two week compulsory lay-off for concussion so Aplon might have said it was the 31st of December and he was at Club Galaxy but the doctor would still have given the okay.
16 Jul 2012, 13:02 pm
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-121: Can Aplon appply to get Alstadt banned ?
16 Jul 2012, 13:22 pm
The reason Stormers aren’t scoring tries is quite simple…they can’t. The gameplan and their style of being coached simply means they can’t breach the gainline.
It’s really that easy. They were found out in their game against one of the best attacking teams in Super Rugby…The Sharks.
16 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm
@capebull(capebull)-122:
friendly fire is a *****
16 Jul 2012, 13:36 pm
b i t c h
16 Jul 2012, 13:38 pm
Anyone know if Transformer was here today?
I suspect that he has joind the SKYL (Southern Kings Youth League) and is at this very moment toyi-toying in front of Nelson Mandela Bay stadium demanding some answers on this 40 million rand rumour.
16 Jul 2012, 15:27 pm
HAHAHAHA!
“pompies2 said:
11 Jul 2012, 14:02 pm
At least Allister Coetzee (toeties) is consistent when it comes to the business end of the competition. For me, he is almost the single biggest weakness in the stormers setup when it comes to knockout rugby. It has been shown on multiple occassions that he lacks the necessary acumen needed to make dynamic decisions to help his side get a competitive advantage. The Fourie selection smacks of a safe choice, which, while it may suffice in the match vs the rebels, will be hopelessly inadequate in knock-out rugby. The better choice would’ve been to try to build a loose-trio partnership with and etablished loose-forward.
Consider this. In a semi-final against either the sharks, brumbies, bulls or reds, would fourie be able to stand his ground as an 8th man? In a final, would fourie have the ability to stand his ground against his opposition 8?s?”
16 Jul 2012, 15:31 pm
And again hahahahaha:
“169.fitz1ella said:
11 Jul 2012, 18:32 pm
wrong decision this, Coetsee don’t strike me as somebody with enough deep enough conviction in his players abilities or character for this job
Playing Fourie at 8 is altogether wrong
He can fill in at 6 as a fill in option but not at 8
He has the following personnel fit and available
Armand, Kolisi, Elstadt, Bekker, Steenkamp, Roux, Fourie, Liebenberg.
With Etsebeth and perhaps Vermeulen available by semi’s
That is 8 players ready now capable to fill 6 positions and a further 2 by semi’s hopefully.
I would have rather seen Armand or Roux start at 8 and start Fourie at his prime position at hooker and perhaps rotate him to 6 second half when he can also switch Elstadt to 4 and Roux to 5 or Kolisi to 7 or 8.
At knockouts he has
Roux, Etsebeth, Bekker, Steenkamp, Elstadt all capable 2nd row options available
plus Kolsi, Armand, and perhaps Vermeulen if we lucky
That means with the luxury of Fourie being able to slot in at 6 we still have
2 starting locks, one for bench and another 2 locks who can fill in at either 7 or 8
For semi’s
We could start Etsebeth at 8 with Armand off bench
with Kolisi and Elstadt either side of scrum and
Fourie starting 2 and Liebenberg off bench.
Bekker and Steenkamp can start 2nd row with Roux off bench or switch around with Elstadt to 4 second half and Roux to 7 off bench
None of this utter reliance on particular individuals to fill into safety first panic stations breaches that aren’t necessary, there is plenty of cover enough through back row and 2nd row even now and unless more injuries this weekend should be more than enough for semi’s in 3 weeks time.”
16 Jul 2012, 15:31 pm
“185.fitz1ella said:
11 Jul 2012, 20:32 pm
Armand or Roux to 8
Fourie stays at 2 with stint at 6 if somebody gets hurt or rotation is needed
Coetsee way too conservative and he’s going to blow his teams chances with these chickenshit antics..
Both Roux and Armand can step up what’s he so chicken about?”
16 Jul 2012, 19:17 pm
Fact is, if any of our teams were in the same position as the Stormers right now we wouldn’t give a toss what kind of boring rugby we played. Its about winning, not how you win. Am envious!!!!!! But still think Stormers have some real yukkie tosspot supporters.
17 Jul 2012, 03:38 am
Treehugger, if you have a good look you will note that the sharks and bulls have a fair amount of dipshit supporters as well, certainly not confined to the Stormers.
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