Stormers must handle first-half heat
24 Jul 2012
Allister Coetzee believes the Stormers will need to dominate the forward exchanges and bank early points if they’re going to stall the rampant Sharks.
The Stormers have produced some commanding first-half performances over the course of the 2012 season. If there has been one period of the game where they have consistently flagged, it’s been in the third quarter, and it is that lack of concentration that has often allowed the opposition back into the contest.
That being said, it’s interesting to note that the Stormers are not a team that excels at chasing the game. Indeed, in their two losses to the Crusaders and Sharks this season, they have trailed at half-time.
The Sharks won that derby in Durban 25-20 after leading 20-6 at the break. They also made a massive statement when they went to Brisbane last Saturday and scored 17 unanswered points in the first half hour.
No doubt they will be looking for another strong start in this weekend’s semi-final, as it will put the Stormers into a position where the Cape side will need to chase the game.
The Stormers coach believes there are lessons to be taken from the Stormers’ earlier defeat to the Sharks, and that the first-half showing will be important to the outcome.
‘It’s always a tight affair when these two teams play,’ he said. ‘There was three points in it in the first match, five points in the second and I’m sure it will be similarly close this Saturday.
‘[In the Durban fixture] they did well in the first half, they really looked to attack our set piece. When you can’t get lineout or scrum ball on your own terms, it can make life very difficult.
‘We were really unhappy with our first-half performance in that game. We lost a lot of ball in contact and made errors which they duly punished. It’s something the Crusaders did to us in last year’s semi-final, where they really pressured us at the set pieces.
‘We are looking for a good start but we are also looking to sustain that for 80 minutes.’
The Sharks boast an all-Springbok front row and have been one of the leading scrummaging teams in 2012. Their lineout is competitive, which as Coetzee suggests makes it very difficult for opponents to secure good set-piece possession.
They have some powerful ball carriers capable of dominating the collisions, as well as several players who are exceptionally good when it comes to turning the ball over at the breakdown.
Coetzee again highlighted the need for a top set-piece effort this Saturday, as well as an accurate breakdown performance that will limit the Sharks’ turnover opportunities. The Stormers boast the best defence in the competition, but that defence is more susceptible on turnover ball.
‘You can’t give them turnover ball, they use it very well,’ said Coetzee in reference to the Sharks’ performance against the Reds. ‘That’s what happens when you lose the collisions and you don’t look after your possession. And by looking after your possession, I mean winning clean ball at the set pieces too.’
The Sharks won’t be as fresh as their Cape counterparts, having had to fly to Australia and back within the space of a week. Coetzee, however, insists that the Stormers wouldn’t be taking anything for granted this Saturday.
The Stormers coach said the prospect of hosting a final at Newlands would serve as extra motivation to beat the Sharks.
‘This is what we’ve worked for all season, and knowing that we could have a home final is also a massive incentive. We are really close to achieving that. That’s why we view this weekend’s game as a big opportunity.
‘There’s going to be pressure, but we’re going to embrace it. We’re not just going to absorb it, but handle it.’
By Jon Cardinelli
428 Comments
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24 Jul 2012, 05:15 am
Stormers will definitely have their work cut out for them, but they’ll pull through. After the victory in Pretoria me thinks they have new mettle.
24 Jul 2012, 05:36 am
forget about turnovers, you bloody box-kicking scrum half will hand the sharks ALL the possession they need to rip your D apart…fix that s.hit & you’re half way there.
24 Jul 2012, 05:39 am
and with jpp @ his devastating best you’ll be up the creek without a paddle AC if duvenhage does his useless boxkicks to nowhere.
24 Jul 2012, 05:47 am
@Transformation-2: @Transformation-3:
Very poor quality imitations
24 Jul 2012, 06:03 am
Good point Trans. DuvetHanger (& grant) must control the game on their terms & be stingy with possession
24 Jul 2012, 06:20 am
I think the Stormers need to make sure they score more points than the Sharks and they will win…
24 Jul 2012, 06:23 am
Well said, Einstein!!!
24 Jul 2012, 06:26 am
@Slartibartfast-6:
Good afternoon Slarti…..I was impressed by the Sharks, they played very well on the weekend, if they can put in another big effort could cause an upset you think?
24 Jul 2012, 06:28 am
@viewer-5:
Do you think that was Transformation,or rather the real one?
24 Jul 2012, 06:31 am
#7 Sorry, forgot to start the sentence with “Duh,!”
24 Jul 2012, 06:35 am
@Slartibartfast-6:
” I think the Stormers need to make sure they score more points than the Sharks and they will win…”
I’m beginning to think you maybe an impostor too. The Slartibarfast I know is a very astute rugby man. Don’t know about this site.
24 Jul 2012, 06:36 am
@BrumbiesBoy-10:
Well that is why my nickname is Einstein and yours not…!
@Te Rangatira-8:
Bridge to far I think T-Ranga, the Stormers defense is just to good and a tired Sharks team will struggle.
But having said that, the Sharks team who beat the Bulls and Reds looked like a champion side and if they were at home would be clear favorites. Which ever way it won’t be by much.
24 Jul 2012, 06:39 am
@Te Rangatira-11:
Hehehe no TRanga, no imposter but was just trying to keep up with the very lofty journalistic abilities of the keo scribes. They do come up with some real beauties sometimes.
24 Jul 2012, 06:44 am
@Te Rangatira-4: indeed
24 Jul 2012, 06:47 am
@Te Rangatira-8:
One big unknown in this game is also that we have the perennial ‘chokers’ in this game, both have been here plenty of times and without fail used the opportunity to fail miserably. You would think with a defensive record like they have, and a low error type game plan, that the Stormers should do fine but it has failed them in the past.
On paper I think the Sharks have a better tight 5 but as soon as you move away from that the Stormers forwards are capable to stand their man. Back, zero flair in the Stormers but they did not end #1 because of flair…the froggie at #10 for the Sharks may have a blinder…or not!
24 Jul 2012, 06:49 am
I would play Fourie at 2. Liebenberg is off his game. Stormers will need the PitBull in the first 30, just to counter possession. I think the Stormers will be conservative, if not boring, for the first 30, relying on a kicking game and lineout superiority. But banking on tired legs is a very negative approach. If they lose the crowd, they will lose.
24 Jul 2012, 06:50 am
@Slartibartfast-12:
You are probably right…. Stormers have impressed me with their consistency to churn out a win, even when mediocre….a very good team.
@Slartibartfast-13:
Oh sorry…….. there have been some episodes of nick misappropriation, thought you may have been a victim…..might just be me seeing things…..to be honest haven’t read this bit of Keo scribes journalistic brilliance…. not up to reading that stuff.
24 Jul 2012, 06:54 am
@Te Rangatira-8: I’m sure that every kiwi will be supporting the guppies, for the final in NZ of course.
24 Jul 2012, 06:55 am
@Slartibartfast-15:
I really can’t pick a winner, both teams are high quality and it will come down to who wants it the most.
24 Jul 2012, 07:00 am
@Te Rangatira-17:
Every so often I forget and then I read it!
Sign of a good team, winning even when looking poor. The problem with the game plan, and where they came unstuck before, is that in finals rugby the opposition suddenly plays a similar game i.e. winning at all cost if only by 1 point.
So the harder pick for me is the other semi, would say Chiefs but only because they at home?
24 Jul 2012, 07:01 am
@Te Rangatira-19:
So it comes down to home ground and travel fatigue…
24 Jul 2012, 07:02 am
@RL-18:
Yeah I was thinking that way, hoping Sharks will come back these ways, but am beginning to get weird thoughts about going to Newlands and winning a final there as being more satisfying.
24 Jul 2012, 07:07 am
@Slartibartfast-20:
Im going for the Chiefs because on my slide rule of likeability they are ahead of the Crusaders
@Slartibartfast-21:
Home Ground is a real advantage…..travel fatigue only comes into it when you lose….if you get my drift.
24 Jul 2012, 07:12 am
@Te Rangatira-23:
Hehehe on your slide scale! Can I assume the Saders are a fair way down on the NZ scale?
I do but no matter wht they say the sharks must suffer.
24 Jul 2012, 07:13 am
last time i checked rugby is a 80min game.
this game is going to be tighter than a nun,so one lapse of concentration for a small period of time could sway the result of this game.
will the stormers lack of try scoring ability come back and haunt them?
let us see.
24 Jul 2012, 07:14 am
te ranged have you ever been really overseas?
oz and the islands dont count
24 Jul 2012, 07:15 am
Linkin Park is coming to Mzansi in November!
24 Jul 2012, 07:26 am
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ-l1LIdWOU
When china comes along please point him to this post.
china I would love your opinion on this as you stay there.
Is Mc Williams being accurate,or is he wong?
24 Jul 2012, 07:45 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19-26:
Kia ora Fernly, yeah been to a few places outside Oz and Fiji, was alot fitter back in those days. I will retract my “travel excuse” Fernly, because if Sharks make the final and win it here, it will be the Greatest Feat in the History of the competition based on the distance traveled and the opposition faced. All good now?
24 Jul 2012, 08:19 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19-27: And if you are a member of the underground you can get your tickets today already, like I will be doing. Chester and the crew in CT, Xmas in November. On a side note, I imagined Barry Manilow was your thing, not the incredible Linkin Park.
24 Jul 2012, 08:24 am
@Te Rangatira-29:
You safe, won’t happen!
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-30:
24 Jul 2012, 08:32 am
See Paul Jordaan is still struggling with that hammie injury and is 50/50 for this game. Do hope though that Jordaan comes through this injury this week, as he was outstanding on Saturday. Lambie still out injured too.
So do we have a case to apply again to get Frans Steyn? I know we were denied the first time round but think we have a better case this time. Worth a try I think. Bosman is actually registered as a fh. So worth a try I think to apply again.
24 Jul 2012, 08:35 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-30:
And here I thought it was Barry White?
24 Jul 2012, 08:36 am
@ Puma
Are you one of those okes that thinks NO actually means YES?
24 Jul 2012, 08:36 am
@Puma-32:
It’s not going to happen…
24 Jul 2012, 08:36 am
@Blokkies-34:
24 Jul 2012, 08:37 am
@Blokkies-34: Yip…
Worth a try though. They can only say bugger off…. or yes
24 Jul 2012, 08:38 am
@WP Till I Die-35: hahaha. You never know pal.
24 Jul 2012, 08:39 am
In other news, the Stormers still can’t score tries.
24 Jul 2012, 08:40 am
@kaksioek-39:
24 Jul 2012, 08:41 am
@WP Till I Die-33:
Quite possibly. Barry is the perfect ‘fit’ for all of Fern’s ‘alleged’ encounters with the ladies. Candles, Barry White, cheap wine, faulty condoms….(I actually imagine him being one of those twats who dances for his ladies – Magic Mike he ain’t, of that I am 100% certain.)
24 Jul 2012, 08:41 am
@Jinx2-16: “I think the Stormers will be conservative, if not boring, for the first 30 …” What will they do for the other 50 minutes – sit on the sidelines?
24 Jul 2012, 08:42 am
I want to see Tiaan cry again.
Bissy make it happen…
24 Jul 2012, 08:45 am
“No doubt they will be looking for another strong start in this weekend’s semi-final, as it will put the Stormers into a position where the Cape side will need to chase the game.”
Yes, they would have to go on an all out place-kicking rampage. Hide your women and children.
24 Jul 2012, 08:47 am
Sharky fanboys (and hangers on from other unions) in PR overdrive…. Boom, Bang, Boom, Bang. This is something to behold.
24 Jul 2012, 08:50 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-41:
is jy rerig n vroumens?
“one of those twats who dances for his ladies”
24 Jul 2012, 08:52 am
The Stormers have been hiding their playoff game planning brilliantly the whole year.
The subtle signs have been there, but most armchair supporters are too faak to have noticed.
We will abandon the conservative approach and run the ball from all quarters.
Brock has peaked at the perfect time to take his true position of flyhalf. He is going to run over the Frenchman every chance he gets, and offload to a flying Bekker who will make a speedbump out of Bosman before skip passing to Tiaan on the wing who is a demon at scoring in the corner with 4 defenders hanging on him….
Oh and I almost forgot, Gio is gonna secure all our lineout ball when Andries lifts him 4 meters in the air.
You Guppies aint gonna know whats hit ya
24 Jul 2012, 08:53 am
Sadie to Cheetahs on a two year deal just read it now on the SA rugby mag page on Facebook (via EWN sport)
24 Jul 2012, 08:54 am
@blokkies
very snaaks this morning
24 Jul 2012, 08:54 am
@ kaksioek
LOL @ “an all out place-kicking rampage” hehehe
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