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, 10:02 am
And now we’re going to take it down a notch. Kick back and relax with this little number by the evergreen Jim Reeves. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOZjIMJS_jc
24 Jul 2012, 10:02 am
@NZINCHINA-97: and now hes not going to follow super rugby anymore..
the toy has officially been cast from the cot..
hilarious stuff, now if we talked of players like he talked of them on here (e.g calling reid a filthy cheat scum) hooboy, we’d have tough guys telling us to fck off from the blog..
got to love the beaten Saffa, they are priceless…
24 Jul 2012, 10:03 am
johnny cash
nuff said….
24 Jul 2012, 10:03 am
@ufo-91:
don’t be like that.
Caner has just put a new astroturf carpet on his Airstream’s patio.
24 Jul 2012, 10:05 am
@NZINCHINA-97:
you keep believing that…
24 Jul 2012, 10:06 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home-102:
i’m presuming thats Houston we have a problem? yip he’s been made to look very foolish the Bulls were slowing the ball down ,late/high tackles and entering the ruck from behind Ellis, isn’t that what he calls cheating?
24 Jul 2012, 10:06 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-104:
hehehe
24 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-94: hahahaha
ja, let’s isolate ourselves AGAIN 
24 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
cane, poppa, NZiC, hurricane all got good sense of humor…
24 Jul 2012, 10:07 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-103: Nasir Jones….enough said
24 Jul 2012, 10:09 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-94: Bud, seriously. The bulls were dire. The only reason they lost is because they sucked. I was hoping they would pitch up, but they didn’t. And they were the ones playing spoiling negative rugby, not the saders.
24 Jul 2012, 10:10 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-103:
Pooper was named after one of his songs.
24 Jul 2012, 10:11 am
@Atreides-111:
he bit the head of his Ritchie voodoo doll half way through the 2nd half
24 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-112: A boy named Sue?
24 Jul 2012, 10:12 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-112: big john? awww shucks Gunther, you do look at other blokes when in the conveniences huh? I thought it was only a rumour…
@NZINCHINA-106: Im waiting for the ref cheating post from our man with the love for bakkies… that ne should be highly entertaining
24 Jul 2012, 10:14 am
@>^..^< katman-114:
24 Jul 2012, 10:15 am
@Transformation-110:
i googled him.
he cannot possibly be as famous or musically good as johnny cash?
@Atreides-111:
agreed, it was a woeful, inept performance by the bulls and they deservedly lost. crusaders were at their usual though, watch the game again.
and watch the game against the chiefs, see how that goes.
and if they win then watch the game against their finals opponent, see how that goes.
i wont watch the nz game but will enjoy the stormers – sharks clash.
24 Jul 2012, 10:16 am
Gunther, i think this new found revelation has actually led me to understand your fixation with the “canon on my canoe”…
e noho ra gentleman, and goodbye for now to you Saffas too..
24 Jul 2012, 10:18 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home-118:
Bye Sue.
24 Jul 2012, 10:18 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-112:
sue..?.
that explains a lot
24 Jul 2012, 10:18 am
@NZINCHINA-106:
Houston has gone into hibernation for a one week sabbatical, he will return with more allegations of onfield injustices perpetrated by us conniving kiwi………I’m beginning to love that shitt and I think Houston is the shizz.
24 Jul 2012, 10:18 am
@William Webb Ellis is now at home-118: Don’t forget your hairnet.
24 Jul 2012, 10:20 am
@>^..^< katman-114:
snap
@the artist formerly known as gunther-119:
i think it’ll stick
24 Jul 2012, 10:22 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-119: f uck, finally. Whatawanker
24 Jul 2012, 10:22 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-117:
The Bulls cheated all night very cynical, they made your prop an honourary Crusader after the match.
24 Jul 2012, 10:23 am
@Te Rangatira-121:
he must have rented a cave in Pretoria
24 Jul 2012, 10:26 am
@Te Rangatira-121:
no, its really just the crusaders and anyone who supports that sort of thing in rugby. even the chiefs are nowhere near as bad and the other nz unions are still within reason.
crusaders rugby is filthy, dishonest, cheap shot, cheating rugby…
and then there’s the refs amd TMO’s, i wont even go there…
24 Jul 2012, 10:27 am
@NZINCHINA-125:
cynical..?
ha
haha
hahahahaha
24 Jul 2012, 10:27 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-127:
you’ve been there a thousad times before one more time won’t hurt
24 Jul 2012, 10:35 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-127:
Houston you are here, HG is right need to have the former nic posted, well my friend you are obviously not going for the Crusaders…….join me in supporting the Chiefs……they will take down those “Cheats” for us, whattayousay.
24 Jul 2012, 10:47 am
@NZINCHINA-129:
cant you get no satisfaction…
@Te Rangatira-130:
i mean no offense but i dont think i can stomach to watch the chiefs – crusaders game, rangy. i do support you along with the chiefs though.
anyone to keep those people out, is a good thing.
24 Jul 2012, 10:55 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-131:
Yeah I understand……oh well Houston all the best and I will look out for your new nic. Peace out
24 Jul 2012, 11:26 am
@wait for it, wait for it…-117: different strokes for different folks.
24 Jul 2012, 11:27 am
@Transformation-133:
‘n Voël in die hand is beter as twee voëls in die bos.
24 Jul 2012, 11:39 am
@WP Till I Die-134: is that jackparow?
24 Jul 2012, 11:41 am
I see Sportingbet has the Stormers as favourites at 3/5. Sharks are still at 6/4.
24 Jul 2012, 11:41 am
@Transformation-135:
No, Fern.
24 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
@WP Till I Die-136:
the stormers have always been the saffa favourites.
nothing new there.
24 Jul 2012, 11:57 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-138: maybe deep down in your subconscious mind, but weren’t the sharks and stormers both initially listed as initial favourites…? bookies place a huge emphasis on home ground advantage, but one can’t deny the sharks ‘momentum’. who are you supporting this Sat? be honest
24 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
i am loving all the “oh the sharks are the greatest and the stormers mustnt even bother” posts from stormers fans.
so sarky, so tender, such sensitivity.
you must wake up.
24 Jul 2012, 12:00 pm
@BuckT-139:
Gunther will be washing his Kia Picanto on Saturday…
24 Jul 2012, 12:01 pm
@BuckT-139: howdy buckt, long time mate.
we are in for a ripper this weekend.
i am very keen to see how the sides match up and i am already proud of both teams players (saffas one and all now that jeb is gone).
a true saffa derby.
24 Jul 2012, 12:02 pm
@WP Till I Die-141:
with the bass turned up.
24 Jul 2012, 12:02 pm
This site is going to the dogs…what’s up with the “posting too fast” comments?
24 Jul 2012, 12:04 pm
@rangerman-143:
He might even turn convention on its head entirely and accompany Mrs Gunther to Canal Walk…
24 Jul 2012, 12:04 pm
Katman – Caddies fees are tax deductable, so unless he received a special ‘bonus’ from Ernie, I think his credit this month is still good!
in ’97 when Ernie won the US Open, there was a Major bonus clause from Taylor Made that paid out $2Million so he gave the first prize of $500K to Ricky
24 Jul 2012, 12:05 pm
@rangerman-142:
Ahem.
I know Tendai Mtawarira got his SA citizenship.
But I’m pretty sure Freddie Michalak is here on a work permit…
24 Jul 2012, 12:06 pm
@WP Till I Die-144: Ryan V and John C have to re-type all the comments from the little text box to the space under our names. Sometimes they struggle to keep up. Luckily Fuckadilly has taken a minor sabbatical. His posts are a fcken nightmare.
24 Jul 2012, 12:06 pm
@WP Till I Die-141: you think the ‘wash cloth’ might be of a pink variety?
24 Jul 2012, 12:07 pm
@WP Till I Die-145: haha, kanalia walk?
@WP Till I Die-147: haha, true that. forgot about the frog.
typical sharks breaking the mold again.
we are like that here in durbs.
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