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, 12:07 pm
@BuckT-146: No wonder Ricky’s gold chain just gets phatter and phatter.
24 Jul 2012, 12:08 pm
@rangerman-143: @WP Till I Die-141: Mrs G will be soooo happy
a pair of hands to shift furniture.
24 Jul 2012, 12:09 pm
@Transformation-152: Shift furniture? That’s a euphemism for something, right?
24 Jul 2012, 12:10 pm
@Transformation-152:
Maevis is overjoyed.
No more heavy lifting for her.
24 Jul 2012, 12:11 pm
chiefs have as good a chance of beating the crusaders.
but for me…it’s going to be the crusaders against the stormers in cape town.
the travel will hurt the sharks in the last few minutes.
traditionally the crusaders have taken a spanking against the bulls in playoffs in SA. The Stormers are different, they poep their pants.
24 Jul 2012, 12:11 pm
@rangerman-142: yes, without sounding to sarky, the sharks are impressing at the moment and even though i still don’t think we are going to see ‘that game’ from the Stormers we have been waiting for the whole season, if they can keep possession and play with confidence, it could go either way. how big was the snoek you shot anyway and did you just aim at a school and let fly or what??
24 Jul 2012, 12:12 pm
@>^..^< katman-153:
Some (door)***** need polishing.
24 Jul 2012, 12:12 pm
@WP Till I Die-157:
Doorknobs.
24 Jul 2012, 12:12 pm
@BuckT-146: You still playing, or has daddyhood finally sunk your hopes of an Open qualifier wildcard?
I’ll be playing my first game in months next weekend at Devonvale. Even hit the range a few times recently to make sure I can still advance the ball forward more often than not.
24 Jul 2012, 12:13 pm
@rangerman-150:
it was nice to see your Sharks offloading in the tackle, its not really that difficult so im not sure what all the fuss is about but they looked very good
24 Jul 2012, 12:14 pm
@BuckT-139:
there is no room for debate here.
finish and klaar.
@rangerman-143:
after market sound system from my friends at rad temple of sound in athlone.
piccanto’s have very good accoustics.
pump up the jam.
@WP Till I Die-145:
Mrs Gunther does her shopping in New York not Canal Walk.
She does have her car serviced there though.
24 Jul 2012, 12:14 pm
@BuckT-149:
yeah… lot’s of pink loslappies in pretoria now…
24 Jul 2012, 12:14 pm
@>^..^< katman-153: i think it will be automatic from the hand brake
24 Jul 2012, 12:15 pm
@BuckT-156:
No man.
You don’t shoot snoek.
The only time this has happened was when Snoek Dog was gunned down in Lavender Hill in 1997.
(But he was very big.)
24 Jul 2012, 12:16 pm
@WP Till I Die-154:
heavy lifting?
please man.
Maevis has had a doctors note for that since 2001.
The only lifting she does is coffee and sugar from my pantry and the remote control to change from Oprah to the Wrestling.
24 Jul 2012, 12:19 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-155: it’s defintely going to be close and going on the results this season, Chiefs have out played the saders, could have so easily been 2-0 in their favour, plus the home ground advantage….it’s almost as if the Saders reputation precedes them these days, even with a few strange results this season….plus I think Reid is a massive loss, so going to back the Chiefs.
24 Jul 2012, 12:20 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-165:
Was it not a sangoma note?
24 Jul 2012, 12:21 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-165: Why those are still two separate channels is beyond me. It’s the same market, so why not combine them? TV Show Wrestling could see Oprah take on Noleen and Jerry Springer up against Debora Patta.
Of course, I’d only tune in to watch Jeanne D take on anyone.
24 Jul 2012, 12:22 pm
@NZINCHINA-160: in SA one has to fuss as the coaches kill that kind of game at U20 level!
24 Jul 2012, 12:24 pm
@WP Till I Die-167:
I don’t know.
His name is Dr Moosha MD (University of Lagos)
His business card says he specialises in spells, manhood problems and “things that are bad in your head”.
I think I should pass his details on to Poep.
24 Jul 2012, 12:25 pm
@>^..^< katman-168:
Just add Juju to the mix – his signature move can be the Moët & Chandon Smackdown – and we have some real potential here.
24 Jul 2012, 12:26 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-170:
Ah, he’s the one who keeps making criminal cases disappear from the Cape Town Magistrates Court’s roll.
24 Jul 2012, 12:26 pm
@>^..^< katman-168:
it would certainly save Maevis some much deserved aggravation.
I want to see Noleen sit on Jeannie D’s face.
That’s payperview s.hit right there.
24 Jul 2012, 12:27 pm
@WP Till I Die-171:
Deborah Patta’s signature move – the Tongue Lash.
24 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
Did I say that out loud?
24 Jul 2012, 12:29 pm
@WP Till I Die-174: Or old Riaan C’s signature move, where he lifts the opponent’s feet off the ground, leaving them helplessly propped up on their hands, and then runs around the ring with them.
It’s called the Kruiwagen.
24 Jul 2012, 12:30 pm
@>^..^< katman-159: i manage a couple of rounds a month, keeps the rust off, but been a very fair weather golfer of note lately! we must organise a game at the Jewel of the north (aka durbanville) best greens in the Cape at the moment. lets wait until the fairways dry out first though!
24 Jul 2012, 12:30 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-175: Yep. And I now need a brainscrub.
24 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm
@WP Till I Die-164: You are posting comments too quickly. Please slow down.
@>^..^< katman-178: You are posting comments too quickly. Please slow down.
@the artist formerly known as gunther-175: You are posting comments far too f u ck ing quickly. Log the f kc u off.
24 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm
@BuckT-177:
the jewel of the north.
a rof diamond.
24 Jul 2012, 12:32 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-170: does he also guarantee no cheaty cheaty from wife with other manhood?
24 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
@BuckT-177: Funny that. D’urbanville always has the “best something” in Cape Town. You guys are truly privileged.
But yes, we must arrange something. Maybe drag Bod back onto the tee box.
24 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@>^..^< katman-182:
if only to mow it.
24 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-180: there are definitely a few cubics in the rough!
24 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
@>^..^< katman-182: yes, apparently best heroin dealers as well, if some stats are to be believed.
what has happened to bod these days, made a short return then dropped off the radar…
@the artist formerly known as gunther-183: hehe i thought you were still talking about Noleen sitting on Jeannie D’s face
24 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm
@BuckT-177:
“lets wait until the fairways dry out”.
Do you need that extra bit of rolly polly Buck.
24 Jul 2012, 12:45 pm
@cane-186: He doesn’t like mud splatter on his cream slacks.
24 Jul 2012, 12:48 pm
@cane-186: And the short answer is no. Buck gets more carry with his 8-iron than I get with my best topped driver – roll included.
24 Jul 2012, 12:51 pm
@cane-186: Pinnacles these days bounce through the mud…plus the greatest big bertha can still do the biznis!
24 Jul 2012, 14:27 pm
baie baie snaaks vandag
24 Jul 2012, 14:37 pm
@BuckT-189:
The greatest big Bertha?
Don’t tell me yours has a Doctors note as well ?
24 Jul 2012, 14:49 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-191: you were speaking on itenders earlier
nom nom nom
R8bn ‘green building’ for Pretoria
| 20 July 2012
Construction began on the Environmental Affairs Department’s new R8-billion “green building” in Pretoria on Thursday, illustrating South Africa’s determination to move towards a low-carbon economy.
It serves as a “green and bold step” which signals a new era in South Africa’s response to climate change, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said at the sod-turning ceremony.
Molewa predicted it would change the face of the construction industry.
“Through this green building we will propel the department above the construction industry players, setting a good example for other organisations and of course for the benefit of the environment and future generations,” she said.
http://www.southafrica.info/about/sustainable/green-200712.htm
24 Jul 2012, 14:58 pm
@Transformation-192:
R8 BILLION!!!!!!
24 Jul 2012, 15:04 pm
@Transformation-192: @WP Till I Die-193: A healthy lifestyle is expensive.
24 Jul 2012, 15:05 pm
Gunther @ 72.Hank senior
24 Jul 2012, 15:07 pm
@WP Till I Die-193: I think that amount includes the building of a life size replica Chapman’s Peak mountain – all these new buildings must be on one.
24 Jul 2012, 15:13 pm
Gunther @ 72.Country music that made sense.Not this “Baby make my blue jeans talk walk”****.
Johny cash @ Patsy Kline also great.
24 Jul 2012, 15:13 pm
I may have missed it but I don’t see too much of Tac around here…
I told him before the time that the Bulls 10-12 axis = their Achilles; unfortunately I did not see that game but was not surprised when I saw the final score; ironically Wynand Olivier’s try in that match will secure him his place in the Bok side
The bad news is that when Dan Kara departs then Tom Taylor will take over; now he comes from stock that offloaded in the tackle in the early 80s so it will be more of the same…
Meanwhile I’m afraid the Stormers will not triumph but the Sharks will then end up runners-up; you have to admire how the plan their season
24 Jul 2012, 15:15 pm
Admire how the Crusaders plan their season…
24 Jul 2012, 15:31 pm
Admire how you arrange your easy listening jazz collection.
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