Perspective required when rating Stormers
30 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes the Stormers’ campaign was compromised by a high injury count rather than a characteristic lack of composure.
The manner of defeat was disappointing, but was the result really that unexpected? This is the question Stormers fans should be asking following Saturday’s semi-final defeat.
It is usually the case that a team’s success is determined by how far it progresses in a particular tournament. For a regular play-off contender like the Stormers, a Super Rugby title win should denote success.
The Cape side has lost two finals and three semi-finals in the space of three seasons. Their title drought has spanned 11 long years. These are the numbers that critics and fans care about, and these are the facts that will be cited when most deliver their damning post-season reviews.
But to accept this view is to subscribe to a perception that is simplistic, narrow and more than a little hysterical.
I don’t believe the Stormers’ game plan and selections have been flawless, but I do believe the 2012 season has been different to those of the past.
It’s unfair to marvel at the manner in which the Stormers have responded to the challenges of the past five months and then denounce a play-off failure as just another in a long line of mental mishaps.
Indeed, what the Stormers have succeeded in doing this year is convincing a lot of people that they could survive without several key players. In reality, how can a team be expected to go on and win a championship when they’ve lost the quality of Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen? The Crusaders are always a less daunting prospect when Richie McCaw and Dan Carter are unavailable, and as the recent season will confirm, the Bulls are easier to beat now that Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez have moved on.
Every team must cope with injuries and losses, but the Stormers’ loose forward stocks were depleted to the point where they had lost their capable reserves as well as their stars.
Nick Koster and Nizaam Carr were ruled out, forcing Rynhardt Elstadt to move from lock to flank. Sanzar turned down the Stormers’ request to include Canadian Jebb Sinclair in the play-offs, necessitating Deon Fourie’s shift from hooker to No 8. Club players like Don Armand and Tyrone Holmes were also promoted to the greater squad.
The Stormers’ results may have convinced the rugby public that they were capable of absorbing the losses, and credit must go to the coaching staff as well as the youngsters for fueling that belief.
Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi… these are the rookies who made it look so easy during the regular season; they convinced everybody that the gap between junior rugby and Super Rugby was really not that big. On Saturday, however, we were reminded exactly why experience is crucial in play-off matches.
Etzebeth was the exception in the semi-final, showing a temperament and attitude that belied his years, but the other youngsters in the Stormers side didn’t rise for the big occasion. As a result, the Stormers weren’t successful as a collective.
I’m not suggesting that the Stormers are absolutely without fault. I maintain that their kicking game is inadequate, and it was certainly a weakness in their most recent defeat.
Peter Grant has proved a match-winner in front of goal, but his line-kicking is not up to standard. Coach Allister Coetzee complained that the Stormers couldn’t get out of their half in Saturday’s semi-final, and Grant’s boot was partially to blame.
Usually this weakness is offset by the contributions of Dewaldt Duvenage and Joe Pietersen, but when those players don’t come to the party, the Stormers struggle to win the territorial battle.
The set piece is still an area of concern. Kitshoff has emerged as one of the finds of the season, but as a unit, that Stormers scrum has been too inconsistent. The lineout is not the force it was in 2010, as the hookers are struggling to find their jumpers. The much vaunted maul has also delivered an underwhelming showing.
While these shortcomings and areas of concern need to be addressed, there should also be some perspective. The injury situation has forced many forwards to play out of position, and the changes in personnel has often prevented the pack from settling, even if that lack of synergy has rarely been reflected in the results.
Somehow the Stormers managed to top the log with what they had, somehow they managed to convince many people that they had a shot at winning the title. And who knows, if they had won through to a home final, it may have been possible.
There are reasons to feel encouraged if you consider that Burger and Vermeulen will be back for the 2013 season and a number of youngsters will be going into their second season with plenty of starting experience.
While there should never have been an expectation to win the 2012 trophy following the loss of so many key players, there will be great expectations for the Stormers to go all the way in 2013.
For now, a little perspective should ease the pain that accompanies a play-off defeat. Fans and critics must also accept the fact that the Stormers were beaten by the most complete side in the tournament.
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249 Comments
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30 Jul 2012, 11:13 am
@HHS-146: Yeah strangely enough we are staring to get some kind of depth at centre (JDV, Fransie, possibly Fourie coming back, JDJ, and some promising youngsters) but we are still really thin at wing. If JPP get’s injured we will not have too many options.
30 Jul 2012, 11:17 am
1 Beast
2 Bissy
3 Jannie
4 Eben
5 Kruger
6 Brussouw
7 Marcell
8 Alberts
9 Hougie
10 Lambie
11 Habs
12 Frans
13 JdV
14 Jpp
15 Aplon ???
\
30 Jul 2012, 11:18 am
@Provvas-147: Does anyone know when Goosen is expected back? I’m afraid that Steyn or Grant will be picked for the Boks. I’d much rather pick either Lambie or the Smit laaitie from FS, just not Grant or Steyn.
30 Jul 2012, 11:19 am
@Heavens Game-149: Easy to throw insults when your team has won. How about some grace in winning? Just be here come Monday.. no excuses then hey?
why do you not tell me where the mistakes are in the team?
Props are props… 1 or 3.. never played there never cared!!
30 Jul 2012, 11:22 am
@capebull-152: Marcell was pretty even to my opinion with kolisi.. and I still think Duane deserve a spot.. he played brilliantly before his injury. Your back three looks good..
@RefuGSpot-153: Goosen will be my first choice when he is fit!
Stormers need to sign this kid ASAP!!
30 Jul 2012, 11:29 am
@Provvas-155: That’d be great, but I think they are looking at Jantjies and even perhaps Sarel. Sarel and Goosen would be so much better.
30 Jul 2012, 11:31 am
@Provvas-154: Yes. It is easy
Especially when the Mighty Dynamite contest the Final, playing “Finals” rugby proper… And its also easy when the Sharks are without doubt the better team than the League “Toppers” and Conference Title “Holders” in head to head games this year…
It Reads:
Sharks 2 – Stormers 1
And lets not forget the first one was courtesy of a 3point ref gimme at Newlands to Grant in the last few mins… otherwise the Johnnies would have won that one too…
Just gently rubbing your nose in it
30 Jul 2012, 11:31 am
Brussouw has to be in the Bok team. He is one of the first players that should be picked.
And, Keo your site is f ucked again.
30 Jul 2012, 11:35 am
1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Bismark Du Plessis
3 Jannie Du Plessis
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Andries Bekker
6 Marcell Coetzee
7 Willem Alberts
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Francois Hougaard
10 Peter Grant
11 Bryan Habana
12 Francois Steyn
13 Jean De Villiers
14 JP Pietersen
15 Gio Aplon
16 Adriaan Strauss
17 Coenie Oosthuzyen
18 Juandre Kruger
19 Joshua Strauss
20 Jano Vermaak
21 Pat Lambie
22 Lwazi Mvovo
23 Chilliboy Ralepelle
24 Pat Cilliers
25 Siya Kolisi
26 Ryan Kankowski
27 Michael Bondesio
28 Elton Janjtes
29 Juan De Jongh
30 Jaco Taute / Louis Ludik
30 Jul 2012, 11:37 am
@RefuGSpot-158:
not for me. Off the bench maybe.
1.beast
2.bissie
3.jannie
4.etsbeth
5.kruger
6.marcel
7.alberts
8. kankowski
9.mccloud
10.jantjies
11.basson
12.frans
13.devilliers
14.jpp
15.ludik
16.strauss
17.coenie
18.bressler
19.elstadt
20.potgieter.d
21.hougaard
22.lambie.
30 Jul 2012, 11:38 am
@Mr Black-143:
good post…
enjoy…!!
@Provvas-144:
@HHS-146:
the whole sharks team and JP monist other players have been improving with every game… i reckon a move there for JP would be very interesting…
@CharlesM-148:
hey Charles… wasn’t it a great vibe at newlands… at the beginning anyway
yeah, we were outplayed no doubt… and no shame IMO either… i’m not gonna get into singling out players right now… overall the sharks were the better team individually and collectively… and won deservedly…
great to here chris october is still around… he did a great job with the school teams let’s hope he does well with the U20s… thanks for that info…
30 Jul 2012, 11:39 am
why oh frikken why is anyone even considering Bekker in a starting 15 let alone a match 22?
he’s done bugger all apart from being tall. the SA rugby flattrack player of the year for the past 3 years.
30 Jul 2012, 11:40 am
@Provvas-155: Vermeulen definitely should be in the mix but then we need to worry aboutt he balance of the lossies, if we play Vermeulen and Alberts then we must either play Brussow or ensure Coetzee play’s as much to the ball as possible. Schalk also makes things complicated if he is fit.
30 Jul 2012, 11:42 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-160: Swap Basson for Hougaard and McLeod for Pienaar then I’m with you there 100%
30 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
@Provvas-155: I believe Brussouw almost beat the Sharkies alone , the game changed when he left, Both Marcell and Kolisi are not fetchers , I like to have one in my team
30 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
@Rhys7-159:
Cannot find too much fault with that team. I would, however, put a more mobile looseforward on the bench as you already have two big blokes in Vermeulen and Alberts. Kolisi or Daniel would be my reserve loosie.
Apart from that I think that it is a very good team.
30 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-160: Jantjies and Grant ahead of Lambie? Grant is a really good player but he doesn’t have the boot for test rugby and Jantjies has a way to go still. For me Lambie ticks all the boxes. He has a good boot, can play nice and flat and get his backs going and he is probably the best defensive FH in the country, on a par with Grant defensivley.
30 Jul 2012, 11:43 am
@Heavens Game-149:
While I hope that the Sharks win the trophy for SA – you are still a d.o.o.s. of note.
30 Jul 2012, 11:45 am
@STBUR-168: Why?
You hurt me so bad.
30 Jul 2012, 11:47 am
@Rhys7-159: Marcell is not in the same league as Brussouw. Alberts is also inconsistent and he’d do better to stay an impact player.
1 Tendai Mtawarira
2 Bismark Du Plessis
3 Jannie Du Plessis
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Andries Bekker
6 Heinrich Brussouw
7 Schalk Burger
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Francois Hougaard
10 Goosen
11 Bryan Habana
12 Francois Steyn
13 Jean De Villiers
14 JP Pietersen
15 Lambie or Taute or Le Roux or Daniller or Aplon
30 Jul 2012, 11:50 am
@STBUR-168: I will back that statement.. the do os part for that matter, not the sharks winning it…
30 Jul 2012, 11:50 am
@RefuGSpot-170: You have to many injured players in your team
Bugger
Vermeulen
Goosen are all out
Bekker plays wing not lock
30 Jul 2012, 11:52 am
@capebull-172: Like Victor?
30 Jul 2012, 11:53 am
@Skeppie-167:
Grant is shite with a pop gun boot. The backs can’t score tries. Even with all the frontfoot ball the stormers have had…not even 1 game with 4 tries?
Mornes way off his game and still a significantly better player than grant.
Lambies best games as flyhalf were in 2010.
goosen looks to be the future but hasn’t played enough top rugby yet because of injury.
jantjies is the next best in my opinion, has been playing well in a losing cause.
30 Jul 2012, 11:55 am
@RefuGSpot-170:
that would be a pretty good side if you just removed all the average Stormers from it.
30 Jul 2012, 11:55 am
Burger and Vermeulen will be back for the start of the Champ Tourney
30 Jul 2012, 11:56 am
@RefuGSpot-173:
no, nothing like Victor.
in 2007,2009,2010…..Victor turned in top draw performances when it mattered most to his franchise.
bekker was awol.
30 Jul 2012, 11:57 am
I will give my personal rating for the 2nd raters they are absolutely bloody useless 1 vodacam cup win in the last 11 years but that is actually an achievement for them so my rating is a perfect O.
30 Jul 2012, 11:57 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-175: And replaced the with Bulls players? Come on, they are nowhere.
30 Jul 2012, 11:57 am
@RefuGSpot-176:
and you’d select them without them having played a game of rugby in 4-5 months?
not very clever in my opinion.
30 Jul 2012, 11:58 am
@RefuGSpot-176:
Burger won’t.
30 Jul 2012, 11:58 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-162:
Flat track Bok team:
15. Zane
14. Shadow*
13. WO
12. JdV
11. that cheetah wing*
10. Morne
9. Mc Cleod
8. Spies
7. Tarzan Potgieter
6. Stegman
5. Flippie
4. Bekker
3. Brock*
2. Burden*
1. that Bulls prop
* I know they are not Boks yet but some people called for them to be selected in the past.
30 Jul 2012, 11:59 am
@Brigadier Van Zyl-177: Yeh I agree, he was pretty inconsistent.
30 Jul 2012, 12:01 pm
I can’t wait to see Duane dominate in the Championship.
30 Jul 2012, 12:01 pm
@nama1-182: Really?
30 Jul 2012, 12:02 pm
@nama1-182:
you are missing de jongh and peter grant.
30 Jul 2012, 12:04 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-180:
You felt the same when Meyer selected Tarzan after a 6 week injury lay-off?
Keep in mind that it was his 1st time in the Bok squad unlike somebody like Schalk who is a veteran of test rugby.
30 Jul 2012, 12:05 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-174: I agree except about Lambie, he has been playing 15 for the Boks and hence a bit of 15 for the Sharks as well so not really fair to say he hasn’t played well at 10. For me he has all the attributes and if we invest in him the way the Aussies invested in Larkham we could have a great 10 for many years to come. I would say the exact same thing for Goosen as well though, the two of them need to be our focus.
30 Jul 2012, 12:07 pm
@the artist formerly known as gunther-186:
Grant, I’ll grant you but De Jongh did well in the few chances he had.
30 Jul 2012, 12:08 pm
@RefuGSpot-176: They won’t be risked due to their injuries.The Sharks loosies more than capable enough to tackle the best of Australasia and Argentina.
30 Jul 2012, 12:08 pm
@nama1-187:
true…but he was never supposed to play in the first place, skalk was out and so was alberts?
30 Jul 2012, 12:10 pm
@nama1-182:
funny thing is….all those bulls have superrugby medals.
go figure
30 Jul 2012, 12:20 pm
@Heavens Game-157:
I don’t know why you put it in inverted commas. Yes they are the league champions and table toppers. Hopefully the Sharks win this dammm thing so that SA can (I can’t believe I’m saying this) build some momentum going in to the RC (what a k@k name).
Finally you were correct with the BOOM!! Congratulations
30 Jul 2012, 12:25 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-192:
True that.
Are the medals a real indication of their quality though?
Easy to shine in a team when you are surrounded by high quality players.
Look at Mc Cleod at the Sharks. Michalak is bringing out the best in him. Is he Bok quality though? I’ll bet you if you play him alongside Morne Steyn tomorrow, he will look mediocre at best.
30 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
Morne, as with Grant, has the ability to make an entire backline look average.
30 Jul 2012, 12:28 pm
Good piece from Ashfak on IOL
The Stormers need to lighten up. Not crack more jokes, but lighten up in terms of how they approach a rugby game. The current team are besieged by a defensive mindset, as opposed to teams like the Chiefs, the Crusaders, the Sharks and the Reds, who play with a positive mindset.
A defensive mindset is when Louis Schreuder kicks the ball away with two minutes left of a semi-final when he has a three-man overlap around his own 10-metre line despite the Stormers having built up great momentum through a multi-phase attack.
It’s when captain Jean de Villiers, in a press conference before the Sharks semi-final, says in a throwaway line “And we don’t need to score four tries!”. It’s when Dewaldt Duvenage kicks those little chips from inside the opposition’s half into their 22. It’s when coach Allister Coetzee sarcastically says “I thought we were a boring side!”.
A positive mindset does not mean indiscriminately running the ball from your own tryline. It does not mean neglecting defence or a kicking game. The Chiefs, for example, have improved their defensive systems out of sight this season and added some bite to their pack. But they are still capable of scoring great tries, because they have a positive mindset.
A positive mindset is about imposing your game on the opposition. Another example is the Bulls under Victor Matfield between 2007 and 2010. The Bulls still used their pack to gain dominance, Morné Steyn kicked everything over and they had a strong defence. But they were far from a one-dimensional team. They were able to win by scoring tries and taking control of games.
With the Stormers, the buzzwords are “build an innings”, “play in their half” or “play for territory”, “stay in the systems and structures”, “stick to the plan”. The Stormers have basically perfected defence – being the team with the best defensive record in three years of Super Rugby proves that. Now they need to make their attacking game their No 1 focus. Defence can only take you so far.
Also, sometimes you have to deviate from the plan if it’s not working, and the Stormers did it too late on Saturday night. They waited until 20 minutes before the end to throw the restrictive gameplan out of the window and just trust their instincts and take on the Sharks for a change. And if the game had gone on for another two or three minutes, the Stormers would probably have won and hosted a home final.
Compare De Villiers, Juan de Jongh, Bryan Habana, Gio Aplon and Joe Pietersen to Tim Whitehead, JP Pietersen, Lwazi Mvovo, Louis Ludik and Riaan Viljoen. Who would you pick out of the two groups? The way the Stormers play rugby doesn’t appear to be natural to a lot of the players in the team. Backline coach Robbie Fleck has often used the line “We’ve played to a certain pattern this year, and it has got us to where we are.” Fleck is under fire for the team’s inability to score tries, but knowing what he was like as a player, can he really be happy as a coach with the conservative gameplan?
The Stormers have had a terrible run with injuries this year. Losing your entire first-choice loose trio of Schalk Burger, Nick Koster and Duane Vermeulen, and then talented youngster Nizaam Carr to injury for large parts of the season, but especially for the semi-final, was tough to overcome.
Allister Coetzee has done great work to lead the Stormers to three successive home semi-finals in Super Rugby, as well as a final berth in 2010 and two consecutive SA conference trophies. But he needs to change his team’s defensive mindset if the Stormers are to take the next step up and win their first ever Super Rugby title in 2013.
*Send us your views – ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za
30 Jul 2012, 12:31 pm
@RefuGSpot-185:
Will you play that Bok team against NZ or Aus or even Italy?
30 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
@nama1-194:
well, they can’t all be average otherwise how the hell did the team win?
Ashfak ******** is the biggest plonker out there….just because he figured out what most did some time ago already doesn’t suddenly give him any credibility.
he is the quitessential quota chip-on-the-shoulder journo.
Jake had the right idea when he threatened to plant him one.
30 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
@nama1-189:
what top class international opposition has he dominated?
30 Jul 2012, 12:36 pm
@Brigadier Van Zyl-198:
jaaaaaaa boet…
so you go with the kill the messenger life philosophy then…?
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