Stubborn Stormers will stumble
5 Mar 2013
MARK KEOHANE argues the Stormers problem is a defensive coaching mindset and not a lack of options in their pack.
Among the more astute and analytical rugby writers in the country is the Cape Argus’s Zelim Nel, who outside of being a fine fellow, is also a rugby coach.
He writes very differently to most who report on the game because he is more a coach who writes than a writer who coaches. I am always interested in Nel’s take on a match and he is good value. Do yourself a favour and get the Argus for his analytical pieces.
Nel, though, feels much of the Stormers try-scoring woes stems from vulnerability among the pack. He lamented an indifferent lineout that has lost its potency in the enforced absence of Eben Etzebeth and he wrote of the Stormers being an inferior collective when it comes to the pack presence.
The Stormers, in their two defeats, have struggled at the set phases. In Pretoria the lineout and scrum were poor and individually the players were second best in the collisions. In Durban the lineout was better but the players were again shaded in the collisions and the pack, in the scrum, were decidedly second best.
But I disagree with Nel that the primary reason the Stormers backs don’t function fluently is because of a poor pack effort. I think it has more to do with the predetermined plan that is all about defence and then thinks about attack.
The Sharks forwards are among the strongest in the tournament and there will be many packs the Stormers will dominate and yet I still can’t see them maximising scoring opportunities. I base this assessment on their tournament history in the last three years.
The mindset of head coach Allister Coetzee is too defensively orientated and the Stormers play with no risk and rely on defence to win matches. It has been a proven formula over a three year period in which they have won 80 percent of their league matches, but they’ve bombed in play-off matches when asked to show more than a defensive mindset.
Super Rugby is not Test rugby. Super Rugby requires more imagination than just making tackles.
The Stormers certainly have the players with the necessary attacking skill and where I disagree with Nel is that the pack is good enough. There have been occasions in the last three years when the Stormers have taken a more attacking approach into a game and scored tries but it has naturally resulted in them leaking more tries. One such occasion was against the Cheetahs and immediately there was criticism of their defence, and within a week the side reverted to type.
A side that places a premium on attack is going to be vulnerable to conceding more tries, but a side that only relies on defence can rarely sustain the defensive effort over a six month period.
Western Province, in the Currie Cup, played with more balance in attack and defence, but the quality of opposition was inferior the best sides in Super Rugby. What has impressed me about the Blues is the attack is not compromised by a desire to defend. It is possible to do both.
Coetzee and his predecessor Rassie Erasmus have restored credibility to Stormers rugby and they are no longer the soft touch or the show ponies of a decade ago, but there is a difference to fixing a side and turning them into champions. The Stormers are no longer the pretty boys of South African rugby, but they are now the most boring side in the tournament, the most predictable and the most pedestrian on attack.
There are fantastic individuals and the quality of player makes for a squad among the top five in the tournament. But the conservative mindset is doing the players a disservice. Watching the Stormers play is like watching Heyneke Meyer’s Boks on the end of year tour. Or like watching white paint dry on a white wall.
It doesn’t make for pleasant viewing and while Meyer will always be able to convince many that Test rugby is a different beast and that it is only about the result, Super Rugby requires a more liberal approach in which no team can win every weekend, so a win at all defensive costs mindset isn’t a winning formula on the field. It won’t seduce supporters either or fool them.
The Stormers will win the majority of their home matches and they will be miserly on defence away from home, but never in the last three years have I ever felt this was a team that would prove masters in the play-offs and I think it has to do with the approach of a coaching staff who play not to lose instead of playing to win with substance and style.
The Stormers are a side that won’t easily finish outside the top six but they are also a side that doesn’t inspire visions of winning the tournament and frankly, outside of 1999 when they played magnificent rugby and I thought they would win, I’ve never been convinced of them as champions.
They are a good side but to win this tournament you have to be very good, in attack and on defence.
463 Comments
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5 Mar 2013, 16:34 pm
@pompies2-296: yeah, looking forward to the game… am dying to see the teamsheets
out now, cheers..
5 Mar 2013, 16:34 pm
@the curse-268:
That is funny. Explains all the constant references to h o m o s e xuality and his need to explain that he only enjoys females etc.
Take the plunge and step out HG.
5 Mar 2013, 16:34 pm
@the curse-289: Not a victim at all Poops… Just pointing out the hypocrisy…
I have no problem what you call Banshee… Fark, I call her Banshee… Got no problem with Manshe either (would prefer Manshee though, sounds funnier)….
You know why… Because I know that if I give it I must take it… I separate the bulldust from this site from the life of HG proper…
Keo is my own personal little humour tool… And you were one source of much humour to me until I realised that stuff on here truly effects your emotional and mental stability…
So I disengaged with you for a long time… Until now… But will do again, for your own good…
(But always know… that you always have a little bit of HG in you… From that…
One night in Bangkok
)
5 Mar 2013, 16:35 pm
Never been a fan of Toetie or of the defensive game plan and I never will. What I will bet is that the Stormers – limited as they are at the moment – will end up in the play offs. The Sharks got the better in the scrums against the Stormers. That was the difference on the scoreboard. The Sharks showed even less ambition than the Stormers in some areas but those effing unforced errors killed us. So I’m not really too worried now but yes I yearn for the days of WP/Stormers running rugby!
5 Mar 2013, 16:35 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-294: Humping vs Facesitting… Comparable, no?
5 Mar 2013, 16:36 pm
@pompies2-296: Well summed up Pompies but given the last couple of week’s games, I think the Chiefs will sneak this one exactly on what you mentoined there.
5 Mar 2013, 16:37 pm
WTF is going on around here. It;s like a freakshow in here……….sies bliksem man!!
5 Mar 2013, 16:37 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-278:
It’s quite common practice here.
Your lapdog wannabecapo is a pro at it.
5 Mar 2013, 16:39 pm
@Heavens Game-281:
Don’t fight with Dilli!
You both shorks!
5 Mar 2013, 16:40 pm
“The Stormers are no longer the pretty boys of South African rugby, but they are now the most boring side in the tournament, the most predictable and the most pedestrian on attack”
Thats a size twelve Adidas plakkie right on the left nut of AC, and to think he was punted for the Bok coach job……….scary thought.
5 Mar 2013, 16:41 pm
@the curse-297: No worries, Poops… Please make sure no more personal “tragedy” or “injury” happens…
- like a “death” in the family
- or an arm “problem”
- and so on
- and so forth
Sheesh.. cant be good for so much “bad stuff” to happen to one poor Keoling soul … Just to get sympathy from anonymous bloggers on Keo…
5 Mar 2013, 16:41 pm
HG at 300
little being the operative word huh?
the only thing ever has been your constant attacks on my mum. anything else doesn’t worry me
think of that next time instead of thinking about wanting to give me a reach around my little Thai flower
really gone now.
5 Mar 2013, 16:43 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-304:
5 Mar 2013, 16:43 pm
@Stawm-299: I thought it was a damn fine story, Stawmy…
Even you think it funny, yeah?
5 Mar 2013, 16:44 pm
@Heavens Game-302: Lower…….. C’mon. You CAN do it?
You know I like you….
5 Mar 2013, 16:45 pm
What’s all this “yeah” business
5 Mar 2013, 16:46 pm
@the curse-309: Boo hoo… sniff sniff… Dont let your good arm get stuck up yourbum now….
The other is “injured” already…
That means you cant type – which means no more Keo for a while…
You need to plan these sympathy “tragedies” or “injuries” or else more Keo fools will see through your little game than need to know
5 Mar 2013, 16:48 pm
@nama1-206:
ok, i will post it later
@NZINCHINA-208:
nobody dices and slices the Bulls, China
you might beat us on the scoreboard
but you wont beat us where it matters
@the curse-209:
glad to be service….
just chewing the facts, that’s all
5 Mar 2013, 16:49 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-312: Toesucking feetfetish low enough….? Ag, no Doggy… not even I go there…
Gwamjam over Toejam anyday….
Farkit, you sleazy wench, you…
Eish… Dont touch me….
5 Mar 2013, 16:49 pm
@Heavens Game-314: Hope it are not de hand he ‘klaps a draattie’ wif
5 Mar 2013, 16:52 pm
@KWAGGA ROBERTSE-317: Lol… If no hands…. there’s always sheep as a possibility with our Kiwi Rugga Cuzzies….
Baa-ah-ah-aaaa…. Look… No hands needed
5 Mar 2013, 16:53 pm
@the curse-165:
Ha ha
Problem was, when HG heard the word job he lost interest
5 Mar 2013, 16:55 pm
@Heavens Game-311: The difference is: we’re laughing at you, not with you
5 Mar 2013, 16:57 pm
@Heavens Game-311:
Cant argue with facts!
5 Mar 2013, 16:58 pm
@the curse-309: Cheers Pops. (If you feel something on your calf…..kick it away. HG’s idea of foreplay it seems. He gets shaken off easily though – one sharp kick out should do it.)
5 Mar 2013, 16:59 pm
@Heavens Game-314: So HG you walked backward through revolving door to Bangkok?
5 Mar 2013, 17:00 pm
@Heavens Game-318: And tell us whats happening with the Queens this weekend??
5 Mar 2013, 17:01 pm
Outta here.
Cheers all
5 Mar 2013, 17:04 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-320: Excellent… As long as I put someback for what I get out… And I get out one helluva lot…
For instance, the gift that keeps on giving – how will I ever repay the larfs I have every day during rugga season about the absolute Emo Brokeback weekly roller coaster….
Its only week three and I cant keep up already… I am forever indebted larfs wise…
5 Mar 2013, 17:06 pm
Over and out… You farkers have distracted me…
Banshee gonna moerme for being late…
5 Mar 2013, 17:27 pm
@Heavens Game-327:
She’ll probably have the strap-on out.
You’ll need to take your doughnut cushion to work tomorrow.
5 Mar 2013, 17:50 pm
@324 Tyrone
Why dont YOU tell us? You sound like a laitie begging for a bedtime story.
5 Mar 2013, 17:51 pm
@gunther-328: Nooit – I come on here and the first thing I read is strap-on and doughnut cushion…..wtf ?
5 Mar 2013, 17:54 pm
@Rage-329: listen kid, FO back to your hole, inbred twat
5 Mar 2013, 17:55 pm
@Rage-329: Vokkenmoffie
5 Mar 2013, 17:55 pm
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-324: I am afraid for the Kings that I think a rather big reality call is coming up for them this weekend.
The Sharks will pick a full strength team. Everyone is surprised by their win over the Force, and nobody is prepared to take a chance on them so they are going to meet a few starting 15s in these next few games which could get very interesting for them.
5 Mar 2013, 18:00 pm
@Rage-329: Is your sister’s name Nitisha, Shemigra, Beaudine, Shonice or Beyonce ?
5 Mar 2013, 18:08 pm
Tyrone
I saw your post on news24 where you “predicted” what’s gonna happen to the Kings…why do you take offence when I ask you to repost your views here? I mean I did not even say you ARE a laitie…I just used a simile.
You needs to chill man and sommer stop tugging at HG’s onderrok.
5 Mar 2013, 18:14 pm
@Rage-335: Are you a Kings fan ? What do you think is going to happen to the Kings this weekend ? One thing I know of for sure is that they are playing against the Sharks. A team widely punted to play in the final again this year.
You feeling confident the Kings stand a chance ?
5 Mar 2013, 18:26 pm
@ 336 Dusky
Sharks to win handsomely.
I asked your pal to share his views with us..thats it,nothing more,nothing less….who are you anyway, The Barry Roux to Tyrone’s Oscar?
5 Mar 2013, 18:27 pm
@Rage-335: I don;t post on news 24 yopu idiot. now piss off and go seek attention by your buddies.
5 Mar 2013, 18:31 pm
@Dusky-333: Boet, it might be so but you know the Kings will come out all blazing, I do not believe we should lose as they just started, but I am not so sure about a huge score against them, Of course i could be wrong.
The Sharks just have this habbit of not going for the jugular when it comes to the minnows. The Bulls for example would want to put 80 past them or other weaker teams. this is the one thing about the Sharks that have always concerned me
5 Mar 2013, 18:35 pm
@Rage-335: I am chilled and i don’t hang onto anyone, he happens to be a fellow Sharks suporter, and from what i see daily?? the Kak he dishes out in here is mostly justified, Of course you would not agree as you agree with what you Stormer mates dish out as you do. Do you see me accusing you of hanging onto the likes of capo’s and Skops @sshairs?? nope so if you want a decent response from me adrees me with respect and you will find me accomodating as some other WP supporters do.
And my name is not Tyrone, if you want to speak to him go to R-T
5 Mar 2013, 18:51 pm
Tyrone why are you so rude? I want to be your friend,my friend.
5 Mar 2013, 18:55 pm
I’m a bit worried about our rugby at the moment.
So far only the Cheetahs have met a serious match, and they lost by 42 points.
Sharks, Bulls and Stormers have basically played each other, Kings played one of the weaker Aus sides.
And this is not knocking the Sharks or Bulls, they both have 2 wins from 2 which is great for them, but I don’t think either side has been tested. Stormers are really poor so I don’t think people must read too much in those wins, Force and Cheetahs are also rans as well.
Sharks will be three from 3 after Saturday, but will still not have met a serious test.
Bulls are going to be tested the first time on Sunday, will be interesting to see how they go.
5 Mar 2013, 20:04 pm
@Rage-337:
Just pulling your leg.
The Sharks wont be taking the Kings lightly. Should be a very interesting game to put the Kings into perspective in this competition. There is a lot to be said about the ‘never say die’ attitude that they displayed against the Force.
They will also be thinking that this could be an opportunity for them to make the biggest statement in Super rugby history probably so they will come out to play without a doubt.
Sharks should win by all accounts but it probably wont be a record score. That game against the Force really doesn’t measure anything for the Kings. First away game of the season for the Force and I think even the biggest Kings fan has to admit the Force played fairly poorly on the day. Of course, the element that puts the Kings win into further consideration is that the Force actually gave the Bulls a run for their money.
Should be interesting.
5 Mar 2013, 20:11 pm
@nortierd-342: I think one could say this is a common trait of the South African teams. We often bumble through the first few games with the competitive SA sides gaining momentum as the tournament wears on. If we look at 2007, the Bulls had some very indifferent games that season – had to put a record score on the Reds to get a home semi-final, and then ended up winning the whole thing.
Then we have the Stormers, winning two SA conferences in a row and falling apart in the semi-final both years.
I wouldn’t say it is a blistering start and I get your point about the mediocrity of performances so far. We would have to wait and see what happens further on down the line though. It is really too difficult to base predictions on the first few games.
I do get the feeling that the Sharks have more to offer. I hope they ‘click’ soon. There are some tough games to come.
I am a bit worried about the Stormers though. The pressure of losing your two opening matches and then facing the formidable Chiefs team as it currently is, is a massive hill to climb.
5 Mar 2013, 20:16 pm
@Rage-335: haha! I see you are having fun with old Tyrone . There are two tyrone’s on news24,so don’t get confused now .they are both sharks supporters,but the thing on here is called Tyrone Jacoby.
. Admittedly this thing haven’t been posting on news24 for a while now. 
5 Mar 2013, 20:21 pm
@Dusky-344:
Yes Dusky, the Sharks showed that last year, but we mustn’t forget that even though they ended playing great rugby, they first went and lost against a poor Lions side who could hardly buy a win at that stage.
Then when their backs were truly against the wall did the Sharks wake up.
But it was too late and they had too much to do with all the travel.
It’s just strange that our teams, whether Super Rugby or Boks seem to thrive on being underdogs and back against the wall.
I wish we could learn from our cricket side and if you are the best show it with swagger and smash the opposition.
Of course I’m referring to tests and not T20 side
5 Mar 2013, 20:23 pm
Seems like all the Stormers supporters have thrown in the towel.
Fark man its a long season and the Crusaders have proven in the past that when it comes to Super rugby success you have to hit your straps towards the 2nd half of the competition.
De Jong, Schalk and Etzebeth will make a massive difference.
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