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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6 Mar 2013, 09:31 am
I wish the Stormers well.
Except vs the Sharks.
Oh, and except vs the Kings….brokebacks would never live ot down if their new 2nd team beats them
6 Mar 2013, 09:31 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-392: The Grunting Skittlestick loving Captain of Industry getting a bit too Stormerish for my liking
Have to get Capo back to give him a good sticky wicket again…
6 Mar 2013, 09:31 am
@NZINCHINA-397:
You are Dr Know.
6 Mar 2013, 09:31 am
@NZINCHINA-397: True, Both Stormers and Bulls have extremely tough matches this weekend, Stormers though can win, Bulls?? cannot see them beating the Blues there.
6 Mar 2013, 09:33 am
@Heavens Game-399:
6 Mar 2013, 09:33 am
@Heavens Game-399:
Indeed where is the Spaniard?
6 Mar 2013, 09:35 am
@gunther-403: He prolly at his Poodle Parlor having his hairdo.
6 Mar 2013, 09:36 am
HG found a young girl from Chaing Mai
and was fooled by the look in her eye
for her real name was Billy, and HG felt silly
when he saw she had a bigger willy.
6 Mar 2013, 09:37 am
@gunther-400:
My hairdresser in China is called ‘no no’
6 Mar 2013, 09:38 am
@gunther-403: Giving Mavis a Golden Shower wake up in Grunter’s “King Size” bed….
6 Mar 2013, 09:41 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-401:
Yip I think the Bulls are going to get soundly beaten, their upright forwards are going to get turned over and the brown brothers will do the rest out wide,the Stormers at home are pretty hard to beat but the Chiefs coaching staff are superb the plan will be in place and if executed by the players correctly the Chiefs will win comfortably.
6 Mar 2013, 09:42 am
@NZINCHINA-406: So if she asks if you want your hair cut you say ” yes yes” ?
6 Mar 2013, 09:44 am
@Dilligafrican-405:
Hehe
Dilli lays claim to Shark support
But his oversized wide open port
Gives lie to the terrible, shameful fact
That he’s anything but a fem Brokeback
And not a Bananaboy of any sort
6 Mar 2013, 09:45 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-387:
Read my post..I said I cant speak for them…but luckily you and HG don’t count…at least you know your rugby (well mostly) and support your team, and by your posts I know you guys love the kakpraat as well as the next. Bakkies, Skoppie, EPOL are in the same mould..but some come on here just to bait and rejoice at another teams loss…
@Heavens Game-388: I’m in Umhlanga at the moment..come tell me that in my face
But it will have to wait until after my dive..I will be at Point Underwater Club later..maybe a few beers if you are keen..you know we have to get pissed first before I fk you up 
@NZINCHINA-385: Yep, Stormers to win it this year
6 Mar 2013, 09:46 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-409:
Ha something like that
6 Mar 2013, 09:46 am
@NZINCHINA-408: Is that your “expert” opinion…
Eminence indeed…
6 Mar 2013, 09:47 am
@Golden Boy-411:
Let me know if the Zimbo shows his face
6 Mar 2013, 09:48 am
@Golden Boy-411: Point Underwater Club – a euphemism for the Rubber and Pissparlour – Thekwini’s premier S&M club?
Naah, will pass…
6 Mar 2013, 09:49 am
@NZINCHINA-414: You mean Rhodesian, surely?
Zimbo is far too PC…
6 Mar 2013, 09:50 am
@Golden Boy-411: I was not saying it was you either, just asked if it was any different?? as the majority in here are Stormer supporters and they do make the most noise.
6 Mar 2013, 09:50 am
@Heavens Game-413:
Why don’t we repost some of your expert analysis from last year, you know the ones where what said was going to happen but the complete opposite happened round after round. You spent hours on them, fark they were funny come Monday morning.
6 Mar 2013, 09:52 am
@Heavens Game-410:
That is so f.cking rich
you shagged a hebitch
an admission to all
that you liked playing ball
and loved having a pole on the pitch.
6 Mar 2013, 09:52 am
@Heavens Game-416:
what do Zimbos know about rugby anyway?
6 Mar 2013, 09:52 am
@Heavens Game-416: And did you notice the Stormers supporters in here reckon the kings will klap us this weekend and transformation said we gonna get moered
6 Mar 2013, 09:55 am
@NZINCHINA-418: Oh you mean where I actually put my Cockonablock and chose a side?
Instead of the ring a ring o rosies circlewanking on the sidelines….
I challenge you to find “where what said was going to happen but the complete opposite happened”…
Go find it “knowledgeable” sheepshagger…
Show me your “expertise” outside fanboy AIG All Black blind adulation without fuckall concern for the Game itself…
6 Mar 2013, 09:55 am
@Heavens Game-416: @Dilligafrican-419: Play nice you two, you are Sharkies ffs!!!
Take out the frustrations on the opponents.
6 Mar 2013, 09:55 am
@NZINCHINA-406:
That’s not ideal.
6 Mar 2013, 09:56 am
@NZINCHINA-414:
I think you got your answer in 415…hehehehe…
@Heavens Game-415: Thought that would be your favorite dive, they even have a couple of ladyboys over on a Thursday night . Right up you alley I believe
(Pun definitely intended!!!)
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-417: I was including the Stormers muppets as well…unfortunately there are mor/ons on both sides.
6 Mar 2013, 09:57 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-423: His “playing nice” sounds like it may have a cape influence
6 Mar 2013, 09:57 am
@Dilligafrican-419:
Yet Dilli bendsover
For another once over
From his Storming tops
Until on the floor he flops
His arsewhole looking rather RedRover
6 Mar 2013, 09:58 am
@Heavens Game-422:
The big long winded dribble you normal post, it was near the end of the super season you’d done your expert Zimbo analysis and the complete opposite happened, I’m sure plenty of others had the misfortune of reading it too but it was a great laugh on the Monday, I think you’d left for France at that stage.
6 Mar 2013, 10:00 am
NZinchina says to No NO…..
you want make fuckyfucky? she say No No
She say to Nzinchina…
You give me 100 Dorrar for fuckyfucky?, he say Yes Yes
She say then no no love you long time.
6 Mar 2013, 10:02 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-429:
No no is a man.
6 Mar 2013, 10:03 am
@NZINCHINA-430:
oh my lmfao
6 Mar 2013, 10:04 am
@NZINCHINA-430: That will teach you to have a G@y hairdresser lol jk mate
6 Mar 2013, 10:05 am
@Heavens Game-427:
its tiresome HG
like arguing with a kiwi
you’ve admitted for all to see
another man played with your weewee
now move along, this is boring me.
6 Mar 2013, 10:06 am
@NZINCHINA-420:
I’d ask Pocock, Beast and Skinstad that question, if I were you?
6 Mar 2013, 10:07 am
@Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-431:
Lol
@Dilligafrican-433:
You don’t enjoy arguing with us?
6 Mar 2013, 10:08 am
@David-434:
Fair call Zimbo’s like HG then.
6 Mar 2013, 10:14 am
@NZINCHINA-435: it can get tiring, especially with Poops
6 Mar 2013, 10:16 am
@Dilligafrican-437:
Very much depends on the current state of play though, nobody was sick of arguing with Kiwi’s in 09′, who you picking for this weekends big match ups?
6 Mar 2013, 10:20 am
you guys are snaaks today
6 Mar 2013, 10:21 am
@Golden Boy-425: But down on the Point they all Ladyboys… or Xhosa refugees aren’t they…
All the proper Gwam up in Hillcrest, Kloof and Durban North way…
You poor miserable git, farking around by the harbour…
6 Mar 2013, 10:22 am
@NZINCHINA-428: Come, show me the posts, NZSlinkychinky…
Back up your sheepshagging AB stargazing “opinion”… Surely you can, cant you?
Yes you can…
6 Mar 2013, 10:26 am
@Heavens Game-441:
Whilst I like KEOING finding archived posts is not my thing ( besides I don’t know how) you made a stupid comment about expert analysis something I’m certainly not and have never claimed to be, but the Bulls will get turned over in the tackle and the AKL backs will score some great tries.
6 Mar 2013, 10:26 am
@Dilligafrican-405: Oh dear. And this is the 1st post I see
Morning giggle – check.
6 Mar 2013, 10:27 am
@Dilligafrican-433:
No argument from me
Not even one to see
Despite the first shot fired
By PseudoShark Dilli hired
As a Brokeback trojan for free
6 Mar 2013, 10:28 am
@Heavens Game-422: Mitt Romney…………..
6 Mar 2013, 10:29 am
@NZINCHINA-442: So you cant put your cockonablock then…
Typical cowardly Pakeha sheepshagger…
Loved farken scaring the bejaysus out of you Poeftas… On field… and now off…
Poor farken sods…
6 Mar 2013, 10:30 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-445: Mitt Romney… Rugby?
Fark me you reaching, Fishpaste
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