Stormers sneak thriller
9 Mar 2013
The Stormers dramatically beat the Chiefs 36-34 at Newlands.
The win was vital for the Stormers who lost their first two matches and tournament champions the Chiefs will have the comfort of two bonus points, even if they will feel aggrieved at not having being awarded a kickable penalty with the final play of the game.
It was an unfortunate end to a wonderful contest in which both teams played with enterprise and conviction. The Chiefs were the more cynical and lost two players to to the sin bin for professional fouls.
The Stormers, disappointing against the Bulls and dour against the Sharks, finally produced a performance balanced in defence and attack.
Gio Aplon scored twice and Nic Groom finished off a sustained period of Stormers attack to take the Stormers past 30 points, but it needed a fifth Joe Pietesen penalty to give the Stormers a two score cushion in the final 10 minutes.
The Chiefs were outstanding in their attack variation and flyhalf Aaron Cruden unlocked the Stormers defence with astute grubber kicks. Two such kicks resulted in tries but another misfired and the Stormers scored through Aplon.
Stormers No 8 Duane Vermeulen was aggressive and determined as the home forwards fronted the physicality of the Chiefs. Siya Kolisi and Andries Bekker were equally prominent and with the pack playing with early momentum the Stormers halfbacks of Groom and Elton Jantjies played with authority. It was disappointing that both were substituted within an hour.
The Chiefs are a quality side and even on a day in which their discipline was dubious and there was no sustained fluency to their attack they could have scored a bonus point win.
There will be discussion about Pyper’s refereeing and the Chiefs will make an argument that the home team got favourable decisions, but that’s par for the course in this competition. Pyper was not the reason the Stormers won and he wasn’t the reason the Chiefs lost.
The neutral would have settled on a draw because of the entertainment value, but in the context of South Africa’s tournament challenge the home team will know it was imperative the spectacle ended with a win.
And fullback Joe Pietersen’s unerring boot, in kicking eight from eight, made the win possible, if only just.
By Mark Keohane
471 Comments
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9 Mar 2013, 18:38 pm
@polaris-148:
So her red speedo wearing mangina strutting drama queen fallout was for nothing.
9 Mar 2013, 18:39 pm
Good decision to go for posts.
@hendrikp-145: We’re getting a good balance between attack and defence today against such a quality attack.
9 Mar 2013, 18:39 pm
@W.P-150:
Calling it straight down the middle.
9 Mar 2013, 18:39 pm
@kaksioek-149: Nope, it’s about poor Grant. As for me, I have never been Stormers supporter – good on them anyway for nice playing.
9 Mar 2013, 18:39 pm
@polaris-148: Long may he stay away from Newlands if this is what we produce
Grannntttt, where are you my man?
9 Mar 2013, 18:40 pm
OMG the Stormers are on the verge og scoring 4 tries for the first time in about 2 years!
They have played well.
9 Mar 2013, 18:40 pm
***** how the Chiefs are obstructing.
9 Mar 2013, 18:42 pm
Chiefs forwards not in it today.
9 Mar 2013, 18:42 pm
@ShaunB-156:
Kings Park will be empty on the stands now,most people will be on the outfields having a braai.
9 Mar 2013, 18:44 pm
Is there a game at kings park
9 Mar 2013, 18:45 pm
@W.P-150: Fern, Skop, Sharks will bite you, Bakkies’ lover and Hondo are major conspiracy theorists. They’re not into reality.
9 Mar 2013, 18:46 pm
@Fern-159:
My bad,it is not a home game.
9 Mar 2013, 18:46 pm
One noticeable difference in Kolisi’s game has been his carrying this season. He’s fast becoming the complete package.
9 Mar 2013, 18:47 pm
I guess that knock-on was Elton’s fault.
9 Mar 2013, 18:52 pm
Well worked BP try.
9 Mar 2013, 18:52 pm
great try
9 Mar 2013, 18:53 pm
S’s attacking play has lost its edge since Elton went off.
Nice try Chiefs.
9 Mar 2013, 18:53 pm
Can the Stormers hold out here against these Chiefs? What’s happening with their defence? This must be the first time they’ve conceded 4 tries in a LONG time.
9 Mar 2013, 18:54 pm
It is squeaky bum time.
9 Mar 2013, 18:54 pm
Fark Chiefs score. What a game though! C’mon Stormers!!!!!!!!!
9 Mar 2013, 18:54 pm
Let Peter Grant have this shot at goal PLEASE!
9 Mar 2013, 18:54 pm
@mikeybrass-167: Un-possible. Elton is a mercenary double agent who has been holding the Stormers back – Skop told us.
9 Mar 2013, 18:55 pm
@hendrikp-171:
And they go for touch. Wow.
9 Mar 2013, 18:56 pm
chiefs are deadly on the counter
peyper sealing his mom award with that yellow.
9 Mar 2013, 18:56 pm
Poep, wherever you are…
Peyper is onto you cheaters.
9 Mar 2013, 18:57 pm
@I am a stormer-169:
typical bent stormers supporter comment
9 Mar 2013, 18:57 pm
Peyper is a legend.
9 Mar 2013, 18:57 pm
@kaksioek-172: Stormers finally adjusted their patterns to accommodate Elton and it paid dividend.
9 Mar 2013, 18:58 pm
@Fern-176: Stop paying attention to his bum, you bum.
9 Mar 2013, 19:00 pm
Peyper doing his best to end the contest
shame
9 Mar 2013, 19:00 pm
Come on Stormers. One more try.
Need to maul it here.
9 Mar 2013, 19:01 pm
Peyper got Bakkies’ memo. This could be a game-changer.
9 Mar 2013, 19:02 pm
@the curse-180:
By refereeing a game fairly for a change? Chiefs lucky to only get 2 cards in this game.
Stormers still in trouble here.
9 Mar 2013, 19:02 pm
@the curse-180: Do you disagree that Brodie was offside at the maul?
9 Mar 2013, 19:03 pm
Danger…
9 Mar 2013, 19:04 pm
Thank fark.
9 Mar 2013, 19:04 pm
hometown decision
was need on hi feet
cheating filthy scum saffa ref
9 Mar 2013, 19:05 pm
YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
9 Mar 2013, 19:05 pm
Off to the Sharks thread and some real rugby.
9 Mar 2013, 19:05 pm
Stormers!!!!
I had the Stormers by ….. TWO!
9 Mar 2013, 19:05 pm
That was entry from the side ref. Let’s be fair about that call. BS call.
9 Mar 2013, 19:06 pm
Well done Stormers.
9 Mar 2013, 19:06 pm
What a spectacle of a game of rugby. Why can’t it be played like that most of the time?
9 Mar 2013, 19:06 pm
Why was Messam furious at the last decision of the ref. Nobody was on their feet at the ruck and yet the ball magically pops out of the ruck on the Chiefs side. Geez these NZ teams really niggle around @ ruck and maul time.
9 Mar 2013, 19:06 pm
congrats stormers fans
some strange decisions though
who paid the peyper indeed.
9 Mar 2013, 19:07 pm
@the curse-187:
You’re blind then.
I’d be more concerned that he came in from the side more then anything… but then was it a ruck? Probably not.
9 Mar 2013, 19:07 pm
Next time keep Jantjies on the field for longer, AC. Grant brought nothing and neither did DD.
9 Mar 2013, 19:07 pm
Fark.
Congrats, Stormers, held on. On a bright side still no bonus point for them and 2 bagged for chieftains.
The most entertaining game played in SA this season, cudos to both teams.
9 Mar 2013, 19:07 pm
Well Stormers. Job done.
And plaudits to the Chiefs. It was an enterprising game to watch.
Pity the Stormers didn’t get their 4th try but right now the win was more important.
9 Mar 2013, 19:07 pm
@W.P-194: Furious they couldn’t steal victory with their usual cheating
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