[2015 Super Rugby] Stormers vs. Chiefs (Round 5) 14/03/2015

[TRF_heineken]

Newlands, Cape Town

15:00 CAT, (SA, GMT+2)​

Teams:

Stormers:

15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Alistair Vermaak, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Ruan Botha, 20. Schalk Burger, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Demetri Catrakilis, 23. Huw Jones

Chiefs:

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Jamie Mackintosh, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Tom Marshall.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm backing the Stormers here. It's not going to be easy but its at home so I think our boys can do it seeing as traditionally this fixture has gone to the home team (apart from 2010 when the Stormers smashed the Chiefs 15-49 in Hamilton ).

 

[Gena_ZA]

I'm with you, why should this golden start come to an end

 

[Shaggy]

I might wait until I see the teams named before I pick this one, besides, I don't want to tip any of you guys off who are in the same picking comps that I'm in

... I'm a bit worried that the Chiefs have lost Charlie Ngatai (out for 6 to 8 weeks with a high level ankle sprain), as he has been the consistent performer in the Chiefs midfield and seems to have provided their back line with the direction it needs ,

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'm sure the Chiefs will have a good replacement for Ngatai even if he seemed in some form. Tamanivula, TNW, Horrell.. all solid options. I just hope SBW has the same sort of uninvolved game he had against the Highlanders. He is something of an idol over here especially in the muslim communities. I am excited about him and De Allende facing off.

The man I am afraid of is Lowe. With our 1st choice wingers both out Lleyds has been solid but I am not convinced about Kotze on the other side. I rate Van Wyk and he might be starting this week but there is always a question mark over a guy just back from injury.

Etzebeth is a doubt for this week with another knock aggevating his previous injury but Botha is set to be ready again.. will we see Etzebeth and Botha in the same run on team this season? I hope so. Rhodes won't be gambled, not with Kolisi, Vermeulen, Burger and Carr all fit. I expect we'll start rotating the backrow when he is 100% though. Vermeulen has been playing non-stop for both the Stormers and Bokke for a few years now- it's incredible he has managed to keep his workrate and effectiveness at the level he has for so long. I'm not too fussed over the pack as the stand ins have stepped up when needing too and have even put pressure on the incumbents to have to wrestle their jerseys back. I'll be interested to see if our scrum dominance continues.

 

[Shaggy]

I'm sure the Chiefs will have a good replacement for Ngatai even if he seemed in some form. Tamanivula, TNW, Horrell.. all solid options. I just hope SBW has the same sort of uninvolved game he had against the Highlanders. He is something of an idol over here especially in the muslim communities. I am excited about him and De Allende facing off.

The man I am afraid of is Lowe. With our 1st choice wingers both out Lleyds has been solid but I am not convinced about Kotze on the other side. I rate Van Wyk and he might be starting this week but there is always a question mark over a guy just back from injury.

Etzebeth is a doubt for this week with another knock aggevating his previous injury but Botha is set to be ready again.. will we see Etzebeth and Botha in the same run on team this season? I hope so. Rhodes won't be gambled, not with Kolisi, Vermeulen, Burger and Carr all fit. I expect we'll start rotating the backrow when he is 100% though. Vermeulen has been playing non-stop for both the Stormers and Bokke for a few years now- it's incredible he has managed to keep his workrate and effectiveness at the level he has for so long. I'm not too fussed over the pack as the stand ins have stepped up when needing too and have even put pressure on the incumbents to have to wrestle their jerseys back. I'll be interested to see if our scrum dominance continues.

The Chiefs do have quality midfield options, but even the likes of Horrell admits he wasn't up to scratch in the last match. From a purely self centred point of view, I'd like to see Tamanivula get a run, but whether they'll go for two big guys in the midfield, and whether they'll risk relying on Cruden as the sole starting goal kicking option, is debatable. The set piece should be interesting - I think the Chiefs will really miss Retallick in these big games.

... I know your really worried about James Lowe's tackling style , I'd like to see Hosea Gear get another opportunity, but I think they'll go with Bryce Heem after Gears performance again the Highlanders

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I might wait until I see the teams named before I pick this one, besides, I don't want to tip any of you guys off who are in the same picking comps that I'm in

... I'm a bit worried that the Chiefs have lost Charlie Ngatai (out for 6 to 8 weeks with a high level ankle sprain), as he has been the consistent performer in the Chiefs midfield and seems to have provided their back line with the direction it needs ,

Isn't it funny that in a backline containing no less than four All Blacks it's the loss of Charlie Ngatai that we're worried about!

I can't imagine we'll see too many changes to the lineup. With so many good players available it's hard to pick who Rennie will opt for in the midfield and on the wing. I get the feeling Horrell will retain his sport at centre - it was his first game back after being out with a minor injury, and it's not like the rest of the backline were much better.

A bit much has been made of Pulu butchering try scoring opportunities (in the media, at least), I don't think he had that bad a game. That being said I would not be disappointed to see Weber back starting. Against the South African teams Pulu is possibly the better option, however.

The Chiefs forwards were solid against the Highlanders, I can't see much point in changing them up at all.

The Chiefs have had a very good record against South African teams whilst under Rennie's reign. The stats read P13, W10, L1, D2 with 12BP. That's incredible. Hopefully they maintain that record this week (and ideally they won't draw the match in the last minute like their two games last year in SA )

 

[SomeOke]

It's going to be a tough match I'm super psyched!
Once again I feel the Stormers are outmatched on paper but I have felt that for most of the Stormers matches this season.

What we lack in big names we make up for in a very impressive bunch of hungry youths.
Unfortunately I still think our half-back pairing lets us down Catrakilis is a decent kicker both out of hand and off the tee but not a phenomenal one, especially in terms of distance, and other than that he offers very little. Also our wings are very inexperienced which could be taken advantage of defensively or under the high ball, and Kolbe still has to do a little bit more for me to prove he's up to Super Rugby level.

That said I'd back our pack at the moment against just about any other pack in the competition despite it's relative youth.
My head says the Chiefs will take it but my heart says we've got this.

 

[Shaggy]

It's going to be a tough match I'm super psyched!
Once again I feel the Stormers are outmatched on paper but I have felt that for most of the Stormers matches this season.

What we lack in big names we make up for in a very impressive bunch of hungry youths.
Unfortunately I still think our half-back pairing lets us down Catrakilis is a decent kicker both out of hand and off the tee but not a phenomenal one, especially in terms of distance, and other than that he offers very little. Also our wings are very inexperienced which could be taken advantage of defensively or under the high ball, and Kolbe still has to do a little bit more for me to prove he's up to Super Rugby level.

That said I'd back our pack at the moment against just about any other pack in the competition despite it's relative youth.
My head says the Chiefs will take it but my heart says we've got this.

... Yes well Catrakilis is no Bernard Foley is he ... seriously though, heart says Chiefs, head say Stormers

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

You've summed up the feelings of every Stormers supporter, @SomeOke. The thing about the pack is we have depth now and our rookies all have had the benefit of a year in SR and the Currie Cup play-offs I'd say is right at SR level as well. Just last year we were struggling without Malherbe. Now Malherbe is struggling to get game time behind Koch. At lock we suddenly are well stocked with Botha and Kleyn having made their mark in last year's CC, there is Etzebeth and Carizza probably being the incumbants as test players (though I'd have Carizza only as depth cover) and JD Shickerling is a quality youth prospect (even if his out with long term injury ATM). Burger, Vermeulen, Kolisi and Carr all Bok loosies and Elstadt and Rhodes quality utility forwards.

Groom has come on well and Cat is Cat. Solid and dependable but won't be taking games by the scruff of their necks himself. He is a good tactical kicker but doesn't have much distance so might be outplayed for territory because of a lack of range rather than accuracy in his kicking. I agree this is our achilles heel.

I'm not really concerned about us from 11 onwards apart from Kotze at 14. De Allende is a Bok replacing a Bok with JdV (who is supposedly making good progress in recovering) out, Lleyds has taken his chances in open play, has a 100% tackle success rate on the wing and has the benefit of being a 2nd fullback for us taking the pressure off Kolbe. I am not convinced by Kotze but Van Wyk should be back soon, maybe even for this match. Kolbe is doing fine IMO. Yes, he hasn't set the world alight like in the CC but the games were mre open and he had the benefit of playing alongside Aplon and Senatla. Senatla will be back. Taute is also waiting in the wings to return from injury. The season is long still. It's not like Kolbe has been poor. He has played well positionally and though he hasn't been asked to make a ton of tackles he has made all 100% of his tackles while Ben smith as an example is at 76.9%. ITO conceding posession Kolbe has done so 3 times in 4 games (3/4 game) while the SANZAR countries' encumbants are worse off at 8/3 for Le Roux (almost 3 times a game- unacceptable!), Folau at 6/3 and Ben Smith is less error prone of the three at 3/3 but that is in one less game than Kolbe. Kolbe has made 4 clean breaks and beaten 10 defenders; that is double and more than triple than Ben Smith (admittedly in one more game). So, just to illustrate, he is comparing favorably to probably the game's best 15. Both are being marked as danger men and Kolbe is still finding his feet so to speak so I fully expect an upward curve with more experience and more expererienced players coming in later on to support him at the back. This speak of moving him to 9 is intruiging but won't happen and rightly so. Yes, Steyn nailed him 3 times but all three times was without the ball. That is more of an enditement on Steyn than Kolbe. If he passes the Chiefs test (which I'm sure he'll do) I hope this putting him down in the media will stop.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Stormers team named and OP updated:

15. Cheslin Kolbe, 14. Kobus van Wyk, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Dillyn Leyds, 10. Kurt Coleman, 9. Louis Schreuder, 8. Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7. Siya Kolisi, 6. Nizaam Carr, 5. Manuel Carizza, 4. Jean Kleyn, 3. Vincent Koch, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16. Neil Rautenbach, 17. Alistair Vermaak, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Ruan Botha, 20. Schalk Burger, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Demetri Catrakilis, 23. Huw Jones

I'm glad to see Van Wyk there. I am sure he wouldn't be named if not at 100% so I am expecting more physicality from us on his wing and in supporting Kolbe- possibly he'll have to cover Gear? so I am very glad actually.

Cottie resting Etzebeth is probably god as he isn't 100% yet and Kleyn and Botha are more than able to contribute in what I expect to be a tight ugly affair. I'm just hoping Carizza's discipline doesn't hurt us but I expect he'll only play ~40/50 minutes.

The option of rather starting Schreuder and Coleman is an interesting one... certainly it means we'll be looking to play a more measured game and rely on the distance both these players have in their kicking games and in so doing trust our set piece (which I do- despite Etzebeth out does weaken our line-out somewhat.. no, considerably). I just don't know whether changing tact from what has been working for us is the right way to go about it. I suppose we do have Groom and Cat on the bench if needed but we are not a team that like to chase games (we barely managed to do so against the Lions.. I expect the Chiefs will be harder to chase down if it comes to it).

That said I am still quietly confident and really looking forward to the game and the lekker sub-plots; De Allende vs SBW and Vermeulen vs Messam the more obvious ones.

Also I am interested to see if Jaco Peyper can keep up what I felt has been good ref performances by him this year. If he can keep it up there's no reason he shouldn't be officiating a RWC semi (the only will be the final will have the Bokke so..) IMO.

 

[Shaggy]

Chiefs named (http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3824_36653,00.html)

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Jamie Mackintosh, 19 Michael Allardice, 20 Maama Vaipulu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Tom Marshall.


Just a few changes - Michael Leitch makes his debut for the Chiefs at No.8, Damian McKenzie at Full Back (probably to cover Cruden in the goal kicking department), Bryce Heem on the right wing (Gear was a little bit ineffective last week), Brad Weber at Half Back (the back line may be better serviced with change), TNW (most were picking Horrell to be retained)

 

[SomeOke]

Changes are interesting for the Stormers, I've wanted Coleman to get more of a shot for a while now as he does have the more dynamic running game and could do more to unleash our dangerous centres than Catrakilis has been doing. As Stormer mentioned Shreuder is likely in the side to make up for a potential tactical kicking deficit.

As for the Chiefs TNW in for Nagati is hardly a loss and I've thought McKenzie was brilliant since I saw him in the JWC, its a tough side but it is beatable. It may just be bias but I feel like this is the game of the weekend, pity we have to wait so long! At least I'll get my rugby fix soon.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I'm backing my boys (off course) let's smash those Stormers.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs open the scoreboard.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Try Cruden!!!! Go boys.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Chiefs doing well with the Stormers not able to execute accurately in general play. The thing about the Chiefs that impresses me most is their handle on the finer points be it in running off of the ball carrier or clever technical play at the breakdowns/kick offs/mauls etc.

I get the feeling we are only in the game due to our superior set pieces. Chiefs are actually very lucky to still be XV men IMO what with Leitch twice reaching in and pulling the ball out of a demolished scrum illegally and the Chiefs in general really playing to the fringes of the law at the breakdown- I've felt more than once they have gone past the ruck, come in just off the side or simply in no way have stayed on their feet.

Brilliantly balanced game though. Both of De Allende and SBW have been superb so far as billed. Koch my MotM though.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Try Lowe, Chiefs are back.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Try Cane!!! 10 min to go. It might be in the pocket

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

That's just intellegence and execution from the Chiefs. When the Koch and Kitshoff went off I had a feeling that was game but we shouldn't rely on the scrum alone and the Stormers' lack of tactical nouse at 9/10/15 shown up big time here. I think any other team would have taken a sizable lead at 40 with the dominance up front we had.