Super Rugby: Stormers vs. Chiefs in Cape Town (09/03/2013)

[Darwin]

Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Some very tough matches for the Stormers to start off with and we seem to be on some kind of CC ***le hang-over or maybe it's just our 'stars' and the Lions' 'stars' actually dulling down what was a high performance WP CC squad. There doesn't seem to be the hunger, teamwork, distribution or intent that we saw in the CC and made WP/Stormers fans think this is the year. Hopefully they can turn it around as it'd be a big blow to lose our 1st game at home. Chiefs aren't going to make it easy..

 

[Gena_ZA]

Maybe we overrated the so called "Lions stars" as not a single one of them look better than our Vodacom Cup side players

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Maybe we overrated the so called "Lions stars" as not a single one of them look better than our Vodacom Cup side players

Ja. I'm starting to think along those lines as well; that they stood out in an underperforming Lions side and added to that I think the Lions' creation of space and up-tempo game helped create that perception. Shall we start to play like the Lions or force those players into the Stormers mold as it seems their inclusion doesn't have the desired effect and seems ad-hoc ATM rather than complementory.

Maybe I am just making too big a deal of it ATM as it's only week 2 and Jantjies has only had 2 games (with no warm-up matches!) and Taute and Cilliers each only 1 starting opportunity. I have to say Taute looked pretty classy at 15 in the warm-ups but what can one take from a drubbing of the Boland and a loss against the Cheetahs pre-season?!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Ja. I'm starting to think along those lines as well; that they stood out in an underperforming Lions side and added to that I think the Lions' creation of space and up-tempo game helped create that perception. Shall we start to play like the Lions or force those players into the Stormers mold as it seems their inclusion doesn't have the desired effect and seems ad-hoc ATM rather than complementory.

Maybe I am just making too big a deal of it ATM as it's only week 2 and Jantjies has only had 2 games (with no warm-up matches!) and Taute and Cilliers each only 1 starting opportunity. I have to say Taute looked pretty classy at 15 in the warm-ups but what can one take from a drubbing of the Boland and a loss against the Cheetahs pre-season?!

Nee kak!!

The reason why those Lions players are struggling is because your gameplan sucks!! Elton hasn't shown anything about running at the line, doing those inside passes or anything like that. And Jaco had 1 game, vs. the Bulls and was one of the better players on the field for the Stormers.

I think it's time the Stormers stop over concentrating on defence and start to work on the attacking part of rugby like they used to do...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Nee kak!!

The reason why those Lions players are struggling is because your gameplan sucks!! Elton hasn't shown anything about running at the line, doing those inside passes or anything like that. And Jaco had 1 game, vs. the Bulls and was one of the better players on the field for the Stormers.

I think it's time the Stormers stop over concentrating on defence and start to work on the attacking part of rugby like they used to do...

It would be fantastic if we had more direction on attack but care should be taken not to stray from what has brought us success in recent years. The Lions were a fantastic attacking side but that didn't help them much.

My opinion is that we need to focus on generating turn-over ball. We have this imposing defense and we drive teams back as often as not but it's quite rare for us to attack off of turn overs which we are generally forced into on our own 22 and then we kcik for touch or get a relieving penalty from a player holding onto the ball on the ground and again we'll kick for the safety of the touchline. We generally stand off from the rucks and rather focus on maintaining numbers in defense. This means we don't concede a lot of ground and points but clever tactical kicking will put us under pressure and a lapse in the defense or discipline in the wrong part of the field means we have to play catch up which is when the trouble starts as we struggle to make plays. Turn over ball is a major source of scoring tries for most top teams and is where I would want the Stormers to try to tap into as we have seen that we struggle to create tries from constructed plays. We scored more tries in the past and in CC when we had Francois Louw at 6 or when Deon Fourie played 6 rather than at 2 where he gets less opportunity to play jackal. Guys like De Jongh, Aplon, Habana, Pietersen, Jantjies, Taute and -if he doesn't have to make the turn over- Deon Fourie are lethal on the turn over but we get none or don't back ourselves from far out any more; I remember those exciting long range team tries off of the turn over we had 2 and 3 years back. We need those again and need to look at creating these opportunities IMO.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

There are 3 teams in South Africa who are known for their flamboyant playing style and attacking display... Griquas, FS Cheetahs and the Golden Lions. Besides some phenomenal tries, it hasn't brought them any silverware. Only the Lions, who won the Currie Cup in a season when the other teams were depleated of their Boks due to the World Cup, but other than that, nothing.

Taute and Jantjies are amazing on attack, but seem to struggle to find their way in Cape Town. Give them some time. They have to get used to a more organized game-plan

 

[Dizzy]

Interesting game, I still haven't written to Stormers off... And the Chiefs didn't really impress me last week even though it was a hiding. The Cheetahs put the Chiefs under alot of pressure early on and the Chiefs played the Full 80 where it seemed the Cheetahs fell off as the tries started coming in. The Stormers will be different, They are at home, they can do the entire 80 and they NEED the win..

So this will be close. I await the lineups

 

[ABs2011]

My opinion of the Chiefs last week was that 1) Pulu was pretty average and really did not look up to a starting spot and 2) their lineouts were woeful. Th former is an easy fix as TKB will start this week, the later is a bit more tricky, particularly when they will be up against a Stormers side who is very good at set piece play. Maybe with Captain Craig back in the starting line up they will be able to at least get parity in this area, and for sure the coaching staff will be putting a lot of emphasis on it going into this week.

My initial thoughts on this game are that the task at hand for the Chiefs might just be a bit too difficult first up in SA. Reluctantly I am picking a Stormers to edge out a win here.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

One of the main reasons I look forward to thus match is that the teams didn't face each other last year.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Stormers Team Announced:

15. Joe Pietersen
14. Gio Aplon
13. Jean de Villiers (c)
12. Damian de Allende
11. Bryan Habana
10. Elton Jantjies
9. Nic Groom
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Rynhardt Elstadt
6. Siya Kolisi
5. Andries Bekker
4. De Kock Steenkamp
3. Frans Malherbe
2. Deon Fourie
1. Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes:
16. Tiaan Liebenberg
17. Pat Cilliers
18. Don Armand
19. Nizaam Carr
20. Dewaldt Duvenhage
21. Peter Grant
22. Gerhard van den Heever

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Still looking very ad-hoc.

Man, what I would give to see Liebenberg (or Ntubeni when fit) at 2 with Fourie at 6, Kolisi 7 and Elstadt in ahead of Steenkamp and dropping to the bench with a fit Etzebeth comin into the mix! I'm not even going to go into our problems at center! I'll just get depressed.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Chiefs team announced:

1. Pauliasi Manu
2. Mahonri Schwalger
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clark ©
5. Brodie Retallick
6. Tanerau Latimer
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. Tawera Kerr Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Tim Nanai-Williams
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Gareth Anscombe
16. Hika Elliot
17. Ben Tameifuna
18. Michael Fitzgerald
19. Nick Crosswell
20. Augustine Pulu
21. Andrew Horrell
22. Patrick Osborne

Some very good changes in there, in my opinion. Great to see Horrell on the bench, and I like the look of Ngatai at inside centre, gives us a bit of bulk. Schwalger is also back from injury and pushed Elliot to the bench. Clarke and TKB return to the starting team, the back row is shuffled round a bit and Croswell takes a place on the bench, in what could be his first match for the Chiefs. Still disappointed to not see Toby Smith there, I'd imagine he'll get a run next week against the Kings.

 

[Larksea]

It is a strong chiefs side, I think strongest so far. Aki has been really good on defense at 12 I hope charlie can keep that up. Really important between two fairly average defenders.

It is good to see Masaga back in the top side. I really hope he has a great year.

Interesting in the loose forwards, I know Messam can play 8 it was his preferred position for most of his carrier but why change a good thing? I guess they just want to get the three Best loosies on the park for such a big game and Lee has been ok but ok is maybe not good enough? Personally I would have asked Latimer to play #8

If things dont go the chiefs way early on I expect to see big ben and Horrell early.

Also need a big first game from Mo

 

[Darwin]

A pretty good looking chiefs side. It is interesting to see Schwalger start at hooker, as he will be the 3rd starting hooker in 3 weeks (obviously injuries have played a part in this). Having Clarke back should help the lineout, while the loose-forward trio should function well. Like others I'm still a bit surprised not to see Toby Smith in the 22.

The backline looks strong - I'm picking Ngatai to have a big game. I think he is just what the Chiefs need at 12 too (while Nanai-Williams is at 13), as without him the backline lacks a bit of physicality. As Larksea mentioned it is great to see Horrell back to fitness - it will be interesting to see if/where he slots into the starting lineup next week.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The Horrell situation is an interesting one, as next week the Chiefs will put out a slightly weaker squad anyway, to face the Kings, especially if they win this week's match. By the time the Chiefs return to NZ, Kahui should be ready to play and will likely taken a spot on the bench for the first week (against the Highlanders - yes, you read that right). With Anscombe playing well at fullback, we may find there isn't a spot for Horrell there, in which case he will almost certainly take the 12/13 jersey, with Kahui having the other.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

A NZ team playing at Newlands... I spotted dozens of traitors in the stands already, as usual. Stormers are in the lead after 12 minutes, 10-3

 

[daveypnz]

what a game!

 

[Aedaphon]

It's gonna be a tight finish... 36-34, 5 minutes to go.

 

[daveypnz]

squandered many chances to win that but coming out of newlands with two points...i'll take it!