Ex Supersport
What can be said about the quality of rugby produced in a conference when it’s comfortably led by a team that has gone through 14 matches without scoring a single four-try bonus-point?
That, unfortunately, will be the synopsis of South Africa’s participation in the 2012 edition of Super Rugby after the Stormers pretty much sealed our conference on Saturday when they limped to yet another unimposing win, this time at home to a self-destructing Lions outfit.
And it could be worse, what will it say about the tournament as a whole if that same flair-less team turns out to be its overall leader at the end of league play? (We shoul dall say amazing stuff stormers given the injuries)
That, too, is a real possibility, because the Stormers have only the out-of-the-running Cheetahs and Rebels left to tick on their pre-playoff to-do list, while the Chiefs -- the only other realistic contenders for the top-of-the-log spot -- have both the Crusaders and the Hurricanes waiting for them in the next fortnight. (Please NOTE Brycy, Hakwa Sasue and Sitting bool)
The answer to those questions, of course, is nothing. It’s not an indictment on either the conference or the tournament if its dullest team ends up being its torch-bearer; it is just sad proof that the game itself has degenerated into an adventure-less, defence-dominated bore-fest. 9Dulles tyou say but by wha tcriteria. How about the thrill of defending your line for ten minutes and not allowing the opposition to score? This plonker has no idea!!!!)
And it’s hardly news. We’ve been bemoaning the state of the game – even in one of its most exciting tournaments - since kick-off way back in February. And it’s no surprise that nothing has been done since to rectify it.
So what are we to do now? Shall we just hand the Stormers the trophy now and hope that by next year this time something will have happened in the world of rugby so that it is no longer necessary to out-bore them in search of glory? (Its a deal I will take for sure!!)
The answer, at least historically, is a resounding no. It may be true that Super Rugby could end its league phase being led by a team that struggles to score, but the title has never been won by one.
All five champion teams had a devastating game with ball-in-hand when they won their respective titles, and quite often it was required of them to call on it en route to or in the playoffs themselves.
Take the Bulls, for example. They won their first title in 2007 with a miracle try well after the hooter against as resolute a Sharks defence (You forget it was an illegal try and the ref blundered - Sharks were true winners of this title - had the better of the game as well - but result is part of the bulle mythology now))as you could ever hope for. They were able to believe in their own scoring abilities in those last couple of minutes because two weeks beforehand they ran in 13 tries against the Reds just to qualify for a home semifinal. (oh please I saw that game again recently the REDS were totally out of it - ment zip)
And then we have last year’s champions, the Reds. They had their backs against the wall in the final after an opportunistic Dan Carter try, but Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane were able to create two great tries out of nothing to win despite their flyhalf’s wayward boot. They never panicked, because they knew how to put their stars away for points, they had been doing it all season. (Game could have gone either way - lady luck ruled the day)
And that brings us back to the Stormers. What will they have to fall back on if they once again find themselves having to play catch-up in a knockout match? So far this season they have scored a measly 25 tries. That is 20 less than their closest conference rivals the Bulls, and only one more than the lowest-ranked Lions. With a backline as talented as any other in the competition, that is simply unacceptable. (We do not have a backline coach. Alisitair has no clue and ditto fleckie)
Their ultra-conservative approach has gotten them into the playoffs, but it’s done so before, and that alone should no longer be good enough for them (given a decent ref we , like the sharks would have one super Rugby title). It’s time for them to step out of their comfort zone. (Boetie if we get back our first string pack that might just happen)
History (both their own and that of previous champions) shows that you can’t go into knockout matches with a limited arsenal (How about the world Cup?). Let’s hope that in these next two weeks the Stormers will stop trying to tackle themselves to wins and start focusing on getting their potentially awesome attack into the game.
Play like the lekker ding you claim you are. It is something you owe yourselves and your fans, and it’s the only way you’ll get the momentum you need going into the playoffs. It will also make the rest of the rugby world a tad less depressed about the state of our game if it is not just plain cynicism that has won the day.
Oh boy does this oak sound like a disgruntled bulle herder from you know where!! Bwahahhahahahaha
Listen right now No side cares two hoots how they win this title just that they win. Granted we should have done more with this backline- thats a given. A dominant pack, good goal kicking flyhalf plus superb defence and some attacking flair can win this even if its not as pretty as this oak wants. I will not be crying if we win ugly. Playoff may not require huge attacking efforts.
