Crusader vs Stormer - Is this a watershed moment for the stormer

Well, I know its only Tuesday but as the Stormers are on top of the log at the moment I would like to know whether this Crusaders match will be the turning point for the Stormers. Personally for me the Stormers have not impressed me that match. AC has dusted off some of Jake Whites play books by implementing a water tight defence and an attack that lives of scraps and counter attacking.

I for one think the Crusaders has the best tight five in the league, Carter will be in his third game back and the Crusaders has the best back three. Their only short coming for me this year has been in the centres.

I do think the Stormers can beat them, but I don’t think the have the tools to play attacking rugby when chasing the game or when they chose to attack. I noticed in the last few games how the Stormers backline implodes when trying to spread the ball around a bit in the backs.

What do you guys think, Stormes win on Saturday they have the right stuff to take the Super 14 this year or if the lose, is it the end of the road and another, yet so close…..?

 I do think a loss for the stormers is defenitely on the board, they have to lose at some stage. However a win is defetly on the board as well. I don't think a loss will make or break their season, It seems they have developed nicely as a team and the will regroup again after a loss.Wheither they will win in the end .... It's still a long season and anything can happen.

Game number 7 of the regular season is not make or break. It is a big game, probably the game of the week, but not make or break for the Stormers. I'd say it's more of a make or break for the Saders looking at the standings. Stormers lose, and go to 6-1, or the Saders lose at home and go to 3-4, and winning the conference looks even more difficult. Stormers have a chance at winning this game, and that alone is a good sign for this team no matter how they've play.

Well said canned rugby! crusties lose this and their position becomes serious. Of course this is a big motivating factor for the crustacians.

I see ek (not me) has a scenario for any eventuality so he can't be wrong.

king corn is trying to cover his bases but veering off into error. Best tight five? We shall see. The big issue is the scrum. Can the Stormers scrum match theirs. Will be very interesting to see how our two young props go. Apart from this consideration  the Stormers tight five is superior.

The crusties are going down, down dooooown! Were lucky to earn any points against the bulle.

:)

From an analytics point of view. Always stock all your bases and review all scenario's. There is always a statistical posibility for any eventuality.

 The point I'm making is based on last year, the stormers looked really good, but lost both to the Reds and Crusaders. They had a home semi and lost to the very same team, crusaders. Due to the fact that Crusaders matched them upfront and they couldn't do anything to beat them as they lack that attacking edge. I see the same thing happening, If they can't outplay them on attack its going to be another dissapointing year.

I understand where you are coming from Kingkorn. but unfortunately we can't say that the same thing will happen again on assumption. It might and again it might not. It is one of those things that we will have to wait and see. As i said though, The feel i get from the stormers side is that they are better equiped me things psychologically now than they where last year to handle such a loss and come back from it. But it's only a feeling and not based on anything so it is open season regarding how they will react, and we can specualte as we want. Maybe they should lose the game just to test our theories. Well don't think they would like the suggestion though :)

Crusaders gunna smash em, then the Chiefs are gunna smash em and lucky for you the Hurricanes have a bye...

Can't wait for the Chiefs Cheetahs game though . As you know The Chiefs are so fast  the cameraman can't even keep up. Good luck to them big pussies anyhow

Not long ago, I got bashed for saying that the might of the Crusaders is long gone and the myth is kept alive by a media hype.

Well windpomp given we cant even view the ss board we will have to take your word on what you supposedly said. It is though a strange comment coming from a dedicated crusaders oak?

Ek you and Moz have stats in common - his doctorate was in this filed I believe.

I think the Stormers pack is markedly better than last year. Also last year if memory serves we had some key injuries. Crusaders pack will struggle to hold the Stormers and brycy will probably wet himself when he sees the crusties coming off second best in the forwards. Sitting bull will need all the comfort his many wives can give.

Oh windpomp please no more bad reports to ou hawker - Moz and I might get a double banning and we surely wont want that! Bwahaha hahhahahaha.

Thx Beeno, however my stats background would surely not be as illustrious as Moz's. To me it is more of a personallity trait.  Which in most instances infuriate those around me. Including my wife:)

I am not a statistition by trade, rather an analyst of type fitting trade to personality probably. Sometimes stats don't tell you the whole story and you need to fill the gaps.

Agree about filling the gaps re stats they are often huge!!  Please note ye of statistical persuasions.

noted

Nice post there kingcorn, you conjure up some interesting points and I agree that the Stormers have not been impressive........that was until last week against the Highlanders. Don't underestimate their awesome win against the Highlanders. They've been playing some very good rugga and had hometown advantage to boot whereas the Stormers have been eina just over the line. I believe the win was crucial to the Stormers confidence, all it takes is one game to turn things around and I believe they've had that game....last week.

I have been unimpressed with the Crusties thus far and I've commented on them playing on reputation. The Stormers as I've said prior to them playing the Highlanders  have a forward pack who can mix it with any other physical team in the competition so I have no reason to doubt them regardless of the opposition. There is no doubt that the game will be won at the breakdown, a Crusader strength, and without a recognized fetcher methinks our blokes will struggle. AC will have to come up with a plan and I'm sure he will. For the first time this year we witnessed some spark from the Stormers backs, we need this to continue, if it does they'll carve up the Crusties.

Im tipping a Stormer win.

Denny well said. Although nothing is certain in sport the Stormers have  a good chance to win given a decent ref of course  -and touch line judges  - and video judge. One has to cover ones basis!!
 

Wonder why Alistair is starting with Harris against a side which has a very good scrum?

Possible due to Malherbe's Impact at the end?

Malherbe had a few scrum penalties go againsth him, but it was a very strong Highlanders pack. Although, I would rather have him over brok. Brok spends way to much time in the backline for my liking.

Beeno1
Member
Posts: 871 RE: Crusader vs Stormer - Is this a watershed moment for the stormer
April 11, 2012, 13:07:12

Well windpomp given we cant even view the ss board we will have to take your word on what you supposedly said. It is though a strange comment coming from a dedicated crusaders oak?

Ek you and Moz have stats in common - his doctorate was in this filed I believe.

I think the Stormers pack is markedly better than last year. Also last year if memory serves we had some key injuries. Crusaders pack will struggle to hold the Stormers and brycy will probably wet himself when he sees the crusties coming off second best in the forwards. Sitting bull will need all the comfort his many wives can give.

Oh windpomp please no more bad reports to ou hawker - Moz and I might get a double banning and we surely wont want that! Bwahaha hahhahahaha.

I see you are planning to on being an idiot for the rest of your life. My remark about the Crusaders was right here on this forum.

Better you stop whinging about not being able to read the other forum. You have said that you are better off here, so why do you still crave to be able to know what is going on on there. The so-called "report" is also a fixation on the mind of the good doctor.

Sorry windpomp my points stands in principle though. When will the oaks running ss the board get  a life and grow is the real question. Bwahahahahhahahahahahaha hiding behind their cyber wall. Hilarius.

Enjoy the liberty we share here windpomp and go tell them how it should be done!!  No more bad reports though please Moz and I are having sleepless nights!

YES it is,, they got to put the saders to bed once and for all,, they beat them twice last year,, and dont think they have ever won in christchurch!! its becoming a mental block for them,, break it now and i think they will go on to become champions,,,,, lose this one and it could all go tits up for them!

I just don`t see it going all tits up after game 7 of the regular season. Maybe there is some trolling going on here, but seriously?

Yes, it's a huge game mentally for the Stormers, but if they play well, and play their style and only lose, I really don't see their season going tits up.

There is playing in the regular season, and then there is playing in the playoffs. Hopefully the stormers have learned that in the Playoffs is when their game really needs to be ramped up. Not Game 7 of a long season.

 Well the NZ teams have been treated very well by the refs in both S15 and Tri Nations.

Lets see how things pan out now that Old Birdbrain has been taken out of the equation.

Go Stormers go!!!!

One can only go on what one has seen so far and that indicates a Stormers win is on the cards.