It was close stuff but a good away win.
Vermeulen had a great game and Malherbe has really come of age this year.
Habana looked rusty and had a game to forget. His miss cost a try.
Not sure why Aplon crept in field on defence to leave the outside wide open for the other try.
v/Aswegen was poor in defence
For the rest, it was a good team performance by the Stormers, with Vermeulen the MOM
Saffex
The Stpormers did well up front - but I predicted that there would be holes in their defence out wide - especially with regard to Aplon and De Jong. They were lucky the Hrricanes did use that weakness only once.
The one player who made a determined effort to ensure the Stormers lose was De Jongh. He gave away 2 penalties - one very kickable - but nissed by Barrrett. The other one was equally stupid - when your team is attacking why give away penalties?
I am not so sure about Van Aswegen. I think he had a good game - both in attack and pressure relieving kicks. I saw one tackle that he missed - but there may have been more. I hope the Stormers des not make a fool of themselves next week by replacing him.
Habana - what a class act. Charging down that conversion and single handedly preventing a tie, when is the last time that happened at this level? With his accomplishments he could easily be a prima donna, but chooses to instead work hard and get involved.
Aplon showed why he has to be in team - may get bumped in the tackle occasionally but has speed and moves to burn, much stronger than he looks and has no lack of commitment. Always seems to pop up in the right place and run the right line. Reads the game well and has good instincts. Has game breaking ability which every team needs.
Saffex
You are right - I missed tackles around the fringes. Thanks for pointing it out. Aswegen made 15 takles and missed 5. Thr missed tackles is too high, but he did quite well considering the tackles were basically made on forwards running at him as a target. When I looked at th game aain I will watch out for that issue.
Just finished watching. They battled!! They deserve all 4 points. 'Canes played hard and brought it, but the Stormers held their own. This road trip is looking good now. They could take 3 of 4.
