Meyer helping Stormers

The Stormers defence this past weekend was absolutely epic! They defended brilliantly, and even though the Bulls dominated all the stats, they lost, and that is due to the fantastic defence of the Stormers. But here is the problem. The massive tackle count of the Stormers, in my opinion, is why they are having such serious injury problems in the forwards. It is a well known fact that defending for large portions of a game will have a negative impact on the players. Now the Stormers fans are in a frenzy over the number of Bulls and the lack of Stormers in the Springbok squad, but here is a different take on things. The Stormers have only lost 3 players to the Springboks, the rest of the team can now rest for over 3 weeks. It is my opinion that Heyneke Meyer has done the Stormers Super Rugby campaign a huge favour, because the most fatigued side in the tournament, will, bar three players, now have more than three weeks off, to recover. With Burger, Vermeulen, Koster and possibly Bekker all due back after the break, joining a properly rested squad, I think the Stormers now have a real opportunity to win the competition. I also think that the Stormers were getting to the point where they could not maintain their game plan any longer without imploding due to fatigue. The three England test could not have come at a more perfect time for them.

You Stormers fans should be thanking Meyer for leaving out so many Stormers players! Also, it is obvious to me that Meyer has gone for experience over form, which would explain Alberts, Kanko and a couple of other getting the nod. The reason I think he has done this is due to the lack of time to prepare for the tests, so experienced players will take less time to adjust to the already familiar Springbok setup.

...maybe...maybe not...teams will lose their momentum over a big break like this...could just as easily be a curse...playing the cellar dwellers in the last weeks is hardly great preperations for finals football either...

I don't agree sitting, all 15 teams have the same time off, so they are all i nthe same boat there. The difference is that the Stormers need the break more than anyone else. The fact that the team will for the most part still be together over the break will also help with continuity.

...whatever works for you bluebok but i know 6 Chiefs playing in ABs team and another six playing North vs South so Mighty Chiefs definitely won't be resting on their laurels...

Yes this has worked out very nicely for the Stormers. A good rest and some key players coming back. I hope Duane Vermeulen also gets back. Trouble is how good will they be after all these months off.

Nevertheless with the chiefies about to lose to the crusties (please note sitting bull) and if we do not lose another game we could top the log. Bonus points still remain a problem but hopefully we will earn a couple.

Cheetahs loom as a threat. They will do whatever they can to topple us ala the Lions versus Sharks.

Bluebok all this defence could be taking its toll. But getting hammered in the tackle can also take its toll. Fact is we didn't lose a player to injury against the bulle. Wonder if stats exist to show more tackles more injuries.

Good question Beans, would be interesting to see. Still, to the best of my knowledge, tackles = fatigue and fatigue leads to injury.

And sitting bull, if one or two of your star Chiefies get injured in those games I reckon you'll be singing from a different song book in three weeks time.

...maybe not bluebok...remember the Mighty Chiefs lost three players to injury in their first game and went on to win nine in a row...it's more about depth...then Kahui was injured but the Chiefs have gone on to win all their games since...played our reserve team against our city cousins Auckland again demonstrating our depth...should the unthinkable happen and further players are injured the Mighty Chiefs will adapt due to the depth in the team...therein lies the secret to our success..