JON CARDINELLI writes that Allister Coetzee’s selections in the next four weeks could determine whether the Stormers maintain or relinquish a commanding log position.
The Stormers have returned from Australasia with three wins and 13 log points. It’s an impressive haul that sees them in a powerful position atop the South African conference, and only three points below the Chiefs in the overall standings.
With a bye to come this weekend, they will collect a further four log points. This may not be enough to keep the Stormers at the top of the SA conference (as a bonus-point win in Melbourne will take the Bulls into the lead) but it does give them a great platform heading into a gruelling four-game block.
Physicality is the common denominator as far as clashes against the Cheetahs, Waratahs, Sharks and Bulls are concerned. Uncompromising physicality has been a hallmark of the Stormers’ play, but their ability to sustain that type of effort against four traditionally combative sides will come under scrutiny in the next month or so.
Do they have the personnel to not only survive the next four contests, but to obtain the desired results?
Injuries start to take their toll at this stage of the season, and while the Stormers forwards have performed despite the absence of Schalk Burger, there’s a risk that more senior players could be sidelined in the next few weeks.
In the last fortnight, Nick Koster has been injured and Duane Vermeulen looks to have sustained a season-ending injury. The Stormers were without Vermeulen in the 2011 semi-final and certainly missed him in a physical clash against the Crusaders.
They would be at a similar disadvantage if they qualified for a 2012 play-off, but the more immediate concern is around their loose forward depth. Outside of the trio that started last week, they are dipping into Western Province’s Vodacom Cup stocks.
Burger is only expected to return in July, meaning the Stormers will have to make do with the current crop of loose forwards. Burger was initially expected to return next week to replace Siya Kolisi. The latter player has done a fantastic job at No 6, but would have benefited from a break following eight consecutive starts in that high-impact position. As it stands, Kolisi could be asked to soldier on until the competition pauses for the June Tests.
The abrasive Rynhardt Elstadt has come into form on the blindside flank, and would certainly be an asset to the Stormers in clashes against the Cheetahs, Waratahs, Sharks and Bulls. But outside of Kolisi, Elstadt and Nizaam Carr, the Stormers could be stretched for options. Don Armand, who came off the bench in last week’s win against the Force, may be called on to start before long, as brutal forward clashes usually produce forward casualties.
Tiaan Liebenberg has been one of the most consistent performers in the Stormers’ tight five, and like Vermeulen is one of the biggest proponents of physical play. Coetzee will face a tough decision regarding the use of Liebenberg over the next few weeks. He won’t want to overplay his first-choice hooker, but with Vermeulen and Burger unavailable, the Stormers will need senior players to front, especially in the difficult away games against the Sharks and Bulls.
Andries Bekker played through the pain of a back injury last week. In spite of his titanic efforts in Perth, he doesn’t seem to be operating at optimum efficiency, a fact that may again place Coetzee in a difficult position. Does he allow Bekker to recuperate ahead of the tougher away matches against the Sharks and Bulls, or does he push one of the pack’s leaders to play in the next four games?
One would suggest that Bekker needs a break for the sake of the Stormers as well as the Boks. While Victor Matfield may indeed return for that Test series against England, Bekker is also expected to play a role in that series. The upshot is there will be no time for Bekker to rest in June. He needs to be rested sometime over the next four weeks. It’s a conservative approach that could have long-term benefits for the Stormers and Boks.
But again, the situation is a complicated one.
The Stormers’ position in the SA conference and on the overall log is misleading. They’ve relied on defence to win games but they are yet to score a bonus point for four tries in a match.
What this means is that they will need to keep winning if they are going to stay in the running for a home semi-final. A string of losses may also jeopardise their chances of qualifying for the play-offs altogether.
Because of the injury situation, the Stormers coach has some tough calls to make. The Stormers need to keep winning, but overplaying key players may backfire in the long run.
They may have finished the overseas leg of their campaign with an impressive haul of log points, but injuries and possible fatigue will make the next four weeks just as tough.
How the team responds to the challenge will be crucial, but Coetzee has an even bigger role to play in managing a tiring and somewhat depleted squad.
Frankly I cannot see success coming our way with a pack that is without guys like Burger, Vermulen etc. The lighweights like Kolisi carr and steenkamp will not cut it against top sides never mind more back ups.
If we can keep winning till Burger returns and we have no more injuries there is still a chance. Bekker looks dicey to me.
Beeno uneasy about the days ahead.
