Stormers aim for number 1

Ex Supersport

Allister Coetzee has never given the impression he is the type who might lose his house at a casino, so it was unsurprising to hear him after the win over the Bulls talking about his Stormers team’s job not being done and “there is a lot of rugby to be played still”. (Quite right) But the Stormers coach was able to permit himself a small, wry smile of satisfaction at the knowledge that his team’s current position comfortably at the top of the South African Super Rugby conference is one in the eye for those critics who keep carping on about his side’s lack of four-try bonus points.(Well don’t speak too soon if we don’t  end top of the log this will be the reason) After 13 matches the Stormers have yet to get a four-try bonus point, but Coetzee has consistently said that doesn’t concern him, and he was sticking to that line after the 19-14 triumph over the Bulls that was achieved with a severely depleted team and in epic circumstances, with his men having to pull off one of the finest ever defensive displays to win. “As I have said all along, bonus points are just a bonus, what is important is to win,” said Coetzee. “We have had our plan all along, and we are sticking to that. I have always said that we just have to keep winning and the log position will take care of itself, and as you will see if you look at the log now, that has been the case. We have won 11 of our 13 games and we are on top of the South African conference.” Indeed, and the chances of them being caught now are minimal, with their superior number of victories giving them a significant edge in that if they end up in a tie at the top of the conference, they will advance on superior number of wins (they have lost only twice whereas the Bulls have now lost five games). The win at Loftus has significantly changed the landscape for the Stormers, for they just need to win their remaining three games against the Lions (home), Cheetahs (away) and Rebels (home) to be sure of topping the conference. They don’t need to think of bonus points, which might have been the case had they gone into the last three games trailing the Bulls. (being top of the log is the issue as well. Travelling to Nz to play a final for example puts one at a disadvantage – brycy would probably the ref as well!!!!!) “We know the Bulls still have to play the Sharks in Durban so we have always felt quite comfortable about our log situation, but I agree that we are in a strong position now. That doesn’t mean though that we can take away our focus as we saw what the Lions can do when they beat the Sharks,” said Coetzee. The biggest factor in the Stormers’ favour looking ahead to the July sequence of three matches that will end the league phase of the competition is the leg up they have been given by Heyneke Meyer’s Springbok selections. Unlike the other contending teams they will not be getting many players back at the start of the July leg of fixtures who will have been exhausted by playing three consecutive test matches against England. Only Eben Etzebeth, Jean de Villiers and Bryan Habana made the national squad which has gathered in Durban in preparation for the series. CHUFFED WITH NEW PLAYERS “I don’t want to see the players over the next week, I have given them the week off. When they come back we will do a week of conditioning and then we will start focusing on a few individual skill issues the following week before starting the build-up to the remaining fixtures. “As you know, Schalk Burger, who is progressing really well now with his rehabilitation from injury, will be back for us in the July games, as will Andries Bekker, who gets reassessed after four weeks, and Nick Koster. The only guy who may not come back immediately is Duane Vermeulen, but he will be ready to play after a few weeks and definitely for the knockout phase of the competition. “So we do feel we are in a good position. I have to take my hat off to the players for how we played against the Bulls. Our plan was to just make sure we fronted the Bulls physically throughout the 80 minutes, to make sure we made it a personal thing where we just didn’t step back. That plan worked. The secret to this team is the way the guys play for each other.”(Have to agree Alistair there is great team spirit) In a season where new players have been coming through and putting up their hands, Coetzee was chuffed with the contribution of the new players brought in because of injury for the Loftus battle. “I have said it before, we have very good systems in place bringing through younger players and all the players who make their debut in Super Rugby are well prepared for it because of their experience of training with the squad at the High Performance Centre.”(Hats of the Rassie) Lock Quinn Roux was particularly outstanding in the second half and reminded critics of why, before he was forced to miss the start of the season because of injury, he was for a long time considered an even better prospect than new Springbok Eben Etzebeth. (Seems to explain his absence. “Injuries are part and parcel of Super Rugby, and when you look ahead at the start of a season you have to be prepared for the possibility that you will have injuries. I think we have shown that we have looked after that aspect of Super Rugby really well.” Indeed, and their log position shows it, but maybe now it is time for a change in emphasis -- Coetzee may not say so, but the SA conference is done and dusted. The Chiefs are just four points ahead of the Stormers on the overall log, and with a match against Crusaders in their future, the Stormers should now be focusing on overhauling them and getting top spot overall. And their lead in the SA conference is significant enough for them to chance their arm in the remaining matches in a quest for the bonus points they may need to achieve that objective. Exactly what I thought - we do need a bonus point or two. Crusties to beat the Chiefies and we top log and go n to win comp. Man what a prospect!!! Trust I have typed the future scenario!! I want to see Rouz and Etzebeth at lock. The physicality of this pack will be awesome. 940 kg or there abouts. All the mocking birds will fall silent, sitting ball will b ein awe and all will  acknowledge that Beeno alone understood the Bok true heritage – to rule world rugby through our forwards!!  I can see it all so clearly!   Meyer I suspectt has  a glimpse of this truth,   Beeno -  living in hope

Good point re knock out play Draad. Also brycy if the crusties are so fast and we are so slow how come we scored more tries against them  than they did against us.

You won that game because both our locks got injured and because we were blown out of the game for being offside repeatedly - an event that had not happened before nor has it happened since.

We have no fear of the crusties if we have our full side and a fair competent ref.