Stormers leave it late to impress; Rugby 365

After suffering a dismal start to the season where they did not win any games on tour and have suffered away from home, the Stormers have finally started putting some good performances together - at the end of the season The Stormers ran up a first-half 16-0 lead, and the score remained the same until the final whistle in a low scoring affair on Saturday against the Bulls who still, before the match, had a chance of play-off rugby. "We were ready for this North-South derby and we played with great intensity," said Coetzee after the match. "We played some of our best rugby this year and it was pleasing especially because it was against a side like the Bulls. "We showed the balance between attack and defence that we have been striving for." The presence of Victor Matfield made life difficult for the Stormers at lineout time, but Coetzee conceded that it was to be expected. "Victor is such a master at controlling the lineouts that opponents will always battle there and it would have been better if he was not there," said Coetzee. "It is not something that we cannot fix and with the Sharks up next week, we know we have some work to do there." Stormers flyhalf Kurt Coleman again justified his selection ahead of stalwart Peter Grant with a near-flawless goalkicking display and his distribution served his untried midfield well. "Kurt brings a balance to the game from the flyhalf position and his goalkicking even in the poor conditions continues to improve," said Coetzee. "I was happy with our centre combination [Sailosi Tagicakibau and Juan de Jongh] even though they have never played together before." Bulls coach Frans Ludeke accepted that the Stormers' first-half effort effectively brought a sobering end to his side's play-off hopes. "The Stormers really started well and exerted big pressure," said Ludeke. "It was a game of two halves but we just couldn't get points in the second half. "The Stormers won the gameline battle and we also lost the ball at crucial stages." Several Stormers players, such as Pat Cilliers, Deon Fourie, Gio Aplon and Schalk Burger will be severing ties with Newlands at the end of the season next week. "There are a few guys going overseas and we wanted to give players a good send-off, "said Coetzee. "We want to end off on a high note and we're looking to do the same next week."

Shame that they are finally getting it right & then they will lose some of their players. It will be up to the management to select good replacements.

 mmmm yes where is the canes apology for screwing them in Capetown earlier in the year  Haha but seriousley, A for Stormers they are learning to run the ball, its sweeping the nation 

 The bulle have lost 30 players over th last few seasons.We have also lost a large number overseas plus these injured - Steven Kitshoff, Ollie Kebble, Siya Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Brok Harris, Eben Etzebeth, De Kock Steenkamp, Rynhardt Elstadt. And then at the back they were without Jean de Villiers, Damian de Allende and Kobus van Wyk.

With the player exodus and the injuries each year it is about impossible to build a competition winning side.The bulle have been reduced to ordinary and us as well. Injuires and exports are a MAJOR problem.What a shame DeonFourie never got the recognition at 6 he so richly deserved. What a waste!
Schalk may be back for the Super 16 next year.
Lost overseas and locally to SA franchisesBlauw, Brits, Visagie (Where is JC Kritzinger?)Quinn Roux, BekkerFrancois Louw, Nick Koster, Pieter Louw
BACKSHougaard, De Kok, Duvenage
Sweil, Pollard, MorneWhitehead, Sadie, Jaque Fourie, JJ Du Plessis Habana, Van der Heever, JJ Engelbrecht,Joe Pietersen
By no means an exhaustive list.  All it illustrates is the problem the Stormers and other franchises in South Africa have. In the case of the Cheetahs its even worse due to their small budget.
Bring back our players home and we would completely dominate both the Super 15 and the RC.End of story.Pleae lets having no cluck, cluking from the kbbs!!!

Beeno: Congrats on the Mighty--e Stormers win. Well deserved on all counts. Fantastic 30 year rolling maul, some creative back play and solid forward work.

 

On the national scene though, I imagine when the present is so bleak the future has to hold promise. Some even take refuge in the past by recycling old players - ah "those were the days my friend" - as the song goes.

JW we could pick a side from the players lost that would undoubtedly win the Super 15.
Re the RC. A lot depends on who is left standing and fit to play for the Boks. Also will M eyer dump that conman victor and get his selections right.
What does give hope is the slide of the abs although the rise of the Ozzies is of concern.

 Beeno: "if we picked a side..." You have been caught dreaming again
I agree that the rise of the Ozzies is a concern for the wee Boks. That "we're number 2 chant may have to be revised to "we're number 3". It simply doesn't have the same ring about it though.

 JW  I am sure you guys can make 3 as the Argies are not really up to it. Please polish up the RC cup and B ledisloe cup and have them nice and clean and ready to leave. 
Thnaks - 

Beeno: SA doesn't have any any trophies or a trophy cabinet in which to store them.
No worries though as there won't be a need for a cabinet. It has been rumored that even in the unlikely event that a SA team won a trophy it would disappear.

Evidence provided free of charge

 Dr Win is suddenly a Stormer's supporter and Beeno is forgiven for all his past sins.

An unsavoury alliance Beeno and Dr Win's huge support...thanks to a sneaky drop kick...anyway my attitude is if the Sharks want to do it the hard way, good luck to them. But they always do this...the Stormers have nothing to lose but this should make the Shark's stronger...afterall if they cannot beat the Stormers then they don't deserve the title which keeps slipping by each year.

I'll become a Crusaders fan and get shot for being a traitor...now we have the convicts at the top...poor old Spoony who is doing time I suspect will be happy...and then Redsman shouting the odds...what a life!

Seb: some might call me a fair-weather friend as I am accused of only supporting SA teams that will help kiwi teams 
I made a pact with ... the... Beeno. If the stormers won I would call them the mighty stormers (i have allowed myself a few spelling variations) for the rest of the year. Beeno was in total shock because the stormers won. Hence I am doing penance - one more week to go.
Supporting the Saders is not so bad but supporting the Chiefs, now there is a team that is worthy of your support.

 JW tell what do you call the S tormers?

 Many things in private Beeno.