The commentators and many bloggers dumped on the Stormers for not going for 4 tries in the driving rain, last weekend. Short sighted.....lacking in aggressive intent.....timid. These words were being bandied around.
But, as I pointed out, the Stormers were simply maximizing the the probabilities. And so it transpires.
We do have the dumbest commentators in the game.
Mozart
How right you are. Playing conditions like was encountered last week are great equalizers and that is what happened in that game. It is just not possible to play a passing game in such circumstances and scoring of tries are consequently difficult. In any event - the Stormers managed a win and that was what was important, Another win tomorrow - even without any tries - and they get a home semi-final. Nobody - not even the commentators thought that the Chiefs would lose the last two games in the round robin phase - but I agree, they can do much beeter.
I was one of those having a go at the Stormers' lack of bonus points, and how it could potentially cost them, but I called it wrong. I am man enough to admit that. Although, one or two different results from other teams, and they could have landed up missing out on a semi. I am very glad they have made it though, and at this point they are looking good and should easily top the combined log. Bulls have won this thing 3 times, would be nice to see another SA side take the Super Rugby trophy home. We may yet see two SA sides playing against each other in the final...that would be awesome!
Against the Cheetahs in those conditions everyone knows a 5 pointer was not on.
That said going a whole season, or just about, and not getting a 5 pointer is not the way to go. Lets not get too foolish about this please. Another year a top side will win many games and a number of bonus points. Just becasue we got lucky this season does not make bonus points unnecessary.
Not getting bonus points left the Stromers log position at the end of the year out of their own hands. That is NOT how you want to do it. You want control of your own destiny, not having to hope the Chiefs lose their last two games so you can take it.
Saying that, I never got on them about last weekends game. Difficult conditions played a huge part in that game. But as for the rest of the year, if they just had two 4 try bonus points, they would have been in control. Just 2.
Saying all that, it is true that you are the hardest on the ones you love. :)
Go Stormers!!!
