The Upcoming Stormers game

I read another article on the Stormers on the TV news programme and I think that the fact that Etzebeth and Kolisi will be back in the starting line-up will make a huge difference to the forward situation.   Elstatd had a good game against the Hurricanes - but Bekker was not really up to standard.   With his protege back in the mix - there is every hope that Bekker will also show more in the upcoming gaame.

The main worry remains the backline.   There are serious doubts expressed in the article about the backline defence issue.    The problem is tht the flyhalf channel is targettred by opposition as a soft spot and that was the case also on the part of the Hurricanes.    That was only partically successful and Van Aswegen in fact made 15 tackles and missed 5.   That shows a weakness on his part - but the question is - is his defence better than that of Jantjies?  I believe he is a better defender than Jantjies and that situation is going to be crucial on Saturday.  If Jantjies is in the starting line-up the Stromers are going to regret it very much.   Similarly I think that Van Aswegen is in fact a safer ball handler - whilst Jantjies under pressure knocks on balls - the latest example being the Crusaders game.  In my opinion Van Aswegen is a better bet than the unpredictable Jantjies at flyhalf.

Insofar as the jittery backline defence is concerned - I think that Habana and Aplon slipped up badly - while De Jongh only missed one tackle of the six he attempted.   Habana is on the comeback trail after injury and his defencive lapses will not recur - but I am very worried about the De Jong and Aplon situation.   De Jongh's record of failed tackles this year is atrocious and to have the questionable defence of Aplon also is a double whammy in favour of the Blues.   I definitely will have a different backline comprising of the following:-

15 Pietersen

14  Habana

13 De Villiers

12  De Allende

11   Aplon

 10  Van Aswegen

  9  Broom

The above backline would have more capacity in respect of both attacking play and defence - particularly in respect of the latter.   Although defensively both De Jongh and Aplon are below par - at least Aplon has attacking values - with De Jongh bringing nothing to attacking play.  One of them will have to go - so my choice for retention is Aplon.

However, Coetzee is likely to select his favourites and that could pottentilly harm the Stormers seriously and could have a severely detrimental affect on their further campaign in Super 16.       

Coetzee in an interview said Etzebeth and Jantjies will be played off the bnch in the game against the Blues and that all players took part in the training session and everybody seems to be fine.   At least that makes a bit of sense - I hope Jantjies will be given some playing time if the Stormers is in a good position to win the game - otherwise it may be catastrophic.

Thanks for the news on Etzebeth and Kolisi, they will make a major impact and will give the Stormers more momentum. Deon Fourie is a quality player to have and will also be expected to do well. This match is not going to be a relatively easy win for the Stormers, as many of us know the Blues have some class players. In terms of backline play Blues are most likely going to be more advanced especially at attacking, De Villiers and De Jongh have to defending at their best with full concentration else Ranger will be gone. A serious aspect which is lacking in Stormers is theres no versatility to get the wingers involved with the ball in hand by passing, they are rather doing it by kicking the ball in a near position where they are which is risky. I do not prefer that tactic because theres so many ways it can be ineffective, i saw it on a few occasions with Aplon and Habana. The grubber kick is more better option which Joe Pietersen tried for Habana but went directly out. I think Chris Noakes is a remarkable flyhalf for the Blues, i do not rate him above Carter but he has some balance in is playstyle, he can attack the gainline himself which not many SA fly halfs can do including Van Aswegen. The notion of individual briliance is something that the Stormers need, i do not think Stormers will win if they can't execute set peices correctly, getting the wingers involved is important. I would like to see Groom in the starting lineup, i think Duvenage just brings the experience with the team hence why he starts but not much to offer. Groom is more faster at recycling the ball at the ruck, and is precise when building phases at scrum half. 

15.Pietersen
14.Habana
13.De Jongh
12.De Villiers
11.Aplon
10.Jantjies
9.Groom

A backline I woul d like to see. Groom, Van Aswegen, Habana, Jean, Allende, De Jongh and Joe. Yes I would like to see the pacy De Jongh have a go on the wing. Aplon as an important impact player.

Here are some comments by Alistair ex Supersport:

DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has confirmed that Springboks Eben Etzebeth and Elton Jantjies will return to rugby this weekend via the bench.

The Cape team are set to face the Blues in a Vodacom Super Rugby match at the North Shore Stadium in Albany on Friday, and Coetzee was pleased to have all hands on deck in training on Monday. That included Siya Kolisi, who withdrew from last week’s game against the Hurricanes at the last minute because of a groin injury, as well as Etzebeth and Jantjies, who are returning from more length injury enforced absences.

“Today’s training went really well. We trained at Teachers Easterns which was very different from the synthetic field we trained on last week in the build-up to the Hurricanes game,” said Coetzee via teleconference call from Auckland on Monday.

“You may have seen that last week before the Palmerston North game, Eben did the warm-up with us. The only player missing there was Siya. Today everyone trained and took a full part in the practice so we have 26 players on tour and 26 players to choose from for the Blues match which is a good position for us to be in.”

Were Etzebeth to start against the Blues it would be the first time this season the pack was at full-strength, but listening to Coetzee talk, that doesn’t seem likely.

“It is good to have Eben back but he hasn’t played in some time and as always when that is the case, you don’t really know what you’re getting until he plays in a game,” said the coach.

“It normally takes a couple of games before a player coming back from a lengthy injury really hits the zone. It would be unfair to start him in this match (AGREE). Neither Andries Bekker nor De Kock Steenkamp, based on recent performances, deserves to be dropped. They are playing well in combination and they haven’t played any bad games.

“Eben needs to be eased back. We will give him the work-load we feel he is ready for this week, which should be about 40 to 50 minutes.”

Coetzee added that Steenkamp had really impressed during the time that Etzebeth has been absent, which dates back to early February, when the lock was injured in a warm-up fixture against Boland Cavaliers at the Cape Town Stadium. (Please note snapster)

“What De Kock has done is amplify what opportunity means. You have to always be ready to slot in when needed, in fact you need to be ready ahead of time so you can make maximum use of your opportunity. De Kock has done that. He has played consistently well for us this season.”

On the subject of Jantjies, who twisted his knee against the Cheetahs three weeks ago, Coetzee said that the player was training with confidence and was ready to go again. But the performances of Gary van Aswegen in his absence have been good enough for him to retain his place for the Albany game.

“Gary has been steady. He’s kicked well out of hand and had made some really good decisions. You need to look at what the opposition are going to bring and where they are going to challenge you so we will stick with Gary. Elton has made a good recovery though and I am looking forward to what he can bring as a replacement.”

Coetzee said that he had yet to get a full assessment of the injury to Michael Rhodes, who flew home to Cape Town with an ankle injury after the 18-16 win over the Hurricanes, but “conservatively I would say four to six weeks”.

Go Mighty Stormers time to serve some kiwi hopefuls the blues.

Its no contest bewteen Jantjies and v/Aswegen. If Jantjies is fit its a no brainer, Jantjies to start. My Stormers backline would be:

15. Joe 14. Aplon 13. de Allende 12. Jean 11. Habana 10. Jantjies 9. Groom

Saffex

Coetzee already said Jantjies will not start in the game - he will be on the bench.  One can only hope he keeps Jantjies on the bench for at least 60 minutes.  He has buggered up enough matches for the Stormers this yea already.

Usual ignorant crap from you. v/Aswegen looks pretty poor to me.....the sooner Jantjies starts the better for the Stormers. v/Aswegen ahead of Jantjies is like asking your third team flyhalf to play ahead of your first teamer

Saffex

It least the games Van Aswegen played in the Stormers won.  The two games Jantjies buggered up badly was against the Bulls (4 missed goal kicks and a poor performance) and the Crusaders (knock -ons and penalty given away - ultimately accounting for 10 lost points) - the latter just to remind you of what Jantjies brings to the Stormers games.   Van Awegen is more safe than Jantjies under pressure and Jantjies is the feeblest defender of the two.   Jantjies make 2 good plays a game and buggers up badly for the rest of games - so what is so wonderful of Earl Silky Hands?

Its a team game DomMike, the only thing v/Aswegen added was missed tackles. Look I'm sure he is not a bad player bu he is not close to the likes of Jantjies and co. Elton is a Bok, v/Aswegen will always only be a fill in S15 player

Saffex

That is exactly it - it is a teamgame - ssmd rvry plsyer is part of the team.  If one player is weak - the team suffers.   Jantjies was average in two games and a disaster in the rest.   He is not a safe player and his overall record on tackles is much worse than Van Aswegen if you compare tackles made as against tackles missed.

The fact that Jantjies was a Springbok means nothing on the field of play - he was only in one test for a longuish period and that appearnce in Soweto was a fiasco as well.   the bumbling Silky Hands is no real asset - more a liability.   .  

Saffex

That is exactly it - it is a teamgame - and every player is part of the team.  If one player is weak - the team suffers.   Jantjies was average in two games and a disaster in the rest.   He is not a safe player and his overall record on tackles is much worse than Van Aswegen if you compare tackles made as against tackles missed.

The fact that Jantjies was a Springbok means nothing on the field of play - he was only in one test for a longuish period and that appearnce in Soweto was a fiasco as well.   the bumbling Silky Hands is no real asset - more a liability.   .  

 DomMike I see you are back to your lying......you cant keep a bad dog down. Pathetic really

I am thankful the  the calm level headed van Aswegen is starting. Jantjes is too flash and doesnt not have the head to make consistently correct decisions.

Dont think now many are punting Jantjies here or elsewhere. Allistair is also having second thoughts. He cant afford anymore slips up due to headless play.