I can't think of a worse start for the Stormers, with two more tough matches to come....the Sharks away and the Chiefs at home. If the coaches were watching the same game I was, there are some early concerns:
1) Do you now drop Jantjies for the reliable Grant, or show some belief in your big pick!
2) What about the front row and particularly Kitshoff......they lost most scrums yesterday.
3) Was the lineout throwing just an aberration. When Etzebeth joins Bekker the Stormers should have dominance in the lineouts....but not if the ball sails 3 feet over the jumpers.
4) The loosies were a one man, Vermeulen, band. Is Elstadt really a loosie and is Schalk fit to take over from Kolisi.
5) De Allende has a real pace problem. He is certainly a big unit, but I think he is going to be carved up by the faster NZ teams. Hell he made Wynand look fast! The answer is obvious, slot Jean back in his better 12 position and bring in de Jongh.
6) Then we get to Taute. So it was a first game, like Jantjies. But his boot is really weak and he has no vision from the back. He was also taken down by the first tackler every time. I'd rather have Aplon or Pietersen back there.....with the strong van den Heever on the wing.
Coetzee has a slew of problems after only one game....with some obvious, but politically difficult solutions. It will be fascinating to see what direction he takes.
