Super 14 update and Stormers vs Cheetahs
The fight for the Super 14 semifinals is heating up, with only 1 team assured of a place (Crusaders) and two unbeatens (Crusaders and Sharks). The current standings are here
SARugby.com ? Logs
South African teams have not dominated as much as they did last year. The Sharks look really good. Under a new coach, the Stormers lost their first three games and looked to be out of it, but they have bounced right back into the mix with a strong tour of Australia and New Zealand and then a beatdown of the Cheetahs today. They could be in the top four with a win next week, which no one would have guessed when they set off for Australia last month.
Our family went to the game today. My daughter said she liked the cheerleaders best, although she was disappointed that "they're doing modern, I prefer hip-hop". She also was disappointed that there were no Buckeyes to be found anywhere. I have some work to do there but clearly have had some success. I must say that the "Vodababes" bump and grind routine and stipping off their camo to expose the bikinis underneath was something to watch. The wife said, and I quote, "too bad you can't send this to your buddies on BuckeyePlanet". Quite, but here is at least a shot from
The Vodacom Stormers - Official Website before the camos come off.
South African rugby has moved 180 degrees from the days of emphasizing size over speed. One doesn't really get an idea of how much until you see it in person. The Cheetahs are among the fastest teams out there and the Stormers repeatedly moved the ball to the outside with ease and ran around them. They were a bit too predictable in their cut-back running for me, but both teams showed much greater emphasis of the fundamentals than SA teams in the past (clearly lined up across the field onsides, setting up for second and third phase, rucking and mauling). The game remained physical and there were some hits so hard that you could clearly hear it in the stands (remember, football fans, these guys aren't wearing pads or equipment).
Schalk Burger was somewhat unimpressive. The press report below says that the Stormers lost the second half, but when they got up 31-3, they substituted a lot and gave some of the bench some experience.
Game report from
SARugby.com ? News ? Stormers blow Cheetahs away (excerpt)
The Stormers announced their return to Newlands with an in-the-end comfortable 34-22 victory over the visiting Cheetahs in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
The Stormers, who continued their surge up the Super 14 table, produced a mixed bag on the day: An outstanding first half were they managed four tries and led by 21 points and a contrastingly poor second half display which they lost 19-10.
The Stormers were sensational in the first stanza and hit their straps virtually from kick off. After Jongi Nokwe allowed the ball to bounce into touch five metres from his line the Cheetahs were put under immense pressure and conceded the five metre scrum after carrying the ball back in in-goal. From the subsequent scrum, Peter Grant barged at the Cheetahs defence, and from the next phase nuggety Enrico Januarie dived over to give the Cape side the early lead. Grant obliged with the conversion to take the lead to 7-0.
This try in the second minute set the marker for the rest of the first half, as a rampant Stormers side exploited the Cheetahs? defence frailties and went on a try-scoring spree. They attacked with an urgency and confidence that has finally returned to Stormers rugby, and they matched the big forwards of the Cheetahs manfully, and even dominated the break-down at times, despite the immense presence of brilliant youngsters Heinrich Brussouw and Duanne Vermeulen.
The Stormers, however, firing on all cylinders and clearly intent on giving the local fans something to shout about, dominated virtually every facet of the game in the first stanza, and were rewarded for their endeavour.
Luke Watson broke wonderfully out-wide and the marauding presence of Andries Bekker on the wing saw them score their second try in the 12 minute after the TMO confirmed the dot-down. Bekker?s foot had flirted with the line, but replays showed a clear try had been scored.
Confidence abounded after their dream start, and with further tries to Conrad Jantjes and Sireli Naqelevuki, the Stormers fans were licking their lips and urging their side on to score fifty.
Naqelevuki, the big Fijian who scored a brace on the day, and who has now become the new Newlands darling, was a tower of strength on attack and his try after the hooter in the first period, where he juggled and then gathered a cross-field kick from Grant, was a wonderful exhibition of Fijian flair and athleticism. It was the cherry on top of a wonderful first half display, in which the Stormers played with a freedom not seen at Newlands since the hey-day of the Men in Black.
Other stand-out performers for the Stormers were Tonderai Chavhanga, who came close to scoring, captain courageous Jean de Villiers, who is back to his best, and the ever-improving Peter Grant at first receiver, who crossed the gain line on numerous occasions.
With the bonus point secured and a lead of 21 points at the break, it would not have been hard for the Stormers to take their foot off the pedal. And despite a lovely try from Naqelevuki just after the break - where he stepped two defenders with seeming ease- complacency got the better of the home-side in the second half. Instead of going for the kill, they backed off and allowed the Cheetahs- clearly a wounded animal- a chance to build up a head of steam.
