DHL Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has some tough decisions to make this week after a poor showing in key areas last week.
The Stormers lost by a margin of 8 points but the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story. New addition Elton Jantjies missed all of his attempts at goal in the first half, missing 4 kicks and leaving the Cape based team to go into half time trailing 12 – 0.
The Stormers outscored the Bulls 17 – 16 in the second half, thanks in part to the introduction of Joe Pieterson who was 100% accurate on the night and left most of the Stormers supporters wondering what could have been had he been on the field for 80 minutes.
Deon Fourie had a shaky start in the no 2 jersey, butchering lineout after lineout before getting some right towards the end. This must worry Coetzee a great deal as Tiaan Liebenberg is not yet ready to return to the squad. Martin Bezuidenhout, the Lions player called up as cover, impressed in the warm-up game against Boland and must be considered as a starter against the Sharks this weekend. Morné Steyn took full advantage of the weak Stormers lineout to punch ball after ball behind the back 3 and forcing the Stormers to play most of the first half in their own half.
The Bulls front row caused a great deal of havoc at scrum time and Matthew Proudfoot must be scratching his head at what went wrong. The ignominious sight of uncontested scrums in the second half will also leave the SARU administrators regretting their decision to not play a 8 man bench this season (bringing the match day squad to 23), which would have meant an additional front row forward to cover for Steven Kitshoff who, after a very promising season in 2012 was brought back to earth in no uncertain terms by Werner Kruger.
There were some encouraging signs in the backline however as the Stormers managed to put some very exciting passages of play together resulting in 2 tries, with Damian de Allende having a solid showing in his first Super Rugby outing. Regular center Juan De Jongh will be available for selection against the Sharks but some will question whether De Allende shouldn’t be left at No 12 to counter the very physical Frans Steyn who crossed the gain line with impunity against the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Peter Grant is also available for selection at flyhalf and the points machine must surely come into consideration, although to drop Jantjies could do real harm to his confidence, who in his defense, only rejoined the team a week ago and didn’t train with the team last Monday. Jantjes has the potential to ignite the backline in a way that Grant seems unable to do and could be one of the missing pieces in the Stormers puzzle if he can recover from last Friday’s performance.
Good news is that there are no injury concerns and all the players who played will be available for selection this week.
Some tough calls to make this week. What will Allister do? Rugby Talk will keep you updated.
I am VERY curious to see what happens at flyhalf this weekend.
Same old, same old for the WP / Stormers. Powder puff up front, no idea in the backline.
Grant back at 10, prepare for another borefest.
there is only one decision to make….fire Allister Coetzee.
how do you have an attacking backline – with a 10 that can create, yet at every opportunity you kick possesion away.
the Bulls were running the ball – which we all know they don’t normally do. Elton Jantjies was bought so that the Stormers can use his attacking game, since when is kicking the ball up field attacking?
If I was Coetzee, I would stick with Jantjies at 10, Taute at 15, and Joe Pieterson on one of the wings. However, if he continues with his conservative game plan, he might as well send Jantjies and Taute back to Joburg, because they will be wasted. A good point has been made on another blog that most of the players that they have stolen from the Lions have never reached their potential in the Cape. Players like Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Brits, Anton Van Zyl, Ricky Januarie etc.
Leave Jantjies at 10, he’ll find form again
Rather get a 12 that plays the gap and not the man <- Stormers biggest problem
@ Lion4ever:
What does that tell you about the administration?
Also, compare CC to SR – both coached by the same person yet totally different styles of rugby. How he does that is simply genius. stupid – but genius.
@ Gena_ZA:
that is where de Jongh comes in – De Allende and JdV are crash players and both poor 12’s
AC must stick with Jantjies. I think he is a very good fh, right now he had so much trauma in his young life with him losing his Dad. He also needs some games to get match fit as he has had none until Friday. He is a very good fh and to drop him now would be unfair. Keep him and I feel he will reward Stormers for keeping him playing. He is too good to give up on right now. Jantjies will come right.
Agreed but will propably stick with De Allende cause he is big and facing Frans Steyn…
Mine is bigger that yours sindrome, not mine can like to run around yours (if you get my drift)
@ Gena_ZA:
LMAO – i do get your drift
@Puma – i surely hope AC sticks with EJ and manages him properly. there is no need another Morne in the Bok setup so he should be allowed to play his natural game. Also, Stormers should start with another kicker on the field to help boost his confidence.
10 @ fayaaz:
I would start with Joe at fb and have Taute on the bench. That way you have another kicker. Taute too never had a good game on Friday.
I doubt AC will drop Jantjies at this stage, he knows that would all but ruin the youngsters confidence. Won’t do Jantjies any good if he is dropped, more harm. He is a quality fh and will come right.
Where is JdJ? Is he injured?
Another thing think Stormers should be a bit worried about Deon as he is costing you with his throw-ins. Who else do you have at hooker? I know you have some injuries there.
@ Puma:
first off…im not a Stormers supporter, more a Stormers fan.
secondly, i agree on starting Joe at FB and Tuate on the bench. I thought that would be the team sheet for Friday nights game. Joe’s experience will have a calming effect on Jantjies in that he can play his natural running game without having to worry about kicking goals.
JdJ is injured yeas..should be back in a week or two from what i can remember.
yes i noticed that Deon was a bit swak at lineout time, especially when the Stormers where on attack. Tiaan Liebenberg is the other hooker but he is injured and i think Skarra is in the wider training group.
For me, Deon had a stellar season at flank in the CC but then he would be up against Siya, Rynhardt etc.
It was scrappy from both sides. They were both rusty and lacked match fitness. Could see it with the start stop rugby both played trying to find each other.
I would go for
10. Jantjies
11. Habana
12. Taute
13. De Jongh
14. Aplon
15. Joe Petersen
@ Loosehead:
Yhat coming from a Bulls supporter who watches how Steyn kicks everything away. Oh the irony
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