It’s time for the Stormers to step up!

After many lean seasons for Western Province and Stormers rugby, it is time for the Stormers to step up and show that cape rugby is a force to be reckoned with once again.

CHOKERS?

The Stormers (and Western Province) have failed to deliver under pressure during recent times. Critics have noted that the Stormers once again faltered under pressure when losing to the Sharks 2 weeks ago.

With a massive home crowd expected, can the Stormers deliver for their fans?

Earlier this week, Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said, “I will be really disappointed if, after we have worked so hard for 13 weeks in week 14 we say ‘Oh no, there is a hell of a lot of pressure on us. I am going to urge them to live the moment, to embrace the pressure of playing in a semi-final, to enjoy it. This is what we have worked so hard towards. It’s an exciting week. We are at Newlands playing in a semi-final in one of the toughest competitions.”

“That is the attitude I know the players will have when they pitch up at training at the start of the build-up week. We spoke throughout the season about getting to enjoy what we are doing and play the best of the team’s and individuals’ performance in front of a passionate home crowd. It (pressure) has been there for a while, and we’ve obviously got it right so we can’t worry about the pressure. We’ve got to go out there and win this game” said Coetzee.

Coetzee believes his side just needs to continue doing what they’ve done all season, as it has been proven to produce the right results. “Our systems have been working for us and they have got us this far, and there is no reason for us to suddenly change it now” said Coetzee.

THE BEST DEFENCE IN THE COMPETITION

The Stormers have been superb on defence this season. In 13 matches they have conceded just 17 tries and points in total, stifling the opposition into errors and frustration.

The intensity of the tackling, the teamwork and making double hits has allowed the Stormers to gain momentum on defence, and they’ve also performed well in the loose trio which has allowed them to place real pressure on the opposition at the breakdown.

‘If you can’t go around or through a team, then I suppose there is only one more alternative, you have to go over,’ he told this website. ‘The Cheetahs tried it when they came to Newlands, and the Brumbies enjoyed some success through the kicking game of Matt Giteau. The Waratahs have some great kickers in Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale and even Drew Mitchell, and we are wary of their abilities with the boot.’

TEAM SELECTION

Allister Coetzee has been blessed by the lack of serious injuries this season (other than Joe Pietersen and Wicus Blaauw), and once again he can field an unchanged starting lineup.

The pack remains a strong, settled combination with no glaring weaknesses. It possesses pace, physicality, power and plenty of lineout options. All it requires is a strong performance on the field

In their previous clash with the Waratahs, Coetzee opted for the greater physicality of Ricky Januarie, but with his sublime form, Coetzee has opted to keep Dewaldt Duvenhage at scrumhalf.

Coetzee had this to say about his young scrumhalf, “Dewwies (Duvenhage) has really stood up and the tackle count will verify my statement. I don’t want to make unforced changes at this stage, but I have to say I’m happy with Dewwies’ defence. He’s not only made a lot of tackles, but the kind of positive hits that drive attacking players back. He’ll certainly take that momentum into the semi-final.”

The backline remains the same, and has become a well-drilled cohesive unit.

The ability to retain largely the same side has been a strong contributor towards the success of the Stormers this year. “Obviously when you stick with pretty much the same team you give the players a chance to bond together and to grow together as a team” said Coetzee.

“Having the same side play together over a period of time means that each player in the team knows what he needs to do, where he fits into the strategy. That is obviously a massive plus for us. Continuity is linked to the success of any team” said Coetzee.

THE WRONG TACTICS?

The Waratahs were impressive last week against the Hurricanes and have ended the season strongly, even without two of the influential Wallabies, prop Benn Robinson and number 8 Wycliff Palu.

In an effort to keep the team focused and away from the media hype, the Waratahs have elected to base themselves in Durban instead of Cape Town.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said “We reckon it is a good place to prepare in fine conditions, away from the hype of Cape Town, and then do a hit-and-run raid on Newlands.”
It’s a tactic the Aussies (and Kiwis) have used for games on the highveld, and it hasn’t brought much success. You can’t hide on match day, you have to deal with it and it’s a decision I can’t understand. Better to face the atmosphere and conditions and get used to them rather than different conditions some 1600km away.

MAKING THE CORRECT DECISIONS

Both sides have strong defences. The Stormers strength has been their mindset, and they have great firepower out wide with Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana and Gio Aplon. However for both sides, it’s about being switched on mentally to play for the full 80.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said this week, “We have to ensure that our minds are right. We lost heavily at Newlands in round two when we did not have the right mental focus. We did not perform well and this week is about getting mentally switched on.”

“Their defensive record speaks for itself. It is outstanding, and on the back of that, they have been able to frustrate the opposition and force them into taking chances they would not ordinarily take. That said, we are the third best team in the competition, so it will be a huge contest on Saturday to see who can unlock the opposition defence”

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has said the key is to read the situation and adapt accordingly. He has mentioned that it’s important to kick when warranted but important to keep the ball in hand when the opportunity presents itself.

As he rightly suggests, it is performing the desired actions with purpose that is most important.

“The Stormers enjoy the collisions and keeping the ball on attack, but I want to see the correct decisions being taken,’ he said. ‘When players kick, there must be a reason for that kick, and if they attack, it will be because there’s an opportunity to run. We have to get the balance right” said Coetzee.

Coetzee also mentioned the importance of the squad and that’s another area that I believe the Stormers should be able to gain the advantage with later in the game.

“It’s the positivity from the bench and the guys not in the 22 that’s made a helluva difference. That’s shown the character of a championship side. The starting XV gather before kickoff in a huddle and scream “Stormers, yes!” but it’s not just about their positive attitude. It’s also about the attitude of those guys not on the park, and those not in the 22″ said Coetzee.

PREDICTION

Both sides are very similar in playing pattern, but in my mind the execution of the Stormers should shade the Waratahs in each area. Their defence, physicality, skills at the breakdown and class out wide should see the Stormers edge the Waratahs in each facet of play and secure a victory.

Their may not be many try scoring opportunities, but the Stormers have top class finishers which should see them able to cross the line, whilst the Waratahs are full of endeavour but lack the finishing ability. As long as Kurtley Beale and Drew Mitchell are watched closely, the Waratahs attack should be fairly predicatable and able to be shut down.


Stormers by 13.

Stormers:

1. Wicus Blaauw
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
3. Brok Harris
4. Adriaan Fondse
5. Andries Bekker
6. Schalk Burger (c)
7. Francois Louw
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Dewaldt Duvenhage
10. Peter Grant
11. Bryan Habana
12. Juan de Jongh
13. Jaque Fourie
14. Gio Aplon
15. Joe Pietersen

16. Deon Fourie
17. Eusebio Guinazu
18. Anton van Zyl
19. Pieter Louw
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Willem de Waal
22. Tim Whitehead

Waratahs:

1. Dan Palmer
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Al Baxter
4. Dean Mumm
5. Kane Douglas
6. patrick mcCutcheon
7. Phil Waugh (c)
8. Ben Mowen
9. Luke Burgess
10. Berrick Barnes
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Tom Carter
13. Rob Horne
14. Lachie Turner
15. Kurtley Beale

16. Damien Fitzpatrick
17. Jeremy Tilse
18. Chris Thomson
19. Dave Dennis
20. Josh Holmes
21. Daniel Halangahu
22. Rory Sidey

Previous Super 14 results:

2006: Stormers 26, Waratahs 32 (Cape Town)
2007: Stormers 16, Waratahs 10 (Sydney)
2008: Stormers 13, Waratahs 13 (Cape Town)
2009: Stormers 6, Waratahs 12 (Sydney)
2010: Stormers 27, Waratahs 6 (Cape Town)