Stormers are the real deal
What a difference a year makes. Last year the Stormers had never played a New Zealand team leading up to the play-offs and got absolutely thrashed by the Chiefs in their home quarter-final. However it seems the Stormers learnt from their mistakes this year and secured a 34-26 win against the same opposition, handing the Chiefs their first taste of defeat this year.
Due to last year’s hiding and the teams the Stormers have faced thus far, not many would have given them a chance against this Chiefs outfit, but they proved their naysayers wrong, and then some. They turned the tide and continue their unbeaten run in this years campaign. They know hold an unassailable, 19 point lead in the Africa 2 conference ahead of the Cheetahs. Although they have yet to travel, you would think that even if they are unable to pick up any points abroad, a play-off spot looks to be cemented by virtue of the conferencing system.
They next set up a mouth-watering clash against the Lions in Cape Town on Saturday, with the honour of being South Africa’s best up for grabs. A game which is definitely not to be missed.
Bulls coach in hot water
In arguably one of the easiest fixtures the Bulls will have this season, they managed to secure to yet another loss and ultimately put their title hopes to bed.
Not much can be said about the Bulls at the moment. A fixture which, given the nature of the franchise, would normally be seen as a walkover, was anything but on the weekend. The Bulls play the most one-dimensional rugby, and as a result, become easily predictable. The trouble now is fans are running out of players to blame and have shifted their attention to Bulls coach Nollis Marais. A coach who led them to the final of the Currie Cup, who is being called to step down. Probably a bit too harsh and premature, but if Marais doesn’t change his tactics soon, it might be justified. With games against the Jaguares and Cheetahs at home over the next fortnight, you would have to think if they can’t bag two wins there, Marais may find himself in some trouble.
Injuries definitely have not helped the Bulls this year but a team of their history and calibre, you might just see them restore some pride at the used-to-be fortress, Loftus Versfeld.
SBW return shadowed by controversy
In the highly anticipated return of Sonny Bill Williams at the weekend, it wasn’t his return that got the attention, it was how he returned that turned some heads.
Williams made his debut for the Aucklanders, but it was his strapping that covered the sponsors’ logos that got heads turning. It has since been revealed that Williams, who is a Muslim, did it for religious beliefs. This is based on the issue of banks charging interest and fees on loans. The sponsors have come to terms with Williams’ stand however New Zealand’s prime minister Bill English does not. I guess we will have to wait and see how it pans out but I couldn’t be more excited of what SBW has in store for us, on and off the field.
Cronje has the skills that kills
In what was a weekend where players were on the hunt to sell seats, Lionel Cronje produced a gem and a half wrap around dummy followed by a delicate grubber to set up one of the tries of the season.
His nerves of steel to produce this audacious attempt in what was a high scoring, tightly contested game, was the special part. Although the Sharks may not share the same amount of joy as myself, as they let Cronjé go to the Kings, and now face a problematic fly-half dilemma, it was a great piece of individual brilliance from the somewhat veteran. It made for incredible viewing and only gets better the more you watch it.
Take a bow Dillyn Leyds
Leyds not only threw one of the most insane passes I have ever seen but it was equally important in terms of the Stormers uneaten streak remaining in tact. It took a lot of guts from the youngster to throw such a ridiculous pass but it proved to be a game-changer and one that will be on Super Rugby highlights reels for years and years to come.
By Tristan Renaud
I think those two video clips essentially sum up what is missing from NH rugby. While often flashy and ineffective SH teams aren’t afraid to give it a go every now and then when they have nothing to lose and when it works it is septactular
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7xfAs-Yqhk
You’re completely right! Check that try out too, it must have been an incredible game.
It’s innovation, invention in attack that is missing form NH rugby, also in speed of thought of which options to take; ie to run,.pass or kick.
It certainly is fun to watch sometimes.
But at the end of the day it’s like the difference between 20/20 and test cricket. It’s great fun to watch and the players try all kinds of weird stuff (some of which works well enough to make it through to the main game) but it’s frothy and insubstantial and too much of it starts to become samey and tedious.
Take the Lionel Cronje clip – amusing to watch. But try that in a more serious competition and he’d have been buried instantly by the defence and would have emerged from the ensuing ruck looking somewhat sheepish.
Like 20/20 though, there’s no doubt it helps to improve certain skills (whilst not aiding others much). I am personally just pleased that i can dip in and out of it and not have it as my main competition.
You seem typically smug & ignorant & you particularly remind me why I respect English rugger buggers. You presumably pref a team produced, from yr ‘main competition’, who went try-less in Dublin? S rugger produced the last 2 b2b WC’s fella. Perhaps because (in NZ’s case @ least) it’s effective? With the Lions rapidly upcoming in yr rear view, perhaps you’ll also find it ‘fun, amusing, frothy and insubstantial’ when the AB’s, picked from this environment, confront the yr lot (arguably) largely from yr self same ‘main competition’? You must be feeling confident.