M
Moulder
Guest
The 2nd half was good but the first half where they let in two tries and kicked possession away needlessly is why they lost. Stupid game plan.
2012 S15R12 Stormers vs Waratahs @ Newlands
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kiap
Steve Williams (59)
M
Moulder
Guest
Strong game from B Foley, excellent under the high ball, good kick returns and injects himself into the backline well.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
M
Moulder
Guest
Well the first half tactics were clearly the negatives, not sure who came up with the idea of kicking the ball away even inside the Stormers' half literally every time Barnes touched the ball.
Vanuatu Chiefs
Sydney Middleton (9)
The positives for the Tahs as usual came up front. Front row solid and the scrum, especially in the 1st half, was superior. Although the Tahs won their lineouts there was some scrappy ball which put McKibbin on the back foot.
Both of the Stormers 1st half tries came off the back of penalties. The 2nd ball on the field in the lead up to the 2nd try just added to the Tahs' torment.
Although the Tahs had plenty of possession in the 1st 20 mins it was kicked away aimlessly by Barnes with a series of unimaginative "up & unders" that were too long for the chasers to truly compete. The SA commentator wondered whether Barnes was attempting a world record of Guinness proportions! It might just be my perception but he seems to kick far more judiciously for the Wallabies - granted it's not usually from 10. 16-3 down at half-time.
Kane Douglas ' surging run led to a quick interchange to put Horne in shortly after half-time; close to Horne's 1st touch of the ball such had been the disdain shown to use the backline.
Another excellent strike from McKibbin saw the deficit reduced to 16-13 only 7 mins into the 2nd term. Although the equally accurate Grant soon took it to 19-13. At that stage it looked like more points were still on offer for both teams
After some excellent counter rucking & keeping the ball in hand, Kepu sadly dropped the pill & an almost certain try went beggiing which could've seen the Tahs take an unlikely lead. To add insult to injury Kepu was belatedly penalised for interfering with a would be defender.
The Tahs kept on pressing but a turnover/penalty often came just before ascendency was established. Yet another desparate close loss that more attacking intent/creativity in the 1st half could've avoided.
Both of the Stormers 1st half tries came off the back of penalties. The 2nd ball on the field in the lead up to the 2nd try just added to the Tahs' torment.
Although the Tahs had plenty of possession in the 1st 20 mins it was kicked away aimlessly by Barnes with a series of unimaginative "up & unders" that were too long for the chasers to truly compete. The SA commentator wondered whether Barnes was attempting a world record of Guinness proportions! It might just be my perception but he seems to kick far more judiciously for the Wallabies - granted it's not usually from 10. 16-3 down at half-time.
Kane Douglas ' surging run led to a quick interchange to put Horne in shortly after half-time; close to Horne's 1st touch of the ball such had been the disdain shown to use the backline.
Another excellent strike from McKibbin saw the deficit reduced to 16-13 only 7 mins into the 2nd term. Although the equally accurate Grant soon took it to 19-13. At that stage it looked like more points were still on offer for both teams
After some excellent counter rucking & keeping the ball in hand, Kepu sadly dropped the pill & an almost certain try went beggiing which could've seen the Tahs take an unlikely lead. To add insult to injury Kepu was belatedly penalised for interfering with a would be defender.
The Tahs kept on pressing but a turnover/penalty often came just before ascendency was established. Yet another desparate close loss that more attacking intent/creativity in the 1st half could've avoided.
Richo
John Thornett (49)
Does every single person in a leadership position from VC to coach have fucking rocks for brains? Or was it more important to "not lose" in RSA than make the finals? Wouldn't be surprised if that was a KPI.
It does seem to be the over-arching mantra - "Try not to lose". At the moment, I have no coherent thoughts about what the Tahs need to do.
As much as it delights more than a few fans of other teams to see the Tahs so low, with the limited playing stocks in this country, it serves no-one well to have a "strong" team in terms of talent (or potential talent) floundering around the arse end of the table.
As much as it delights more than a few fans of other teams to see the Tahs so low, with the limited playing stocks in this country, it serves no-one well to have a "strong" team in terms of talent (or potential talent) floundering around the arse end of the table.
TSR
Mark Ella (57)
Absolutely agree Cyclo - Australian rugby is poorer for the current plight of the Waratahs. As much as anything winning is a habit and you want to be picking as many 'winners' in the Wallabies as possible. By this I don't mean for a second you don't pick the best players in each position - but teams that have extended success normally have a core group or leaders who back themselves in any situation and, invariably, come good in a tight contest.
Of course it is a 'chicken and the egg' situation - that confidence normally comes from success - and doesn't override the need for a successful game plan and good execution.
Of course it is a 'chicken and the egg' situation - that confidence normally comes from success - and doesn't override the need for a successful game plan and good execution.
Vanuatu Chiefs
Sydney Middleton (9)
Perhaps the collective thinking from the outset was that it had been raining & the slippery conditions could force the Stormers into error with the "aerial raids". OK as a plan A. However, the tactic was used ad nauseum by Barnes & the Stormers' backs (& everyone else) could see it coming & were ready to defuse any threat which was impotent given the inaacuracy of the kicks. There appeared to be no plan B even when the Tahs had the ball in good field position.
In the 2nd half Barnes produced 2 excellent "banana style" kicks that both found the line & Foley also produced a significant touch finder. The Tahs then gained the benefit of field position from which they applied pressure. Sadly, an error/penalty deprived them of much needed points. Yet it was frustratingly clear that had the 2nd half kicking tactics been employed earlier the deficit probably wouldn't have been as great.
The basis of a more successful team is there, (there were some good individual performances); there's a failure to produce a well structured 80mins team effort.
In the 2nd half Barnes produced 2 excellent "banana style" kicks that both found the line & Foley also produced a significant touch finder. The Tahs then gained the benefit of field position from which they applied pressure. Sadly, an error/penalty deprived them of much needed points. Yet it was frustratingly clear that had the 2nd half kicking tactics been employed earlier the deficit probably wouldn't have been as great.
The basis of a more successful team is there, (there were some good individual performances); there's a failure to produce a well structured 80mins team effort.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Random observations:
- A battle of two teams that play not to lose. One of them really knows how to do it well.
- The Stormers will not win this competition with this game plan unless they keep winning and play the final at home.
- They Stormers have to sign a new backline coach. With that kind of firepower to not score tries is a crime.
- The Tahs need to sigh a new board, administration, coaching team, cleaner, cook, tea lady, gardener, driver, person who paints the lines. That should do it.
- The Tahs scrum is excellent
- The Stormers scrum has gone to that toilet in Trainspotting
- Eben Etzebeth is an animal and for a 20 year old he is freakishly strong. Imagine in 3 years? Scary.
- Stormers have an even bigger back row crisis with Kolisi now broken
- Someone should slap Pakalani. What a little twat for carrying on.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
I didn't watch the game... what did he do this time?
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
MrMouse
Bob Loudon (25)
Ouch. Feel free to quote me for the review. Like, make that the entire review.I would like that but I can't. At least you guys don't have to write the review
I'm not sure if anyone actually reads them any more either
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