The Stormers limp into Auckland this week carrying a fair few injuries to key personnel.
Will they be able to overcome the loss of their regular flyhalf and midfield? In order to maintain their lead at the top of the South African conference, they really need to pull off a win against the Blues. The home side will themselves be smarting after losing to the Reds last week.
Expect Pat Lam’s boys to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Stormers, as another loss for them could see the Crusaders threaten their position at the top of the New Zealand log.
Kick-off in Auckland is at 09h35 SA Time.
Blues -15 Lachie Munro, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tevita Mailau.
Subs: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 James King, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Rene Ranger.
Stormers – 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Ricky Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (c), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Wicus Blaauw
Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Brok Harris, 18 Steven Kitshoff, 19 Anton van Zyl, 20 Dewaldt Duvenage, 21 Danie Poolman, 22 Nick Koster.
Tweet
Hoping for the best.
Expecting the worst(ish). 😐
Cant see the Stormers winning this one. But anything is possible in this comp. Blues to take it by 16…
now we have the thread so let’s hope someone is watching 😛
@McLovin (Comment 1) :
@Viking (Comment 2) :
Either way I think this is going to be a cracker.
Priority one is for the Sharks to finish 1st in the SA conference. So for that reason, go Blues!
@Ben (Comment 5) : perhaps a draw would be better 😀
@McLovin (Comment 1) : Sorry Lovie…I think you are right..
@rekinek (Comment 6) : Only if the Sharks win. Too early to tell. 🙂
@Ben (Comment 8) : still few rounds to go, wouldn’t like to have blues or reds too far ahead. still hopeful …
I went all out here and said blues by 15, sorry lovings and wpw’s… We have to end tops 🙂
@Ice (Comment 7) : @franshark (Comment 10) : Que Sera, Sera… 🙂
I am looking forward to this game. I am just hoping I am able to watch more than the first 5 minutes…
@McLovin (Comment 11) : whatever will be will be… 😀
On SB Naas picked the Blues by 10.
And the rest:
Picks for Blues 69.96%
Picks for Stormers 29.86%
Is anyone going to watch the game and provide updates?
@Viking (Comment 15) : Maybe. 😉
Alistair must be trying to please PDivvy – cant be any other reason why The Mechanic would start 2 games in a row…Stormers gonna battle.
Feel like a Traitor this season – the way the comp is set out means that we have to now support the foreigners over our own… 😥
Blues 3 – 0 Stormers
3min
@McLovin (Comment 16) : PLEEEEZEEE Rachel!! 😉
Stormers 1st line out a mess. 👿
blues 3: Stormers 0 …four mins in
Both sides looking to run the ball.
Stormers lose another line out. 👿 👿
3rd line out messed ujp!
Looks like it’s bucketing down as well.
@McLovin (Comment 23) : How come – they mos have the incumbent SB Locks their… 🙄 (no wonder the likes of Sykes et al are leaving) 😈
Stormers get a shot at goal.
Line outs are an absolute disaster. 😐
Lionel missed first oportunity at the posts
@Ice (Comment 26) : It’s the hooker.
I thought the game started at 09:40. I was about to say that i had excellent timing. Breakfast done, dishwasher loaded (no kette isn’t drunk) and ready to watch TV.
@McLovin (Comment 23) : 😯 How do you miss Bekker Towers?
Blues 3 – 0 Stormers
8min
wow -why is there nobody at the game?
@Viking (Comment 31) : Exactly.
How long into the game?
@robdylan (Comment 33) : It’s NZ. 😈
Sorry when I typed that up – that comment wasn’t there… Does it seem scrappy?
Stormers are looking good but trying to run with 4 backs inside the tram lines is a bit silly.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 35) : 10min
10 mins….
That try was too eeasy for the Blues
Matthewson Try after running a Jantjes kick back at the Stormers
Blues try.
The Blues to win for Sharks sake, but hopefully the Stormers put up a big fight… It is like football now, where anybody but your own team is the ENEMY!!!!
Blues 10 Stormers 0
@Just a Fan (Comment 41) : Waay to easy. Going to be a looong day at the office for the Stormers. 😐
McAlister converts
Blues 10 – 0 Stormers
13min
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 44) : 😥 yeah how sad is that…. I DO NOT like supporting any NZ team!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 42) : I wonder how many tries he has given away from that play?
@McLovin (Comment 46) : I don’t know.
Other than that try is has been all Stormers.
All because not ONE Stormers back retreated to provide Jantjes with an option other than to hoof it downfield.
@McLovin (Comment 46) : Yeah ‘ol Schalkie is gonna run himself ragged….he is trying to cover all the gaps…
@lostfish (Comment 49) : He DID kick it into the Blues half and then slipped on the follow up, but there were a few other stormers who slipped some tackles
is this a time to start asking Stormers not to give Blues a BP point or am I panicking ??
Doesn’t look good for the boys from the cape. I have a feeling they are going to get a massive hiding today.
Habana passes pass to someones ankles it was a CRAP pass, delivery, action, reaction everything from Habana sucked on that one.
@Just a Fan (Comment 48) : It will definitely take some getting used to… Especially since we are patriotic by design… GO BLUES!!! 😉
looked like shoulder charge to me
Thank goodness its early morning – if the Stomers loose then my Mom only sit with a beblixemde ou toppie….not a beblixemde AND plastered ou Topppie!
@McLovin (Comment 46) : perhaps Stormers, after being criticised that they can’t chase the game, are now purposefully falling behind so that they can beat them in the second half. ❗ (there should be an icon with a shining globe 😛 )
Ali Williams tries to put Habana out of his misery by standing in front of him like a brickwall. 😯 Habana down and hurting.
Cronje slots a PK for the Blues not rolling away at the ruck
Stormers 3 Bues 10..and THATS definitley looked like a shoulder charge
Blues 10 – 3 Stormers
18min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) : So no first choice 10 , 12 or 13 and then you have Habana in the mix as well. Thats one way to give the opposition the advantage.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) : that is true… but he seems to kick whenever he has the ball and there have been a few tries coming directly from his up and unders to the opposition.
Cronje tries to run it from his 22 and knocks it on in the tackle.
Blues get close from that before winning a PK and going at goal.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : That’s silly of Ali…..now the Stormers might get a decent replacement in place of Habana 😈
Blues 13 Stormers 3
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : Habana is not a has been; but is not a Bok wing in my opinion anymore; his selection would be totally unjustified… Mvovo, JPP, Basson, Gio etc are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY ahead of him…
Go Stormers!! 🙄 😕
Mc Alister slots it
Blues 13 – 3 Stormers
21 min
@Pokkel (Comment 67) :
Habana seems to have infected Rokocoko.
Rokocoko fumbles the kick-off over his head and the Stormers have a LO inside the blues 22.
Stormers win a PK after the LO maul. 20m out
Are there any Stormers players showing some hope of not being completely demolished?
Cronje having his 2nd medical assistance after the knock-on in the tackle earlier before now taking the shot at goal.
@wpw (Comment 70) : It ain’t over till the fat scrumhalf runs out of breath 😈
These yougsters have really nice legs these days… 😉
EISH!
Cronje fluffs the kick and walks off the field with the assistance of the medics.
Nobody ready to come on and Cronje has to go back on
@Pokkel (Comment 77) : 😆 😆 😆
Duvenhage on for Cronje in Jersey 20.
@Pokkel (Comment 77) : 😈
😈 
😈 
😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 80) : That’s trouble for the Stormers…no backup at flyhalf 😯
Kaino has a LOVELY cut above the eye after trying to clean out on Vermeulen as he stands up and their heads colide.
@Pokkel (Comment 77) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 85) : Who’s playing flyhalf now?
@Pokkel (Comment 84) : And who do they bring on when the fat scrumhalf runs out of breath????????????????
@Pokkel (Comment 87) : Duvenhage.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 88) : Eina…..I actually feel sorry for the Stormers……….NOT!!! 😈
Habana tries the usual “WTF are you talking about?” to the ref as he carries a ball back into the in goal and the blues have a 5m attacking scrum.
Blues knock it on and the Stormers have a scrum
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : he was hoping no one would notice
Blues win a PK from THAT scrum as the Stormers whole front row stands up under pressure.
if Cronje is off who do they play at flyhalf ?
Nothing is going right for the Stormers
Blues 16 – Stormers 3
McAlister goes 4 from 4
Blues 16 – 3 Stormers
31min
@rekinek (Comment 95) : the other scrum half
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : let’s hope that they don’t go for a try.
@rekinek (Comment 95) : Duvenhage is playing at flyhalf
@lostfish (Comment 99) : are you serious ?
The Stormers are playing like fairies…..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 101) : any good?
Ouch.
oh my greatness… were playing the Cheetahs next week… 😐 😕
Go Blues by by 8!
@rekinek (Comment 102) : not sure, I have one eye on the rugby and the other on the baby
Looks like the Stormers are going to run out of players before the 80 minutes are up. Whos playing 10?
Elstadt gives away a PK. The Blues tap and go.
At a resultant ruck F louw is Yellow Carded for a cynical incorrect entry.
Burger moans that they should be warned and the ref explains that there are no warnings for cynical infringements.
Where is Elgar Watts? Why wasn’t he taken on tour?
guys that just sounds bad for Stormers 👿 I really don’t want them to disintegrate.
Can Duvenhage kick for poles? What position does Poolman play?
BLues 19 – Stormers 3
Mc Alister goes 5 from 5
Blues 19 – 3 Stormers
34min
@rekinek (Comment 111) : I think Aplon might be the next choice kicker
@Viking (Comment 108) : duvenhage I am being told .Hehe the Stormers would really do with Ruan.
@rekinek (Comment 104) : Hardly had any ball.
i have blues by 4 😳
Was always gonna be hard for the Stormers having lost a classy 10-12-13 axis.
Hope they don’t lose pluck: stand and fight lads!
Kaino and Elstadt having a small go at each other. 😕
The Stormers’ flyhalves are made from glass. Pass that on! 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 116) : Yeah, that’s the stormers problem, no balls! 😆
Breezers falling apart. Hope AC gives them the same speech that Ian Foster gave the Chiefs at halftime last week.
@Ben (Comment 120) : I would but the glass might break. best to keep it in one place 🙂
Stormers easily upset!!!
@rekinek (Comment 115) : HAHAHAHA…I hope I can see the game when I get home on the reruns. I will put money on the Stormers to start using their formards as backs before the end of the game….
@Big Fish (Comment 118) : Elstadt heard you. 🙂
Burger needs to keep is cool with the ref…
you know, more concerning than the injuries, the knock on, and general horrible play is the attitude, we looked beaten even before Cronje went off, team just doesn’t seem interested, which is a big concern for future games.
CJ off, Harris on
Stormers to self destruct in 3…..2….1…. Oh, wait….They already have.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) : Handle with care. Breakable goods inside. 🙂
@rekinek (Comment 115) : or even Andy Goode or Steve Meyer.
Vd Linde has ice on his groin, seems like an injury.
Rokocoko knocks a over the head pass. Scrum Stormers on the Blues 22
Vermeulen kicks back into the scrum wtf???
the question is, can the stormers come back from this in this game? Even if they dont, this should have a big influence on their confidence going forward.
is there ANY stormers player thats trying to play his heart out?
@Ben (Comment 131) : So the Stormers broke how many flyhalves this season? Catriculus or whatever his name is to make his debut before the end of the Super Rugby season…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 133) : Or justice!!!!
The Stormers better pull up their socks very quickly or this might turn out to be a loooong tour for them.
Habana loses it forward in the tackle and the Blues get a PK for something.
Brett kicks into touch
HALF TIME
Blues 19 – 3 Stormers
@KSA Shark © (Comment 126) :
Its a start – I can work with that. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 133) : what an unpleasant thought 😕
@Viking (Comment 138) : ❓
@VanWilder (Comment 136) : I think that Schalk is only at the moment….Frans Louw also – before he got carded…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 140) : eeish thanx. Now Alistair’s turn to do something please.
@Viking (Comment 137) : Wonder where Elgar Watts is???
So rumour has it that when the Stormers released their touring squad list some of the data got corrupted.
It ended with “A.N. Other”. What is was supposed to say was “another flyhalf”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 133) :
I was so tempted to utilise the innuendo option, but women over 40 can be so volatile (in my limited, but very satisfied experience). 😈
@Big Fish (Comment 118) : We’ve had to make do without a classy 10-12-13 axis all season, so they have nothing to complain about.
@Ben (Comment 146) : in front of tv 😕
@rekinek (Comment 145) : At this rate he’s going to have to put a jersey on soon.
@Just a Fan (Comment 144) : is this a sign of how much Jean, Jacque and Peter means to this outfit?
how`s Juan de Jongh playing? that lad should have been at the sharks… 😉
@Ben (Comment 146) : I am sure Elgar Watts is just glad his not there today. IThe Stormers will have to fly in a bunch or replacements next week.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 151) : hehehe
Good day all!
OMG what has happened to the great Stormers???
Did the self destruct mode start after they “hammered” the Sharks?
Over confident???
And here are some shocking stats
territory
Blues 27%
Stormers 73% 😯 😯 😯
Possesion
Blues 44%
Stormers 56%
Breakdowns
Blues 31
Stormers 36
Breakdown Turnovers
Blues 4
Stormers 4
Kicking meters
Blues 473 😯 😯 😯
Stormers 68
Handling Errors
Blues 5
Stormers 9 😯 😯
LOs won against the Throw
Blues 3 😯
Stormers 1
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 155) : too many key injuries
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 155) : Nope all that happened is they went on tour.
HOw I would love to be a fly on the wall of the Stormers dressing room right now. Wonder what is being said or strategised?
@Ben (Comment 146) : where`s that young guy form Ikeys? Kiriakis or something? or even the Maties flyhalf?
maybe they should loan Jaco vd Westhuizen from the bulls? 😎
@Big Fish (Comment 148) : Scapped my reply..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 156) : Thats just sad. They have all the stats in their favour to be ahead in the game.
@Big Fish (Comment 148) : I originally had the I in ice as a captial and thought I better change it 🙂
@Big Fish (Comment 148) : I saw it… 🙄 😆
From what I can see it looks like Duvenhage has been told “All you do is pass to #12, don’t try anything”
@VanWilder (Comment 152) : The Stormers are ABSOLUTLEY missing those 3 – IMO..De Jongh wasnt so hot in the 1st 40…but he seems to have bucked up a bit
@VanWilder (Comment 160) : Not even I would wish that upon the Stormers 😆
Louw back on….
Louw back on from the YC.
Referee lets the captains talk to their players about the tacklers not rolling away.
Duvenhage slots the PK
Blues 19 – 6 Stormers
43min
@Ice (Comment 161) :
Just like you bokkie, my bait is very fresh. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 163) :
Survival instinct kicking in lad: thank your monkey ancestors. Or so Chuck Darwin claims.
Blues take the ball off the Stormers in the scrum 😯
January is un believably slow – puts his entire team under pressure
@Pokkel (Comment 167) : yip, youre right. rather the bulls have him. 😈
I caught the closing 14 minute stanza – (with the sound off) – it seemed that The Stormers were losing the plot in that chapter…
Good steal by Januarie after putting pressure on a loose ball.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 175) : but he gave it back again
The Stormers will be more focused I reckon, but think The Blues have this one…
4 phases of attack and then Burger drops it in the tackle.
Duvenage not bad at 10 thus far.
Clearly the Stormers dont have much trust in their fowwards…they should e picking and driving more…conditions too wet and slippery to play a running/passing game.
Kitshoff and Liebenberg on
They bringing on a laaitjie!
who is the ginger?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 163) : LOL at you guys & gal! 😀
De Jongh breaks through two good tackles before the Stormers knock it on
11 handling errors now
nothing working for the Stormers today
Double handling errors of blues
Mc Alister breaks and chips ahead after collecting a charge down by De jongh
Habana cleans up well in his 22
Januarie clears off the side of his boot LO blues inside the Stormers 22
Blues 5m from the tryline now
if the blues score a try now there will be no hope for the stormers
Great defense Stormers!
Habana injured his shoulder as they took Kaino into touch 5m from the Stormers line. He stays on
what round and hates gingers??
The world… 😉
my best friends a ginger, and he absolutely hates that joke. 😆
Januarie put it in touch from his 5m line to bring some relief.
Blues win the LO and attack.
Stormers dot it down
22 drop out
no one up to help schalky
Schalk Burger KNOWS how to stop a Stormers backline on attack. All you do is pass a looping pass and they all stop and wait for the ball to come down to earth again. 😕
De jongh TRY!!!!!!!!!!
Stormers Try! Well deserved
Try de Jongh!
Try De Jonge , Damn we need this guy!!!
I think they should loose points for those stupid dances….
Nice try JDJ…Good interplay by him and Sadie, but there was a suspicious pass involved though 😈
Duvenhage slots the conversion
GAME ON
Blues 19 – 13 Stormers
58min
Stormers run from inside their half again but give away a PK on the Blues 22 for holding onto the ball on the ground.
Sadie TRY!!!!!!!!
someone lit the fire for the stormers…..Try
What a try Sadie !!!
Stormers taking the lead!!!
What is wrong with the Blues? They should have put this game beyond reach by now.
Stormers definitely got the same pep talk at halftime as what the Chiefs got.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 202) : game on indeed!
Blues seem to too relaxed so far in this half…de Jough try to give them a wake up! Well done!
How’s them for some balls? 😈
Blues 19 – Stormers 18
Oops no they don’t
Conversion missed by Duvenhage (2 from 3)
Blues 19 – 18 Stormers
61min
Raining again
Just shouted so loud the cats ran upstairs to hide under the bed. 😆
@robdylan (Comment 210) : Oh gosh
Still need the Blues to win….but glad it wont be a thumping now
😳 now Sadie has a try….maybe Blues have gone to sleep 😀
@McLovin (Comment 216) :
@McLovin (Comment 216) :
Honestly WTF? Wish I could be watching the game. This thread reads like a prank.
@McLovin (Comment 216) : LOL – they know how to make a point!
come on you blues do it for the sharks
@Viking (Comment 222) : V do you have a Drifta?
McAlister taking a PK at goal from just beyond the Stormers 10m line inside the 15m
Miss.
Blues 19 – 18 Stormers
@McLovin (Comment 216) : Cruelty to animals NOT allowed on this blog 😉 especially cats 😀
Koster and V Zyl on for Vermuelen and Elstadt
@Viking (Comment 222) : ❓
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 227) : It’s better than dressing your kids in Bulls jerseys!
PISSING down now
Stormers lose another of their Own LOs
Monro TRY!!!!!!!!
@Just a Fan (Comment 225) : No but I think I need to invest in one. Work refuses to broadcast rugby anymore. They say we don;t work. Haahaha…We don’t work in any case…
Try blues!!!
@Ice (Comment 230) : 😮 That’s for sure! Is someone on this blog THAT cruel to kids ❓ 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 232) : from a grubber by Ranger
8 clear now
@Viking (Comment 233) : a Drifta is DEFINITE must – let me know if you need stealth rugby watching tips.. 😀
Oh well.
Good night nurse.
Damn the Stormers for giving me hope. 😈
Conversion Over
Blues 26 – 18 Stormers
69min
Line outs costing the Stormers big time.
Good kick
Duvenhage PK at goal from 30m out 5 in from touch.
OVER
Blues 26 – 21 Stormers
71min
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 235) : Sure as hell hope not! 😆
Blues 26 Stormers 21
@McLovin (Comment 241) : Where is Bekker?
Penaltry right in front of the posts – care of Januarie
PK Blues 27m out on the 15 for Januarie going offside at the LO
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 246) : He’s there, but there’s a samoosa fout somewhere. 😐
@Pokkel (Comment 167) : CHARLATAN!! 😆 😆 😆
@Just a Fan (Comment 247) : Right in front???????????
i need a blues penalty… blues by 8 please…
Mc Alister misses the 1st for the night as he hits the upright.
Stormers 22 drop out
Sounds like Duvenhage doesn’t kick too bad at all. Interesting.
Ahhhhh. This game is most satisfying. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 253) : 1st?
Blues 26 – 21 Stormers
75min
Stormers LO 10m inside the Blues half after a kick out on the full by the Blues.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 251) : it looked in front…. 😳
@McLovin (Comment 256) : I believe that was the 1st kick he’s missed all night or was there another that I missed
Stormers LO 30m out from Blues line
77min
I cannot bellieve this game is coming down to the wire. Would have expected the Blues to finish them off long time ago. Well done to the Stormers for staying in it…
come on Blues …..
Stormers inside the Blues 22 and win a PK
@KSA Shark © (Comment 259) : He missed the previous attempt as well. 😉
@Just a Fan (Comment 262) : A try would be great! 😳
Stormers opt for the LO 5m out.
78min
I got blues by five, could use the final whistle now!
Stormers take and Maul from the LO
well if the Stormers win this – they deserve it for coming back the way they have.
@klempie (Comment 250) : YES!! I nearly said “Hello” to KLEMPIE!!
How are you?
Mauled over
TMO – Give me a reason why i can’t award the try.
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 270) : 😆 😆
Good and you Ma?
looks like I missed some good action in the second half. score ?? time ?? pls
@KSA Shark © (Comment 271) : NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!11111
Shit!
Cureently : Blues 26 Stormers 21..but TMO reviewing a try from Schalk – so could be 26 26 …1 min to go
@KSA Shark © (Comment 271) : …..
@klempie (Comment 272) : Good thanks!
TMO After 100 replays. ” I can give you no clear reason”
Stormers TRY!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 271) : SONFABITCH!!
Try awarded
Duvenhage hasn’t learnt from his earlier miss and takes it back pretty far.
STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID !!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 279) : Was it in the corner?? Who’s kicking??
Duvenage to kick – he gets it
OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blues 26 – 28 Stormers
79min
FRUCKING HELLLLLLL!!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stormers leading and win
Januarie Boots it dead
FULL TIME
Blues 26 – 28 Stormers
WELL DONE STORMERS
Draw please!!!
WOW! did not see that win coming at half time. Congrats Stormers.
STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Just a Fan (Comment 285) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 286) : What is it now?
SHIT MAN!! 👿
How’s that for some character?!
@klempie (Comment 255) : You satisfied with that? 😆 😆
Darnit!!!!!!!!
😯 WOW!! WHAT A COME BACK!
Well done Stormers!
omw, best feeling ever!
geez… well done Stormers!!!! i was hoping for a blues win, but to come back like that with a makeshift backline… good on ya!!
well done… that’s top spot sewn up for them, I reckon
Unbelievable. Well done Stormers… Blues you suck!!!!
@McLovin (Comment 296) : Well Done Dude.
NOW go and look for the cat. 🙂
Full time score Stormers 28 Blues 26
F***ing super effort from the Stormers.
Decimated by injury.
Mix & match backline.
Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant!!!!!
Congratulations Stormers sounded likeone hell of a rollercoaster game.
@robdylan (Comment 302) : Wont a 5 pointer put us joint? or would we be 2nd still because of amount of games lost?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 304) : 😆 They eye-balling me very suspiciously.
@klempie (Comment 295) : Satisfying ain’t it.
😉
@robdylan (Comment 302) : If we get a BP win tonight we will be level on points but they will be above us courtesy of more wins.
@Ben (Comment 307) : My nerves have gone into overdraft.
Well chaps gotta get some work done i suppose. Chatcha tomorrow.
All I have to say is: THERE IS NO BURGER LIKE A SCHALK BURGER! 😈
Welldone Stormers… 😉
Stormers still top of the conference.
😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎
The Stormers have just proven that not only can they lose a 20 point half time lead (last week) they can also turn a 20 point defecit into a win 😆
@Ice (Comment 308) : OMG Ice. Points difference. 🙄
@wpw (Comment 314) : Jy dink oek net aan kos… 🙄
@wpw (Comment 314) : He plays like a trojan….MOTM for me…
DIS A STORMERS DING A LEKKA LEKKA STORMERS DING EN ONS KANNIE WARRIE NIE WANT ONS HET GEWEEEEEEEEEN. I can’t believe they game back like that.Wowsers
@wpw (Comment 314) : Amen. Absolute monster effort from the Schalk today.
@McLovin (Comment 306) : RETWEET
Cracking game; well done boys.
Very satisfying seeing our current top side beat the kiwis current top side in their backyard.
Augers well for the RWC.
Oh, and de Jongh is simply awesome.
Possession and territory stats were worrying if your a Nz’er.
60/40 in possession; less in territory.
And I picked da Stormers by 5 on SB. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 311) : Tomorrow night.
@Ben (Comment 318) : Go check the fact sheet Boet….first of all they look at amount of wins / losses – ask KSA 😆
I think I pulled a vocal cord. 😐
@McLovin (Comment 312) : I can imagine, love winning such tight last minuts games. A game comes to mind of a few years back. Crusaders vs Sharks. We were trailing by 6 and the Crusaders wanting to go for the BP try. We turned the ball over and Odwa went to score in the corner. Pienaar slotted the conversion and we won. I was out of my mind exstatic!
@VanWilder (Comment 160) : Katrikalis is playing for UCT against his oold club Fasle Bay tomorrow.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : Cracker indeed.
At the start of this game I said that The Stormers would hopefully put up a strong effort, just losing at the end to help The Sharks cause… (this is a cynical point of view I concede; but thats how it was)… After making a point of watching the second half and seeing the odds stacked against The Stormers in terms of injuries and disruptions I change my philosophy – this team doesn’t like to lose and they play as a team… Schalk is loved and respected by his men and I am proud to be a South African; a beautiful game of rugby and a significant victory for the men…
If The Sharks want to top their log they need more of this character and must be there if only they deserve it – victories must be earned through good solid rugby and good solid rugby alone – the top dog must be the top dog… They must go out and fight it!
Stormers I salute you – RESPECT…
@McLovin (Comment 330) : 😛
good you may keep quiet now
so how long before you can have some beer 😉
@Ice (Comment 329) : Not according to me.
@Ben (Comment 331) : Pienaar slotted that conversion from Row G.As a WP man even I lost my head for that game
@Ben (Comment 318) : OM Gosh Dude!!!!!
Log positions are calculated on
• Most wins from all matches
• Highest aggregate points difference from all matches
• Most tries from all matches
• Highest aggregate difference in tries for and against from all matches
@Ben (Comment 336) : And who are YOU when you are at home? 😛
@rekinek (Comment 335) : 😆 Fortunately (or unfortunately for some) I don’t use my vocal cords to type.
😉
@Ben (Comment 318) : Rules this year are that most wins taken into account first.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 334) : Amen brother. 😎
@klempie (Comment 255) :
Boy oh boy did that comment come back to bite you in your maergat ass!! bwahahahahaha
😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 338) : Since when?
i actually like this result as it should motivate the Sharks to get a five pointer and not just ride on tehir luck 😉
I also like the fact that it is much tighter between the conference leaders. Just need to check who the Reds play this weekend.
Okay I didn’t know they changed the rules. My apologies to Ice.
Congrats Stormers!!!! What a comeback!
@rekinek (Comment 345) : The Reds have a rest and cannot be overtaken on the log this week…
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 337) : can you still find it on youtube or somewhere to see?
@Ben (Comment 344) : Since the Start of the season via a media release from Sanzar.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 348) : pity 😕
@rekinek (Comment 345) : Going to be tough to catch the Reds, although they still have to play the Crusaders. Can’t see them losing any other.
So Reds will be on 54 come end of the weekend 😕
Why is it that most teams are finding it hard to put in 65-75 minutes of good rugby ?
The expression “game of two halves’ is being overused…a half-time lead is slowly becoming a curse…
Anyway – well done Stormers – maybe that injury was a blessing in disguise. The guys just put in more effort – at 26-18 I didn’t think they’d have the mental strength to get back in it.
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 334) : Nice one DD! There’s the old SA spirit we’re lacking so much lately.
Well gedaan Stormers!
Now THAT is pluck! Good on you lassies for never giving up!
@Ben (Comment 336) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 338) :
Ben – thank goodness YOU did not try out for Lady Rugga! 😆
@Ben (Comment 346) : They seem to have changed everything this year. I also only found out about this this week. Wonder what I will find out next week about the new formats?
@McLovin (Comment 352) : plus at some point you may rather want for Crusaders to loose so that SA team may go into 4th position and keep playoffs in SA 🙄 complicated.
would be so much easier if Sharks were sitting on the top of the log with 63 points 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 350) : Hehe didn’t know. Feel like an idiot now! 🙂
@rekinek (Comment 345) : They have a bye this weekend.
@Ben (Comment 360) : You apologized to ice so no worries. 🙂
We were all young and big mouthed at some stage. Some (like me) are old and STILL loud mouthed. 🙂
the commentators were saying that the Stormers can’t chase the game. Shows you : they can’t be trusted
@Ice (Comment 357) : 😛
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 337) : Ja, I remember that game too, it was awesem.
@Ice (Comment 357) : Lol!
@rekinek (Comment 359) : All the permutations too much for my brain.
Blues still to play Crusaders, Chiefs & Highlanders. Suspect they will lose at least one of those.
Crusaders play Chiefs, Reds, Blues & Canes.
Only thing I’m certain of is that I want the Stormers to keep on winning.
@McLovin (Comment 342) : Got to love this sport… Schalk Burger switched on is STILL the most impressive number 6 in world rugby… In my Bok dream team he would be my skipper… Just like the NBA campaign of the 90’s – I LOVE THIS GAME!!!
1. Beast
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
3. Jannie Du Plessis
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Andries Bekker
6. Schalk Burger (C)
7. Willem Alberts
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Fourie Du Preez (V/C)
10. Pat Lambie
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Jean De Villiers
13. Jaque Fourie
14. JP Pietersen
15. Frans Steyn
16. John Smit
17. CJ VD Linde (experience and utility)
18. Jean Deysel
19. Victor Matfield
20. Francois Hougaard
21. Juan De Jongh
22. Gio Aplon
I know others will have a very different team, but this would be my team based on the way I would coach and use my forwards to gain momentum and power up front for a dynamic backline – I like Lwazi Mvovo more than Bjorn Basson, but to be completely objective Basson is a more complete player technically… (Mvovo will be in my RWC squad and would be given a chance to prove himself as he is more physical and explosive) – I like Brussouw and he too would be in my squad – but given the momentum game I would employ his physicality is his achilles for me…. there are enough forwards in this team who would play to the ball…
@rekinek (Comment 349) : http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2007/03/sharks-beat-crusaders-in-dying-seconds.html
@McLovin (Comment 367) : nothing like “confident” Stormers’ supporter. I was worried we lost you there for a moment
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 368) : And Basson can catch a ball fired at him from anywhere in the stadium.I’m still partial to Mvovo, I think that try from nothing at Twickers sold me forever.
So to recap:
Stormers missing the world’s best centre pairing.
Starting the match with the 3rd choice flyhalf who goes off injured early on.
Playing most of the match with a scrumhalf at flyhalf & a prop at scrumhalf. 😉
No kicker.
An untested centre combination.
One of the centres a mere child.
Replacement prop also a mere child.
Young lock in his 1st season of Super rugby.
Playing in NZ.
Playing with only 14 men for 10min.
And they still won. 😎
STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 369) : thanx a mil 😛
@rekinek (Comment 370) : Reds will end top imo. My hope is that a SA team ends up second and the Reds lose their semi, so the final is then in SA.
@Ben (Comment 346) : Accepted! 😆 *we pe pe pe pe*
@McLovin (Comment 372) : Co-Sign, BIG TIME!!!
@DarkDestroyer (Comment 368) : I’d have Alberts at 8, Schalk blindside, Brussouw openside. Schalk and Alberts to ‘maak amok’ and Brussouw to steal ball at will. 😈
@McLovin (Comment 377) : Jissim, maar jou tuitbekkie is darem NOU lekker groot!!
@molly (Comment 376) : Oh, I forgot to add, we were like a million points behind at one stage.
@Ice (Comment 378) : 😛
@rekinek (Comment 373) : No problemo
Best thing about that Saders Sharks game was the time was up and the saders had the ball, so I had given up all hope because they could just kick it out and win. But they decided to run it. Oh what a game that was!
@Ice (Comment 375) : I’m sure you know the feeling. 😉
@McLovin (Comment 372) :
Dude, you forgot to add:
‘We won because Ricky was on the field for 80 mins’
😉
@Ben (Comment 382) : wasn’t it bonus point greed talking
@rekinek (Comment 385) : Yip, the Crusaders are invincible. Or so they thought! 🙂
@wpw (Comment 384) : and also that CJ wasn’t 😉 😈
😯 What a brilliant comeback, role reversal from last week.
Well done Stormers and fans.
@Salmonoid (Comment 388) :
Thanks Sammy. 😯 😉
Lots of guts shown by the Stormers. Well done! Thought Sadie and de Jongh played very well and Duvenage wasn’t half bad at flyhalf. Oh, and Flo had another great day at the breakdowns.
@Ben (Comment 383) : took you long enough to come up with that one…How cant I know the feeling?? You so subtly push a knife in my back everytime I slip up!! 😆
I am a woman, and have never played the game….what is your excuse? 😈
@Ice (Comment 391) : SW isn’t informative enough. How was I suppose to know they changed that rule. 🙂
@Ben (Comment 392) : It was released in the MEDIA…it was shown on BOOTS and ALL…SUPERUGBY….need more….? You dont read newspapers or watch TV?? 😆
@Ben (Comment 392) : Yet…*I* KNEW that!
@wpw (Comment 384) : Exactly. He’s our lucky charm. Or sommer the mascot. Looks like he’s wearing a padded suit anyway. 😈
@wpw (Comment 389) : well done to the Stormers, great come back with duvenage playing flyhalf 😯 plus a new centre combo…!
Lionel Cronje is being sent home, maybe Duvenage will keep the flyhalf spot 😐
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 397) : Must be a serious injury then. 😐
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 397) : Pretty sure Coetzee said Grant, Jean & Fourie will be back next week. 😎
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 397) : Might be Coleman. Maybe Grant’ll be ready to come back?
How long is Gary van Aswegen supposed to be out for?
I’m sure the Ruan Pienaar talks are going to be reignited now.
Fine effort by the Stormers. MVP has to be Schalla – the amount of work and cheap shots he got through today was magnificent.
For a make shift bunch of backs – defensively they were epic.
I hate to say it but a Bulls win would be the better result for the Stormers.
@ Clayton – do we have any fly-halves left in the Western Cape?
@McLovin (Comment 399) : We going to need Grant at the very least. I would like to see JDJ get another game.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 403) : This was reported on News24.com:
The Stormers received some good news on Thursday when it was determined that Jean de Villiers’ chest muscle injury is not serious.
De Villiers has missed Friday’s match against the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland due to the injury.
The news from within the camp is that De Villiers only has a soft-tissue injury to his chest bone. He was due to visit a specialist in Auckland again on Thursday.
He is expected to be available for next Saturday’s match against the Brumbies in Canberra.
Peter Grant (ankle injury) and Jaque Fourie (hip injury) are also expected to be ready for the clash in Canberra.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 403) : I’d also like to see him have another go, there’s no need to rush JdV he can play off the bench.
Will also love Sadie to have another go as well.
Congrats Stormers!!!! I know its not great for the Sharks aspirations, but in a world cup year, its great to see a good SA team beat a good NZ team in NZ. To hell with the conference system. Proudly SA!!!!!!
@molly (Comment 400) : @Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 402) : Gary is out for the season.Kurt Coleman will probably be called up.
Didn’t see the game, but Well Done Stormers 🙂
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 406) : I agree with you…. super stoked for the Stormers
@robdylan (Comment 409) : I’ll be stoked for the Stormers when it is CONFIRMED that we can’t take the top spot in our conference.
Only then will I shout for the Stormers 🙂
Great win for us. Sadie sure look like he is earning his stripes now. Knew Dewaldt can placekick but he was great in 10 and our other Gimmie Schalkie was just massive today.
@robdylan (Comment 409) :
Thats very decent of you Rob.
Thanks!! 😉
@wpw (Comment 412) : Great to see Sharks supporters backing us. The more selfish lot would want us to lost this one but then we have beat them home and away, so they really dont deserve that nr1 SA spot.
@PaarlBok (Comment 413) : woaaah…. wouldn’t go quite that far Oom!
@PaarlBok (Comment 413) : don’t get me wrong…. I would definitely have preferred the Blues to win this one to make things easier for us. That said, the Stormers fully deserved to win today and for them and their supporters, I’m glad they did win.
But to think that means you guys somehow “deserve” top spot is really very cheeky. Let’s look at who is in that spot after 18 rounds and then we’ll know who deserved it.
@robdylan (Comment 414) : Sure I do. I support Stormers first and then its all SA teams vs Aus/NZ teams. Supported the Sharks all the way against all the overseas teams. My blood is way to green to see the Doep broers or Beast or Lampie struggling against the Saders as an example.
@robdylan (Comment 415) : At the moment we do, we beat you in the Tank and the Brutes in the Ring and is still unbeaten against all SA teams.
Anyway hope you all have a good weekend. Dont worry about me, I am way to old school when it come to supporting. Good luck against them Brutes, going to be a huge game.
@PaarlBok (Comment 418) : Have a good weekend Jannas
Yep on way to Stellenbosch and tomorrow its line walking at Paarl Gym with Bosch visiting.
I’ll sure have a cold one on them Stormers tonite, quite a few!
@PaarlBok (Comment 417) : If that doesn’t show how much we deserve to top the SA Conference, nothing will 😉 😈
@molly (Comment 421) : i think that beating the bulls at Loftus is memorable 😛 but Sharks and the home advantage it’s a tricky concept 🙄
@PaarlBok (Comment 413) : many different roads lead to Rome however 😉
@rekinek (Comment 422) : Wait, are you saying that playing at the Tank is not “home advantage” for you guys? Or have you forgotten that we’ve beaten you guys home and away? Five tries to none? With and without Lambie? With and without Grant?
@molly (Comment 421) : @rekinek (Comment 422) : didn’t you read Quest for Glory 😈 😉
@rekinek (Comment 425) : hahaha 😳 not yet.
@molly (Comment 424) : See my further comment. Sharks are unfortunately not that good in utilising the home advantage, partly because the Durbs crowd not that big on attendance and shouting 🙄
@molly (Comment 426) : 😳
@rekinek (Comment 427) : marnewick writes a bit about it.
@rekinek (Comment 428) : I figured as much, I must make time to read it. I’m quite keen to see the turnout for the Bulls game, it must be a highlight for Shark supporters.
Speaking of turnouts, what was the crowd like at this mornings game.
Will the rapture be before or after the Sharks beat the Bulls? 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 431) : I’m going with after, then we can combine victory celebrations with looting. 😆 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 431) : apparently its going to happen when Bakkies Botha and Willem Alberts collide.
@molly (Comment 421) : sounds like you okes are in the process of making up another trophy to award yourselves in mid season 🙂
@molly (Comment 433) : LIKE 🙂
Come on folks, this isnt a Sharks vs Stormers thread. Im a Sharks supporter through and through but the Stormers did a job today both for themselves and for SAs aspirations at the WC. This conference system must f off. I hate routing against SA teams because of the competitiveness of the division.
Well said Pablo. 😉
@Pablo Dinero (Comment 436) : however, it’s always nice to have a chirp or two with the stormers people from this side – they’re family 😀
@rekinek (Comment 438) : Indeed and agreed. Lets hope the sharks do a job tomorrow now. If they get a bonus point, the division is wide open.
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/110520/Stormers_come_from_behind_for_famous_win
Not the best choice of headline when refering to the Stormers.