Tight tussle: The Sharks kept the Stormers at bay
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Sharks coach John Plumtree says their improved set-pieces and ability to handle pressure better were key factors to overcoming the Stormers in Durban on Saturday.
The Durban franchise bagged their second straight Super Rugby win and consigned their Cape rivals to a second consecutive loss thanks to a narrow 12-6 scoreline at Kings Park.
In a drab, but tight South Afrcan derby, neither team managed to break the deadlock before the break, with Springbok fly-half Patrick Lambie's four penalties outweighing two from Joe Pietersen in the second half as the Sharks held on.
"The set-piece operated well enough, whereas possibly in the past we haven't been able to do that to the Stormers line-out," said the Sharks coach.
"So that evened up the playing field a little bit.
"Because the line-out operated well, we were able to relieve pressure, which was unlike the Currie Cup final. That was probably the major difference tonight."
During the opening 40 minutes, both teams appeared hesitant to run with ball in hand, instead opting to constantly boot the ball upfield, although the visitors did manage to breach into the home 22 on a few occasions.
"Everything was about pressure out there and it came down to who could cope with it," said Plumtree.
"We just had to be patient. We went away from our attacking theme a little bit in the first half, but the second half we managed to get a bit more momentum at times to get a little bit more width.
"But the Stormers hit you so hard, if you go away from the plan then you can end up on the back foot."
Victory allowed the hosts to clinch a win that moved them to second in the local conference standings and fifth overall.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee was not too downcast after the loss, opting instead to look at the positives in a match that came hot on the heels of a 25-17 loss to the Bulls last week and saw them drop to 12th overall.
"It was always going to be a tough start to the competition and this was really an arm wrestle, a dog fight and one of the toughest derbies you can get," said Coetzee .
"It was almost like a Test match out there.
"We're a team that's not used to losing and if you want to be a championship side, you can't be happy with losing. But in saying that, I was very pleased with the effort and the attitude. It was a big step-up from last week and I'll take a lot of heart from this performance." Coetzee admitted there was concern about the scrum, but added, "Our line-out functioned much better and tactically we were also very good.
"There's a long way to go in the competition and I got no doubt in my mind we'll be there contending come the end of the season."
Comments
pikes says...
Still proud...Stormers/WP has always been good entertainers on the rugby, and through entertaining we ended each year on the bottom half and people still complained. Now that we more defensive people complain, no one will ever be pleased. IMO even if we lose all our matches and score no tries i'm still proudly a stormer supporter!!!!!!!!!
Posted 12:43 04th March 2013
Stellenbosched2 says...
Hi Jay Starr,
I agree with all you have said. Refering to all the rugby players who follow the money rather than the team, I am thinking of setting up my own fan's agency. At the start of each season I will help fans find the best deal and for that season only (of course) they will be die-hard supporters of the selected team.
Posted 04:39 04th March 2013
philipjfry says...
I think Coetzee is wrong about the intensity being similar to test match rugby and my hunch is that he congratulated his players with that rhetoric. If anything he should downplay the intensity because his players are clearly buckling under the pressure all ready.
Posted 18:55 03rd March 2013
daibok says...
JayStarr and Zimboy. It takes 2 to tango and the Sharks were just as negative. As a Sharkie I hope it was a one - off. I doubt either side will produce such mind numbing, negative rugby again this year.
Posted 18:35 03rd March 2013
Zimboy says...
Excellent post, JayStarr! You stated what every Stormers fan around the world is feeling right now. I just hope Allister Coetzee and his coaching staff READ this!!!
Posted 15:53 03rd March 2013
nefari says...
it just emphasizes the influence etsebeth has
Posted 14:26 03rd March 2013
JayStarr says...
You have no doubt that we'll be there contending at the end of the season ? What makes you think that? Our complete inabilty to move the ball through the hands to our wings and make any line-breaks for an entire match? Do you really think with the law emphasis on attack this year that you can once again make the finals by scoring no tries and just strangiing the life out of games (and your supporters)?
No, that game-plan only works if you're winning. And you already have as many losses as you had the entire season last year. You won't make the finals unless you have a serious shift in attitude - something you don't seem to think you need to do. I can't think of ONE Stormers player yesterday of whom I can say "he played really well". It's PATHETIC. And even more pathetic that you're satisfied with it!
I'm seriously doubting my ability to still be a Stormers fan with this same-old mind-numbing mentality as the last few seasons. Where is the adventure of the Currie Cup winning side? Or can't you play rugby like that in Super Rugby ? Please. You're a team that never fails to make it painful for your supporters. We don't care if you lose - but at least play with the right attitude, risk something - look like you care as much as we do. Give us something to support!
Posted 13:27 03rd March 2013