Chances Aplenty

What made the Stormers loss to the Crusaders at Newlands on Saturday most disappointing was the fact that the Cape Town boys played most of the rugby. And in the second half we had two golden opportunities to win the game but were let down by the little things. First, let me say that Schalk Burger’s decision to kick the lineout and seek out the try rather than take the points on offer with  12 minutes to go was spot on. He had the sense that his side was on the precipice and he considered the momentum and the pressure that his team were building. He also considered the margin of six points, the strength of their mauling game, and Bekker’s lineout prowess, and he decided it was right to have a crack. With that, I have no issue, whatsoever. I agreed at the time and I agree now, despite the outcome. It was however the third lineout call after the Crusaders had been penalised twice that upset the applecart. I really feel that there was no reason to change the call. Had we gone with standard 4-ball for the third time in a row, we would either have won a penalty try – which was the only decision the ref could have come up with had the Crusaders cheated again – or alternately, we would have scored from the maul. Instead we over-complicated it and rushed the setup following a longer throw and were driven back and turned over.

The second moment followed Koster’s brilliant break in the last minutes. With numbers wide on the right and quick ball won at the ruck, January played prop Harris lurking at flyhalf and looking to bash it up. Poor decision making by both parties and a further seven points went a-begging. Like missing a penalty in soccer, in both instances we had done all the hard work and blew it at the last.

Linking the Brilliance

Imagine the Cape franchise could pick up Ruan Pienaar for the remainder of the campaign, and he and Peter Grant could link between this brilliant pack of forwards and the most exciting backs (on paper) in the competition. When Aplon, Habana, De Villiers and Fourie appear in the same provincial back division, you are truly blessed and should tear it up. All they need is to be unleashed by snappy service and smart decision making. And on the subject of brilliant backlines, check out the Chiefs’ backsplaying against the Stormers this weekend. They’re probably the next best paper back division in the competition featuring Muliaina, Masaga, Kahui, Sivivatu, Donald and Leonard – not too shabby.

Doing it in New Zealand

Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw and Gio Aplon will be playing for their Rugby World Cup lives over the next few weeks in New Zealand. Let’s hold thumbs that they churn out their best form on tour, they could all have a very positive impact wearing green and gold come October. No doubt Pieter de Villiers will be watching them closely in Hamilton and Auckland.

What do you think? Will the Stormers get up in Hamilton? Should Burger have taken the points? Will Aplon, Flo and Duane excel in New Zealnd and will PDivi be watching? How much truth do you think there is to the rumour that Ruan’s heading Capewards from Ulster, and could we use him?

For more insight and opinion, follow Steve Morris on twitter.