Two Cents

Most Stomers supporters feel the same way I do this morning. Maybe they have already recovered from their hang over from Saturday’s once again dissipointed result. I have not. I remember watching an english premier league game some years ago and the fans were crying uncontrollably and i thought how could it hurt so much that you sob like a baby?

Well, i didnt cry but it hurt quit a bit. Luckly by the time the final whistle went i had had a couple of pints and the pain was subdued. Then vd Bregh won the gold, and I felt a little better.

After reading some of the articles about the game and feelings of the coach and captain, my analytical side came out…

To start with, before you judge, understand that i am, have always been, will always be, a province supporter, and with that a stomers supporter…

I have been very positive and optimistic about the stomers winning this year’s super competition. And why not, we lost the least amount of games, conceded the least amount of point and closed games out that really we should have lost. The team showed depth and resiliance when we lost four world class loose forwards, guys like Deon Fourie putting up his hand and take responisiblity in his new role, not forgetting half the tournament was played with out either Etzabeth or Bekker. There again the other guys put up their hands and contribute towards the team.

But as the season wore on so did the cracks start to appear. Some players that seemed to be a shoe-in to the Boks team really did not do anything to change HM mind, actually some confirmed their exclusion from the Boks squad (even when some Boks were doing the best to get left our come the next international window).

For me the Stomers have a great TEAM, but no real game changers (this does not included injured players, as i feel the stomers’ season would have looked much better if schalk and duan were not injured, especially schalk). Players like kegan daniels, jp pietersen, and even charl mcleod can change a game for you. I did not think our usual game changers did it this year. Guys like Aplon, Habana (though he had a fantastic season, and showing his class), and de jongh did not set the world alight.

I am not going to criticise individuals. No, i was not criticising Aplon, Habana or de Jongh. They played well and contributed to the team but they did not change the outcome of the competition with something amazing. Game shangers, in my opition, change big games, semis, and finals. They relish the opportunity for doing something amazing in the big matches: keegan daniels’ critical steel when the stomers were dominating the game and looking to score, jp petersen’s move to centre and wonderful step inside to score the winning try. Those moments, from those kind of players.

Maybe i should criticise individual. Yes, i am sad but more angry that another reason has slipped away without a trophy. So maybe i should mention some players i thought did not help the cause… But the worse thing about losing Saturday are the Bulls supporters, its like they beat us on Saturday. They lost 5 our of their last 6 games. They comment more than the Sharks. To be honest, the Sharkies have been modest in victory.

I was not impressed by two stars in the stomers team: Grant and Pietersen! They were below par, well below. So was Duvenage. Actually he has not really done anything this season. His box kicks were poor most of the season and did not really worry the pillar defenders (guys next to the ruck) at all, hardly took a gap and his defense not really that strong. The scrumhalf is such a critical part of a team, as was very evident with the drop in form of hougie for the bulls. If you compare the good teams in the competition the scrumhalf is a star. Look at the Reds, Crusaders, Chiefs, Sharks, and the Bulls. The top six, Duvie would rank the lowest… that says a lot.

The front row did not impress. Brok seems to blow hot and cold. We all know he should not take the ball up or distribute but scrum he should be able to do. But Eish, did not seem like that this year. The youngster is the team did much better. Props only really start showing form in their mid to late 20s but Kitshof and Malherbe showed class and form well above their years.

I really cant fault any of the locks this year, except for the language blimp when the canadian joined the team, they did well. The looseforwards all played well even when spread thin. Guys like Carr and Kolisi really stepping up and the future really looks good there.

I would like to see a bit more creativity from our backs. On paper its like the Tate Art Gallery of creative players but, wow, it did not look that way. And why  were they slipping the whole time? its their home field, how can they not know which studs to wear!

White line fever and chocking in the red zone is what sunk the team. They need to score tries in the red zone not just get three points! I can only look towards the Curry Cup and hope above hope that we win that one! We need silverware, for myself, the rest of the province faithful and to shut those pecking bulls supporters up for good!