STORMERS vs SHARKS
It was 2011 all over again for the Stormers when they succumbed to an intensely physical Sharks side at Newlands in much the same fashion as they were beaten by the Crusaders a year ago.
The home side have now contested a total of 4 semi-finals and all of them have been played at home. To date they have won 1 and lost 3.
The visitors superiority stemmed, as predicted, from their vastly superior front row, spread through efficient locks and combatative loose forwards and ended with a far more potent backline than that on offer from the hosts.
Problems for the Stormers began at the first scrum where the Sharks immediately asserted their expected superiority. By then the Stormers had already displayed ominous vulnerability under the high ball with both the fullback and flyhalf successively spilling catches.
Thereafter both Duvenage and Grant were guilty of aimlessly kicking away precious possession with efforts that were either too long or too short. In fact the Stormers line kicking was markedly inferior to the visitors’ throughout the match with efforts of as little as 20 – 25 metres simply gifting possession back to their grateful opponents.
The sterile rugby that the Stormers have stubbornly persisted with all season eventually threatened to eliminate them. Yet it was not until the last 20 minutes that they abandoned the mindless one off running and kick/chase and started to attack with some intent using ball-in-hand and width. Unfortunately for them only one try resulted and the Sharks ran out deserved albeit exhausted winners.
The Stormers whole season and regrettable lack of adventure was probably summed up by an incident which occurred after 38,5 minutes in the first half. Already trailing 3-13 they were awarded a penalty close to the 22 after a sustained period of attack. At that point the Sharks looked rattled and it was an opportune moment to perhaps be bold and kick for the corner and thereafter try the rolling maul from 5 meters out. Instead they took the 3 on offer and continued well into the second half with fruitless attempts to harvest other 3 point opportunities.
Upon reflection it must be conceded that this side still lacks championship pedigree despite marked improvement in 2012. In no particular order it is still short of one top class prop, a more dominant fullback, scrumhalf and a flyhalf. At the very least the signature of Johan Goosen to fill the flyhalf berth should be sought with an open cheque book if they are serious about lifting the trophy.
I will be very surprised if the South African challenge for the 2012 Super 15 title has not died with the Stormers. As satisfying as it will be for the Sharks to have made the final I rate their chances of beating the Chiefs in Hamilton next week as poor to zero. If memory serves me correctly this will be Natal/Sharks' fourth tilt at a title. Without any malice I expect the score to be Played 4 Lost 4 after next week.
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