Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Tempo, and keeping the ball in play key to plan to counter Chiefs
STORMERS coach Robbie Fleck says he knows all too well that they will have to “outscore the Chiefs to beat them” in their quarter- final clash at Newlands today (kickoff 5pm).
When talking about the game after naming his team on Thursday, Fleck reflected on their Round Seven victory over the Chiefs at Newlands, where they secured a 34-26 win and outscored Dave Rennie’s side four tries to three.
And the Stormers coach knows they will have to do the same today if they want to add another win over the Kiwis to their list.
“To beat them we know we will have to outscore them in tries. We scored four against three in April. We have just got to be the best at what we do,” Fleck said.
Fleck also said he was expecting the Chiefs to bring their characteristically quicktempo game to Newlands, but added their win over the Bulls last week was a positive in terms of what they achieved in that fixture.
“We know what to expect against the Chiefs, we know that ball will be in play a lot, so our tactic against the Bulls last week was to keep ball in play by avoiding lineouts,” he said.
“The players responded exceptionally well. We had quick ball and tempo at lineout time. We know we could have the ball in play for four or five minutes, so we have been building towards that.
“We are not scared of anything. We have prepared for all eventualities. What they are good at we can also do.”
Like in any clash, the breakdown is set to be of utmost THE Stormers will of course have their work cut out for them when they host the Chiefs in today’s Super Rugby quarter-final showdown at Newlands, and their focus (and performance) will have to be right up there for the full 80 minutes if they want to come out on top. But three men who will require some special attention from the Stormers are loose forward Sam Cane, flyhalf Aaron Cruden and fullback Damian McKenzie. And here’s why… importance today, especially against a team like the Chiefs.
Earlier this week, Rennie said that he was hoping that the referee, Jaco Peyper, would oversee the breakdowns in such a way that his team would still be able to get quick ball.
During the recent All Blacks v British & Irish Lions Test series, Lions coach Warren Gatland also voiced his Sam Cane Whether it’s at the breakdown or in open play, he is a dominant force. The Chiefs co-captain is tireless and his work-rate is incredible. He is more than capable of putting in a technical masterclass at the breakdowns, which is always a crucial area and today will be no different, and it wouldn’t be wrong to say he does the “work that is not always seen”. Cane is great in the loose and when it comes to making tackles, he very often puts a halt to teams’ attack with his behindthe-gain line dominant hits, and those traits of the 25-year-old will certainly make an impact. opinion on what he believed to be illegal ruck tactics by the Kiwis, but Fleck was confident that Peyper would handle the area well.
“We are pleased that Jaco is there on Saturday as he has a very clear idea of how they play at the breakdown,” said Fleck.
“I have had lots of conversations with him in the past and he is well informed on Aaron Cruden (pictured) We all know that Aaron Cruden is a class player and we all know his attacking ability. His tactical flair has seen the flyhalf produce huge performances over the years, but that’s not all that he’s about. He is capable of way more than just that. His offloading game is just one part of his exciting skillset, and we’ve seen that many times – his quicker-thana-blink tip pass to James Lowe that set him up to score against the Blues earlier this year is a perfect example thereof. But it’s his ability to attack the line and his footwork (and those offloads, how the breakdowns should be handled.
“It is important because their breakdown tactics are a big thing for the Chiefs, the way they go about cleaning out around the fringes.
“Both teams are very similar, both are capable of playing good rugby, so hopefully the game will be a great spectacle. This quarter-final will be a great spectacle in terms of of course) that stress opposition defences the most. Cruden knows how to apply pressure, and the team who handles pressure the best today the rugby played if Jaco does what he did in the round robin game. If everything is kept legal at the breakdown it will be a good game.”
Another thing that will add to the match being a great spectacle are the players. And there are more than a few exciting ones to watch.
For the Stormers, flyhalf Damian Willemse will look to build on his exciting dis- will probably be the victorious one. Oh yes, did I mention his kicking ability, be it tactical or kicking for posts? Because that is something that, just like his other skills, make him the player that he is. Damian McKenzie From pin-point tactical kicks to cutting runs and beating defenders at close quarters, Damian McKenzie is a full attacking package. The Smiling Assassin can probably unseal any Super Rugby team’s defence, or any defence in general, and when he does, his electric acceleration makes whatever he does after ripping plays with ball in hand in his toughest game to date, while wings Dillyn Leyds, who is the back-up flyhalf, and Cheslin Kolbe should aim to reproduce the top attacking spells that they’ve produced throughout the season, especially in the past few games.
Skipper Siya Kolisi, who Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane said plays more like a Kiwi earlier this week, will also be watched by Rennie’s men, while one half of the Bok lock duo, Eben Etzebeth, should look to add another impressive performance filled with big tackles and huge runs against the Chiefs.
For the Chiefs, fullback Damian McKenzie is always one to watch for his attacking mastery and today will be no different, while pivot Aaron Cruden and outside centre Anton Lienert- Brown also deserve a mention. defences to shreds look just too easy. And let’s not forget about what he can do on the counter-attack. In the Chiefs’ match against the Brumbies last weekend, he proved to be the difference yet again as he scored a superb try and set up two others in brilliant style. But for McKenzie, that was nothing new, nothing out of the box. In fact, those kind of McKenzie shows have kind of become standard. He has been one of the most consistent performers for the Chiefs, so his performance today will probably be no different. He is definitely a chief to watch.