Stormers subdue strong Brumbies for great win

A MAN TO WATCH: Faf de Klerk of the Lions gets the ball out during yesterday’s Super 15 clash against the Highlanders at Ellis Park at Newlands STORMERS flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis led the Stormers to a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Brumbies at Newlands last night by contributing 20 points with the boot.

The win lifted the Stormers back to the top of the SA Conference standings and strengthened their chances of securing a home semifinal, especially as other Australia pacesetters, the Waratahs, lost their match.

But it wasn’t a pretty match and needed a late missed conversion from Brumbies flyhalf Christian Lealiifano to secure the victory after David Pocock scored what should have been the match-winning try.

The Stormers, as expected, dominated the scrums, but once again their lineout malfunctioned and they were skittish around the park.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi twice lost the ball in contact and in good attacking positions while his combination with jumpers at the back of the lineout remains problematic.

The Brumbies came with the clear plan to niggle the hosts and rattle them with continuous sly play. The Stormers fell into the trap of losing their composure with each tug of a jersey or obstruction when chasing a kick. It mirrored the way they were caught out by the same tactics from the Chiefs earlier in the season, but this time it didn’t cost them the game.

Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White, making his first appearance in a month after an ankle injury, was the head niggler. It’s no surprise his side lost three out of four matches while he was recuperating.

Hooker and captain Stephen Moore wasn’t far behind when it came to living on the edge of the law, but these were instructions carried out to perfection and the visitors went into half time seven points clear.

There were skirmishes after almost every ruck, which seemed to muddy the Stormers’ thinking. They played far too much rugby deep in their own half and dug themselves into a deep hole.

Captain Duane Vermeulen, who was riled by the Brumbies’ niggles, became more irritated with his team’s lineout problems. After winning penalties and putting the ball into touch, they couldn’t win the lineout. Their best scoring chance of the first half — a five-metre lineout — went well over the back and the moment was gone.

Vermeulen, sensing he had nowhere to turn when the Stormers won a penalty 45 metres out, instructed Catrakilis to kick for poles even though they had gone for touch twice in earlier play. The flyhalf missed.

But Catrakilis did add four penalties in an 11-minute period either side of half time that ensured the Stormers stayed in the game after being on the backfoot for most of the first half.

The momentum from Catrakilis’ boot allowed the Stormers’ belief to grow and when they were awarded a series of scrums close to the Brumbies line midway through the second half, a try inevitably followed. Schalk Burger dotted down to give his side the lead for the first time.

The Stormers gifted the opening try of the match to wing Joe Tomane. The Wallaby looked up and sprinted 45 metres for an easy try.

Vermeulen was more irritated with his team’s lineout