Stormers’ aspirations blown away

THE Stormers’ Super Rugby woes not only continued in Sydney – they were compounded by a serious triple injury setback.

No 8 Duane Vermeulen and flanker Rynhardt Elstadt both injured their knees towards the end of the clash against the Waratahs, while hooker Deon Fourie came away with a rib injury.

It is feared it might be a repeat of the injury two years ago, which kept Vermeulen out of action for an extended period – six weeks this time – and also puts his Springbok prospects in serious doubt.

“It’s not looking good at this point in time,” said Stormers coach Allister Coetzee.

“Duane hurt his knee. It looks like his medial cruciate ligaments. Rynhardt is similar it seems, and it could be long-term. Deon also hurt his ribs.”

These came during the Stormers’ 21-15 loss, with the Capetonians holding a 15-11 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

“I am awaiting results on all those injuries before we’ll know the full extent.

“Those three are the big injuries after the game,” Coetzee added.

While the Stormers were again enormous on defence, they created few opportunities and Waratahs fullback Israel Folau played a crucial part in both the home side’s tries.

“We really threw everything at the Waratahs but it doesn’t seem to be going our way,” Coetzee said.

“We had the ascendancy going into those final 10 minutes but we