Stopping Pocock key to Stormers’ success
Test incentive will add spark to local derby
CHAMPIONS Otago Highlanders held off a storming comeback from the New South Wales Waratahs to win a high-scoring Super Rugby game 30-26 in Sydney yesterday.
The Highlanders powered to a 30-0 lead after 55 minutes, but they had to withstand a withering fight-back from the home side, who pulled to within four points with seven minutes left.
But Otago regrouped and held on to their lead to go to the top of the New Zealand conference midway through the fourth round of the five-nation tournament, while the 2014 champions fell to their second loss in three matches.
The Highlanders, who eliminated the Waratahs 35-17 in last year’s semifinals, have now beaten the Sydneysiders in four of their last five encounters.
Ryan Tongia scored the opening try in the 11th minute and Liam Squire scored off a dropped Waratahs ball 18 minutes later.
Flanker Elliot Dixon scored the first of his two tries off a kick from winger Matt Faddes to have the Highlanders leading 22-0 at half-time, with fly-half Lima Sopoaga contributing two conversions and a penalty.
Dixon scored again off a high kick seven minutes after the resumption and a Sopoaga dropkick pushed the Highlanders out to 30-0 before the Waratahs sprang into action.
The Waratahs rattled on 26 points in 17 minutes to give their fans hope of a stirring come-from-behind victory.
Jed Holloway, a half-time replacement, scored a hat-trick of tries, with another replacement, Tom Robertson, scoring a fourth try. Kurtley Beale converted three of the tries. ý In Palmerston North, the Wellington Hurricanes swept to a 41-6 win over the Western Force.
The Hurricanes scored six tries to nil, plundering 31 points in the second half. – AFP WHEN two teams that mirror each other meet, the outcome will depend on the contribution of key individuals, and both the Stormers and the Brumbies, who meet in a Super Rugby clash in Cape Town today, are dotted with match-winners.
Both teams have excellent individuals but the Brumbies, after four seasons of progression under Jake White and Stephen Larkham, are collectively settled and cohesive. Breaking them down won’t be easy.
The Stormers can look to Cheslin Kolbe’s sparkling feet or Eben Etzebeth’s brute strength to tip the tide in their favour.
But the Brumbies can barely pass a ball without hitting a world-class player. Openside flank David Pocock is probably the most valuable asset in rugby right now.
His strength over the ball, understanding and anticipation are going to be pivotal in the contest at the breakdown.
Hooker Stephen Moore, flank Scott Fardy, flyhalf Christian Leali’ifano, centre Tevita Kuridrani and wing Joe Tomane are fearsome.
Like the Stormers, they also boast excellent set-piece prowess. Last year, in the quarterfinal contest at Newlands, their lineout dominated as they won 39-19, scoring six tries to one.
By emasculating the Stormers’ lineout they gained control and launched a terrifying kicking game that put the Stormers’ back three under pressure until they cracked.
For that reason wing Kobus van Wyk returns at the expense of Leolin Zas in the only tactical change to the Stormers team. Scrumhalf Nic Groom starts for the first time this season due to Jano Vermaak’s neck injury.
Last year, with the Stormers constantly on the back foot, Pocock bossed the breakdown to add to the home team’s woes. That scenario could play itself out again today if the Stormers don’t edge the first-phase battle.
The home team also need to be more precise on attack. They have created chances this season, but blunt finishing and lack of cohesion has seen try opportunities wasted.
“Teams are rushing up on us, so there is less space to work in,” Stormers openside flank Nizaam Carr said.
“What is important is to be patient and have more depth to our attack. Things will happen, but we need to do the dirty work first and space will come when the magic can happen.”
Larkham agreed that the Stormers were playing positive rugby even though they had scored only six tries in three matches this year. His team scored 15.
“Every team will have a game plan, but for both us and the Stormers the intention is to hold on to the ball and play some rugby,” Larkham said.
“Both will be going out to play good rugby. It’s our intention to do that and based on what we’ve seen from the Stormers, it’s their intention too.”
Neutralising Pocock is the key for the Stormers and they can only do that effectively by playing off the front foot from set-piece superiority.
Larkham, not usually given to hyperbole, was unequivocal in his praise for the Wallaby fetcher.
“David is an unbelievable player and I’d say the best in his position in the world,” Larkham said. “He’s a marquee player. He’s respected by all players and by all coaches.
“But we knew that when he was on the field we’d pretty much win the game.On the field he’s a match-winner and off the field he gets the best out of other players.”
For the Stormers the challenge is simple in theory, but much more difficult in practice – stop Pocock.
The teams are: Stormers: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Johnny Kotze, Juan de Jongh, Dillyn Leyds, Kurt Coleman, Nic Groom, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Nizaam Carr, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, JC Janse van Rensburg Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Oli Kebble, Vincent Koch, JD Schickerling, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Louis Schreuder, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Leolin Zas Brumbies: Aidan Toua, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano , Tomas Cubelli, Jarrad Butler, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea, Allan Alaalatoa, Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin, Tom Staniforth, Jordan Smiler, Michael Dowsett, Robbie Coleman, Nigel Ah Wong AS Sharks fullback Willie le Roux aptly put it before facing the Stormers last Saturday, there is an old school “Springbok trials” feeling to the local Super Rugby derbies this year.
There is a new Springbok regime on the way and players are champing at the bit to be considered for the incoming Ireland tests.
Though without the intensity of last week’s Stormers-Sharks clash, that feeling will be on show again this afternoon when the Lions clash with the Cheetahs at Ellis Park at 5.05pm.
From the tight five to the back rows and three-quarters, there will be personality clashes everywhere in the City of Gold – not least of all in the match-up between the two centre pairings: Howard Mnisi and Lionel Mapoe for the Lions and William Small-Smith and Francois Venter for the Cheetahs.
Springbok Mapoe, who flew home from New Zealand a week early to be with his girlfriend for the birth of their first child, said he could hardly wait to get back into action today.
He was one of the stars of the historic win over the Chiefs two weeks ago, but he is up against an emerging hero of Bloemfontein in Venter.
By winning two of their three overseas games, the Lions have set themselves up a platform to push for a play-off place.
Victory this afternoon would put gloss on their early-season hard work.
The Cheetahs are fresh from their first win of the season, by a hair’s breadth, over the Sunwolves last weekend.
The fulcrum of their tight five, Lood de Jager, is back from a break and will be one of the players to watch come kickoff.