Stormers vs Blues

Dice

@Dice said in Stormers vs Blues:

Crazy how much better we've become at defending the maul this season. It use to be automatic 5 pointers or penalties for opposition teams when they would go for a lineout drive inside our 22.

Zero tries from a maul through the first 5 games.

And defended multiple against SA sides. Hats off to the forward coach, and overall selection.

Kudos to Coventry. I thought he had maybe lost his touch after last season, but the pack has mostly looked good this season. Getting the maul defense fixed is a minor miracle.

Tim

That tackle from Tuipulotu on the 4 min mark, with Robinson driving over the top. Brutal.

Tim

Throwing aside, Eklund put in one of the best performances from a hooker we've had in recent seasons. Good work rate and physical impact.

Tim

Really good to see Nock being more assertive and bossing and pushing his forwards around. Would love to see him back himself and have a run.

Daffy Jaffy

@Tim After all those years of bad injuries stopping his progress its good to see Ekland getting his chance at 27 years old. Throwing has always his work on but training full time must be helping. Young Tolai also impressed me with his energy and work rate when he came on, and he is a big unit for a Hooker at 119kgs.

Daffy Jaffy

@Tim Selection of the Half backs will be very interesting when Christie is available. I imagine that MacDonald had him pencilled in as his starter before he was injured. So maybe Ruru misses out.

Tim

@Daffy-Jaffy Yeah, I thought Tolai had a good NPC and was unlucky not to get a contract.

Tim

That tackle on Plummer at the end might need a look at by the judiciary.

Daffy Jaffy

@Tim I watched Tolai from the sideline last season at a Blues Development team game. He was very aggressive and busy and always looking for a tackle to make, a ruck to hit or for a hit up to carry.

Tim

Good performances from 2, 9, 10, and 15 - our recent problem areas. Got to give credit to the coaches for that.

OomPB

Blues were to good on saturday. The Stormers maybe needed this for their next phase of matches which will be challenging starting with the Sharks in two weeks time. They'll need to move forward now without PSdT.

OomPB

and good luck to the Blues. They are much better then most think they are.

African Monkey

@Dice I thought we conceded a few against the Chiefs didn't we? Either way I'm glad we're showing signs of improvement there as I haven't seen the last few games (I think I should stay away from watching more often) . It used to drive me nuts when sides would get automatic 5 pointers against us on the maul.

nzzp

@Tim said in Stormers vs Blues:

Really good to see Nock being more assertive and bossing and pushing his forwards around. Would love to see him back himself and have a run.

There was one bit where he scooted into space and then threw a pass to support runners. Was great to see - so often it's tempting to die in the hole with that stuff.

Your 9 has to snipe occasionally to keep defences honest. Doubt leads to indecision, which leads to space

taniwharugby

@nzzp that is something I have always had an issue with in his game, he has wheels but rarely tests the defence and is therefore easy to defend.

His issue now is getting re-selected and backing it up.

nzzp

@taniwharugby I'm not getting my hopes up for this weekend. PLaying after a long travel trip like that is really tough; particularly playing away. Expecting the Canes to win in the final quarter

Dice

@African-Monkey You're right, I forgot we conceded one against the Chiefs in the first half.

There was a try by Takeiaho in the 2nd half that was scored after a lineout drive, but we defended the maul so well, Takeiaho had to break off and run, so I don't really count that as conceding one from a maul.

Dice

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@taniwharugby I'm not getting my hopes up for this weekend. PLaying after a long travel trip like that is really tough; particularly playing away. Expecting the Canes to win in the final quarter

It'll also be our 6th game in a row. I think we'll fair better in the return match at Eden Park, when hopefully that Beauden guy is in the line-up.

Kirwan

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@taniwharugby I'm not getting my hopes up for this weekend. PLaying after a long travel trip like that is really tough; particularly playing away. Expecting the Canes to win in the final quarter

Yeah, travel and an away game against a NZ side, and no bye yet. Going to be a tough ask, just want to see another good performance.

Nogusta

@Kirwan their flight was delayed a day out of South Africa apparently. They only got back early hours this morning a day later than planned so thats a short turnaround.

The Silver Fern

Stormers vs Blues