Two tries: Juan de Jongh
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The Stormers recorded a 26-21 home victory against the Rebels on Saturday in a win that sets up a possible home run to the 2012 Super Rugby Final.
It wasn't pretty but the mission was accomplished by Allister Coetzee's outfit as they now have a week off and then return for a home semi-final.
Build-up to this game had left many excited by the prospect of the Stormers requiring their first try bonus-point to finish top, thus giving them a home route to a possible first title. But with the Chiefs having gone down to the Hurricanes on Friday, luckily for the hosts just a win was needed.
Coetzee had chosen to employ Deon Fourie at number eight this week and it seemed to pay off early on as his combination with Rynhardt Elstadt and the industrious Siya Kolisi put the Stormers in the driving seat going forward. Outside them, Gio Aplon had found some joy before centre Juan de Jongh cut the line superbly to back up Peter Grant's opening two penalties. The latter's conversion on fifteen minutes made it 13-0.
It was no surprise that the tempo was impacted by events in Wellington as the Stormers continued in their workmanlike approach to generate points. They had to wait for the next three, however, as the Rebels came back well in the final 20 minutes of the first-half, Grant sending them over after the siren.
The Rebels, who were again missing Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor due to injury, were looking to send Stirling Mortlock off with a good showing in his last Super Rugby game. And they upped the ante after the break as Rodney Blake crossed at the second time of asking from five metres out. Julian Huxley added the two to make it 16-7 and also make both the Chiefs players and supporters adjust their posture watching from New Zealand.
Excitement would further grow when the Rebels crossed for the second time soon after, this time it was Nick Phipps capitalising on some sloppy defence after Jono Owen had fumbled sideways. Phipps snapped up the ball and with Huxley's extras the lead was cut to two.
But back came the hosts through that man De Jongh, who was given a ball from Grant on a late switch just 100 seconds after Phipps' effort and there was a gap to follow under the posts for the unwanted Bok. One sensed though that the try wouldn't hurt the Rebels' spirit.
And so it proved as they continued to fight until the final whistle. Next it was replacement back Cooper Vuna to cross for a converted score that made it 23-21 but Grant's penalty on 76 minutes proved sufficient in sealing the win. The Rebels end the season in thirteenth.
The scorers:
For Stormers:
Tries: De Jongh 2
Con: Grant 2
Pen: Grant 4
For Rebels:
Tries: Blake, Phipps, Vuna
Con: Huxley 3
Stormers: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Deon Fourie, 7 Rynhardt Elstadt, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 De Kock Steenkamp, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Brok Harris, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Quinn Roux, 19 Jebb Sinclair, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Gerhard van den Heever.
Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Lachlan Mitchell, 10 James Hilgendorf, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Hugh Perrett, 6 Tim Davidson, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Al Campbell, 19 Ryan Hodson, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 Cooper Vuna, 22 Richard Kingi.
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Comments
Ramage says...
@ Lion Shark can you explain what you mean by loosers. Just how loose are the Stormers and what exactly are you suggesting ? You have me perplexed.
Posted 15:23 19th July 2012
pikes says...
Its funny how the Stormers are critisized for the last two games they played or even better almost all season .... I think most people thought they wouldnt even make the playoffs ! The Crusaders lost to the Rebels and i dont remember them being critized for that and they lost a feww weeks back against the Hurricanes ...They slaughtered the Western Force the next week ...now you have to wonder which team will show up on Saturday. Too many people they are the favourites , to me not they're too inconsistant ! Same with the Bulls and the Sharks.... The Reds are the form team @ the moment but they only played Australian teams and in my opinion are the weakest conference. The Chiefs lost twice in a row but they're suddenly written off. The Stromers are the most consistant team and therefore they will win. To many the games they played are boring , which is pretty stupid because they are winning.
Posted 08:51 16th July 2012
daibok says...
LionShark, never post when drunk, you just look an idiot.
There are reservations about the Stormer's game plan but these will no doubt be discussed by Stormers fans.
The main thing is we have 3 teams in the semis and a possible Newlands final.
Posted 12:44 15th July 2012
Herbman says...
Stormers will lift their intensity tenfold for the semi, this was just the result they needed.
Posted 10:50 15th July 2012
rugbyphile says...
Elstadt is a danger to his team--constant penalties and yellow cards--then he knocks out Aplon with a totally needless charge---Fourie is the best fetcher in SA I think--He is wasted at hooker and easily better than that invisible sluggish Spies at no 8--de Jongh and Fourie starred --would Meyer even consider them unless they went to the Bulls--
Posted 07:31 15th July 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
Bigb, what you seem to have missed is that despite having scored the least amount of tries, they have still won 14 matches out of 16, which is 2 more than the next best.
Posted 06:26 15th July 2012
Wallaroo says...
@bigb6969 blah, blah, blah, what the hec are you babbling on about, what's ypur point/? Mate I think you on here to give Kiwi's a bad name.
Posted 03:56 15th July 2012
porridge_time says...
Crusaders v Cheifs Final is my prediction.
The top to Kiwi sides and Crusaders in particular are looking in better shape than the rest... maybe Reds at an outside bet. Having said that the Stormers in Cape Town is a tall order in itsself, but they will have to play to their best in order to win, which is really a considerable step up from what they have been showing lately.
Posted 02:18 15th July 2012
Cdn_content says...
Watched the game, got to say Im Digusted with the stormers medical staff. Gio aplon was knocked completely unconscious but was allowed to keep playing. What year is this? Do they not now the serious consequences of playing after suffering a serious head injury?
In the UFC and boxing, they immediately stop the match when someone gets hit like that. In rugby, I guess the players safety is not as important.
Posted 00:23 15th July 2012
pikes says...
Lionshark your an idiot ! Its obvious u not a rugby player ! I hope the Stormers win the title idiot .. @bigb6969 against the chiefs it wouldve been hard to win 4 the Stormers but the Brumbies they would have won .. There defense is the best ! That's all that counts think back ! The Stormers have always been known for their running rugby and its brought them no where..one thing I just don't understand about all this negativity towards the stormers is that no-one talks about the Crusaders losses against the Rebels or the one against the Hurricanes ! The Bulls lost twice against the Stormers they were wipped by the Sharks ! The Sharks lost to Lions and Waratahs who the two underperforming teams in Super Rugby ! The Stormers had 3 or 4 poor games but they won . To me that's a sign of a great team just think... What will happen if they hit there straps! Be Scared hope it doesn't happen in 2 weeks time.
Posted 23:03 14th July 2012
FTM89 says...
I`m for SA but after the Bulls and Sharks fall out it will be really hard to salute the Stormers in the semis...Because I do love good rugby and are very fond of the type of rugby all the NZ teams play...
Posted 23:02 14th July 2012
letsgoboks says...
bigb6969 - 3 of the top 6 are south african. enough said. Move on.
Posted 22:08 14th July 2012
armchaircritic says...
The Rebels were much the better side on the day.
The Storners are going to have to up their game if they are to proceed to the final, lt alone win the trophy.
Posted 22:04 14th July 2012
bigb6969 says...
The bottom team inthe NZ conference scored more points than the Stormers. What really telling is the stormers are the lowest try scorers of the whole competition ! 28 tries. The lowest try scorers and they top the table.! I guess it is a commentary on their good defence, Winning is always better than losing, but that is pathetic, 15th ranked team in tries scored. This year they also played all the cellar dwellers, missed the Chiefs and Brumbies, 2 of the better teams. Cheifs missed the Stormers of course, but they did not play the Rebels, the worse defensive team in the league. NZ has the toughest conference by far counted hard against the Chiefs. Australians the worse of course.
Posted 19:19 14th July 2012
Wallaroo says...
Well done Rebels on giving the Stormers a fright, they thought they could sit back and enjoy the ride.
The Stormers have their work cut out if they want to win the S15.
Posted 18:10 14th July 2012
LionShark says...
STORMERS!!! BE AFRAID,,,,BE VERY AFRAID!!!!!!!
What a bunch of ¿ Losers ¿ .
Jean, Alister??? What happened to the no more ¿ Squeakers comment as per R365?
I say again, LOOSERS!!!
With this rugby you shall not win the S15
Posted 16:39 14th July 2012