Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Stormers gain Chiefs revenge to stay perfect

Stormers celebrate at Newlands

Stormers gained a measure of revenge of for last season’s humiliating play-off defeat by maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season with a thrilling 34-26 beating of Chiefs, whose own unbeaten start came to an end.

ADVERTISEMENT

Robbie Fleck had faced New Zealand opposition just once as Stormers head coach before Saturday’s Super Rugby contest at Newlands, and that ended in a 60-21 battering in the favour of Chiefs.

It was a different outcome on this occasion, though, as Stormers edged a fine contest by running in four tries to three.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored the first try of the game for the hosts in just the third minute, only for an Aaron Cruden penalty and a score from Toni Pulu to have the Chiefs in front.

The lead continued to switch with Stormers captain Siyamthanda Kolisi scoring before Pulu had his second for Chiefs.

But Stormers took control of the match with tries either side of the break from Robert du Preez and SP Marais.

James Lowe scored out wide for Chiefs to make it an interesting finale, but Stormers held firm for a sixth straight win.

Meanwhile, Sharks rebounded from a tight defeat to Lions last time out by narrowly defeating Argentinian side Jaguares 18-13 at Kings Park.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cobus Reinach’s early unconverted try for the hosts was cancelled out by Nicolas Sanchez’s two penalties, but Curwin Bosch split the posts himself to have Sharks leading 8-6 at the break.

Andre Esterhuizen touched down shortly after the break, but Sharks were forced to withstand a nervy ending when Agustin Creevy scored for Jaguares – only for another Bosch penalty to ease their fears.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 32 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out' Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out'
Search