Three-try Stormers clinch playoff spot

The Stormers beat the Western Force 22-3 in their Super Rugby clash in Perth. EPA/RICHARD WAINRIGHT

The Stormers beat the Western Force 22-3 in their Super Rugby clash in Perth. EPA/RICHARD WAINRIGHT

Published Jul 9, 2016

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It was like one of those dark Cape winter storms in Perth on Saturday, but the Stormers overcome a 100 percent rain forecast to beat the Force with a bonus point to clinch Africa Conference 1.

It was a scrappy start with just three points to each team after 37 minutes, but two tries in quick succession before halftime put the Stormers out of reach at 15-3 at the nib Stadium.

But they had to work hard for their bonus point after scoring their third try with 22 minutes to go to triumph 22-3 for an unbeaten tour of Australia – where they achieved a maximum 10 log points – and a place in the playoffs, which will come as a great relief to coach Robbie Fleck in his first season in charge.

The weather conditions, with rain teeming down for the entire first half, saw the Stormers move away from their attacking mindset to put boot to ball. But halfbacks Jean-Luc du Plessis and Nic Groom didn’t vary their kicking games, and the Force back-three found it easy to field the ball and in fact made good yards by running it back.

Things took a turn for the worse when outside centre Daniel du Plessis was very unfortunate to be yellow-carded in the 11th minute following a clash with Force wing Marcel Brache in the air.

Du Plessis had his eye on the ball, but Brache went up high, with his hip striking the Stormers No 13 against the head. Du Plessis had to be taken off on a stretcher, but New Zealand referee Mike Fraser still dished out a yellow card.

But after all the huffing and puffing early on, the Stormers finally found their range just before halftime. A sweeping move upfield, punctuated by a series of pick-and-go surges, saw the Cape side getting to within 10 metres of the Force’s line. Fortunately for the Stormers, referee Fraser for once missed an infringement, with Damian de Allende appearing to knock the ball on.

And both Eben Etzebeth and Jaco Taute showed good patience with quick hands instead of taking contact, and wing Kobus van Wyk cantered in out wide for the first try of the game.

Fleck’s team struck again three minutes later when a clever lineout move saw Nic Groom being released down the blindside, and the scrumhalf found a flying Leolin Zas on his inside.

The Stormers wing was brought down just short of the line, and so too was captain Schalk Burger. But the ball came out quickly to Siya Kolisi, who thundered over the whitewash.

Even though the rain abated somewhat in the second half, the Stormers battled to dispatch the Force entirely despite having a dominant scrum – where loosehead prop Alistair Vermaak performed solidly in place of the injured Oli Kebble – while Eben Etzebeth was outstanding in the lineouts, winning his own ball and poaching quite a few from the Force too.

But after turning the ball over on attack a few times, the Stormers struck in the third quarter with a wonderful counter-attack from Taute, who for once didn’t kick the ball back. Instead, the former Springbok took the ball up and drew the defence before finding Van Wyk on the outside, and the No 14 outstripped the cover and had a clear run-in to the corner.

The Force kept on battling away and came close to scoring a few times, but a resolute Stormers defence held out strongly. Replacement centre Huw Jones lost the ball over the tryline in the final seconds, but it didn’t matter as the bonus point was in the bank.

“It was difficult as the weather didn’t play its part,” Burger said in the post-match TV interview. “The Force put us under pressure and we lost a bit of accuracy in the second half. We had a big chat when we were down to 14 men, and are pleased with the performance. If we play well, we should beat the Kings (next week). It’s been a tough season so far, but looking forward to the playoffs.”

The Stormers move up to 46 points, with their last game against the Southern Kings next Saturday at Newlands (5.05pm kickoff) before the playoffs.

POINTS-SCORERS

Western Force – Penalty: Jono Lance (1).

Stormers – Tries: Kobus van Wyk (2), Siya Kolisi. Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (2). Penalty: Du Plessis (1).

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