I can't help but think the Stormers have approached the season in the wrong frame of mind.
They played some great rugby during the first half of the opener against the Sharks, but that's where it ended.
In those 40 minutes Rassie's men hardly slipped any tackles and broke the Sharks line with ease. To me they looked better prepared than the Sharks, who were weak in the tackle (still are) and rarely brought their play-makers into the game (still struggling).
So, if ! the Stormers were well prepared, what went wrong?
I say they've dropped the intensity too low. Perhaps they're looking ahead to a long tour down under and players like Schalk Burger and Andries Bekker are 'saving' themselves for 'tougher' matches.
It's not far fetched for teams to think like that. Certainly the Stormers' failed tactic of kicking the ball up field is a gameplan that minimizes 'grunt' work, which we've seen very little of so far.
For example, Schalk seems to be playing for par, when he should be doing what he does best. He made far too many passes against the Blues when he should be running through defenders. He simply isn't effective if he doesn't put his body on the line. He may have been told to tone it down to prolong his career, but that's not what he's about and that's not what makes him one of the best flankers in the world.
The Super 14 is tough and long, but giving 80 percent is just too much of a gamble. I! 'd rather like to see Rassie rotate the squad and call on play! ers to g ive 100 percent for 80 minutes.
