Stormers 2012: Will This Be Their Year?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: February 7, 2012

commentComment        

In 2010, the Stormers reached their first Super Rugby final. They ultimately lost in the final against a more experienced and fired-up Bulls team. In 2011, they qualified for their second consecutive semifinal, this time losing comprehensively to the rampaging Crusaders.

So will 2012 finally be their year?

Whilst they certainly have some more experience in knock-outs after falling in the final hurdles in recent seasons, they have also lost a number of key personnel. There is an abundance of young talent coming through the ranks, and when it comes to the big stage and the pressures of knock-out rugby, experience is often the factor that pushes the team through.

Experience is often the factor that determines whether a team will be labeled a bunch of also-rans or a bunch of Champions. The biggest departure would seem to be Jaque Fourie, whose experience and ability to marshal the defence will be sorely missed. The Stormers have relied on their resilient defence to shut teams out, and the absence of Fourie could leave them exposed in midfield.

Responsibility for leadership will now fall on Jean de Villiers, who will have to organize defensive lines from the inside centre channel. The Stormers have also lost two promising centres in Johann Sadie and Tim Whitehead, who have both left to further their careers at the Bulls and Sharks, respectively.

As much as poor player management will be blamed for these departures, it presents Juan de Jongh with the firm opportunity to cement the No.13 jersey and make it his own. Other notable players to have left include promising young centre JJ Engelbrecht and fly-half Lionel Cronje (both Bulls).

However, the departure that will most likely affect the Stormers is that of flanker Francois Louw, who has played the fetching role to great acclaim in recent years. The Stormers will enter the competition without a recognized fetcher, and this could prove to be their sho...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!