Reds finally beat Stormers in Super XV – Rugby news
Stormers had to face it as the unbeaten team of the tournament finally ended up on the losing side in front of the 40,000 people at Newlands Rugby Stadium.
Reds who were under all sort of the media pressure as the South African media was all over them seem to kept them away from the off-field controversies and saved their energy for the on field show. The built up for this big game was tremendous, atmosphere
in the ground was excellent, and the match for the most of the time looked like to be evenly poised points wise irrespective of the fact that Reds appeared to be the better team playing on the field.
Full marks to the Ewen McKenzie for his strategy and tactics most importantly in handling his players and protecting them from entering into a negative state of mind as they prepared themselves to take up the challenge of the Super XV leaders and unbeaten
team.
Reds with this win have topped both the Australian Conference and the Super XV combined table. This is Reds 6th win in the tournament that has enabled them to secure 30 points. Although Crusaders also have the 30 points from the same number of matches (seven),
however Reds have better point difference ratios.
Reds have easily dominated over the Stormers in each aspect of game particularly in ball possession and the success ratio of completing the passes. Stormers did not seem to recover from the first minute penalty miss by their Fly Half Peter Grant, who so
far this year enjoyed a fantastic record this season for scoring penalties.
It was the start of the bad day in field for Stormers as Peter Grant missed his first penalty after consecutively scoring 13 in previous matches. Stormers show a determined effort in defence and full marks to the Reds who were innovative in their approach
to change their game plan to dismantle the strong Stormers defence.
Stormers were cut short to 14 men as their Number 8 Duane Vermeulen was shown yellow card in the eighth minute for throwing punches. Reds slowly started to enjoy more territory in the Stormers have and Stormers defence was repeatedly asked questions by the
Reds.
As a result of the pressure exerted and some fine moves from the Reds, Stormers defence started to become penetrate-able. This forced Stormers defence to make some hasty tackles, which costs them severely as Reds, capitalized on the opportunities being offered
in the Stormers half. It was Reds Fly Half Quade Cooper who scored on three consecutive penalties in the 24th, 29th and 32nd minute of the game to put the Reds in the lead.
Before the end of the first half, Stormers well able to come deep into the Reds half and forced a mistake to win a penalty for them. Stormers Fly Half Peter Grant scored the penalty just before the end of the first half to take the score to 9 – 3 at the
end of the first half.
Stormers came back strongly in the second half of the game and enjoyed more ball and territory possession but Reds hold on to the Stormers Charge. During this phase, Reds only conceded a single penalty during the 57th minute on which Grant capitalised to
put on board the last scoring points for Stormers in the match.
During the 67th minute, Stormers again become a player less as their Hooker Deon Fourie was shown yellow card. Quade Cooper scored on the penalty awarded to shut the crowd down and again extend the lead by six points.
Stormers unlike the 1st half were not able to hold on the Reds surge with a man less. Reds Centre Mike Harris scored the first try of the game followed by Cooper’s conversion to severely dent the Stormers leaving them trailing by 13 points in the 74th minute.
In the remaining six minutes, Stormers give their best to score to reduce the lead and earn the losing bonus point however; Reds remained firm in their defence and negated every move to ensure that the Stormers end the second half by conceding the game.
This was Stormers first loss in the Super XV Reds deserve full credit for their splendid performance. Stormers need to leave this game behind and must concentrate on the upcoming game as very often a loss is followed by another. Stormers will take on the
Lions while Reds will host the current super rugby champions Bulls at Suncorp Stadium next week.
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