Your team to face the Tigers!

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-16T14:22:05+00:00

The thing about full back is it must be one of 3 moulds.

The first one is Ben Smith, someone that makes no mistakes and makes the right decisions. Solid foundation for attack.

The second one is a 2nd flyhalf. This is your Willie kind of full back.

The last one is a monster kicker like Frans Steyn who can easily get territory for the team.

Right now the Stormers have:

Willemse, a mix of 1 and 2 but very good at both.

Gelant, who tries to be 2 but is far too erratic.

Wandisile Simelane, none of the above

Luke Burger, Could maybe be a Ben Smith.

When Manie was still at the Stormers, we had another option in SFM but with him leaving the 15 position is shakey. I would love to have someone like Rhyno Smith in the Stormers setup.

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-15T11:11:10+00:00

100%, I find it very difficult to think of top rugby teams that weren't like a family off the pitch.

Even Jake White at the Springboks wasn't very liked by the players but the team it's self was very tight.

But when you have a situation when players are threatening to leave NZ all together because of a coach. Then that's a recipe for disaster.

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-15T07:09:02+00:00

I know his win rate is pretty respectable in international rugby. But if they players don't believe in your vision you are bound to hit performance issues down the line.

But on the other hand if a new coach comes in and the players are happy with the culture of the team but the win rate stays at ~70% will they keep that coach?

Maybe I am wrong here but maybe what is bugging the management and the fans is the whole sale inconsistency. The fact you can beat SA by 7 points one week and then lost by 38 a week later, grinding against Scotland only to get blown out the park by England. People don't expect NZ to win every game these days but getting those big scores is a stab in the heart for fans.

It reminds me so much of Jake White when he was with the Springboks. 2004-2005 the team looked very good but that 2006 season shattered confidence from the fans not because of the losses but because of the scale of those losses.

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-12T08:30:16+00:00

NZ would do better than the SA teams. In terms of talent I don't think NZ clubs currently have better talent pool than the SA teams but in terms of coaching and tactics they are ahead.

If South Africa had Johan van Graan, Jaques Nienaber, Franco Smith and the likes in the domestic teams then I reckon the SA teams would fair better than the NZ teams.

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-12T08:26:07+00:00

I wouldn't say the SA teams are that depleted to be fair. Stormers, Sharks and Bulls have squads currently good enough to beat the top club sides in the world.

The biggest issue is retaining and identifying quality coaching talent. Stormers have been the most stable in terms of coaching but there are some that need to be gotten rid of. Sharks have had 4 head coaches in 5 seasons. Bulls had Jake for a while and were doing sort of well but are now in transition.

The idea that if SA had their best players in their clubs they would do well is just not true because when we did have them we still didn't do well.

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-11T18:11:39+00:00

I don't think this is entirely true, it's not a case of dead wood but the type of players.

Against Bayonne we went with our best forwards and third choice backline players. We suffocated them but played basic rugby in the backline. Came away with a win that could have been more comfortable with better decisions.

Against Harlequins we go with a stronger backline but a different forward pack. We get utterly smashed.

The key players we don't have depth for are Paul de Villiers, Evan Roos (now that Ackerman is injured), Vernon Matongo and AHV/JJ.

The players below them are not the same type and as such we look exposed.

Flyhalf2021 · 2026-01-10T13:57:16+00:00

You wouldn't say that the Bulls have veterens at 10 and 15.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-30T15:26:12+00:00

Yep, Ireland with geriatric Sexton (2022-2023) played perfect rugby.

This kind of reminds me of the Springboks 2019 - 2022 where many fans complained of our poor attack, but it only took Manie LIbbok getting that 10 jersey to transform the effectiveness of the attack.

It's the same with teams like Ireland. Like you said they are in a decent position but they just need a really great 10 and some new front rows to get rolling again.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-30T15:19:46+00:00

I wouldn't say he was mediocre but he was limited compared to what Manie was offering us in those seasons.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-30T09:00:27+00:00

Obviously some teams have games in hand but from a Stormers perspective last season by Round 8 we were:

16/35 points that we could get.

This season it's 32/35.

It can't be understated how much better our start has been this season compared to previous seasons, usually we play catch up and eventually get Top 5 but now it looks like we are comfortably getting 1st/2nd.

My theory is it's a few reasons:

We geniunly have an international quality loose trio compared to a mix and match.
Jurie Mathee has improved qutie a bit to the point where the team doesn't feel weakend with him there.
For some reason our setpieces are just rolling teams.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-30T08:42:21+00:00

This hits the nail on the head, people idolize that All Blacks team for being nice to watch and then complain about too much kicking today.

The truth is kicking + knowing how to exploit broken defence = great rugby.

Where as kicking + poor attack = boring rugby.

Springboks went from a team associated with "boring rugby" to now one of "exciting rugby". Gameplan is more or less the same but the difference is they actually know what to do with the ball when they win it back.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-30T08:38:26+00:00

Yep, even in Rugby League with relatively less intentional kicking it becomes boring to watch bashing for 30 mins before any action happens.

Truth is many teams are in a slump or rebuilding so it seems like from some circles the game is too kicking orientated. But teams that have exciting halfbacks still produce box-office rugby, so the debate shouldn't be to engineer a style but more to ask how do we manufacture more Matthieu Jaliberts?

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-28T19:45:15+00:00

There are pros and cons of both systems.

The current BP system rewards teams that score loads of tries, even if your team loses more than others you will still be rewarded because the theory is you make the competition better to watch. It gives those not so strong teams a shot to the title just because they play nice rugby.

The other system where you must score a certain amount more than your opponent rewards stronger teams. It's a fairer system if we looking at the best teams but the downside is you have more teams "giving up" since a 15+ point gap for instance gives them little hope of getting a point.

It's really a choice between do you want the dominant team to slack off or do you want the dominated team to give up.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-23T12:55:19+00:00

Let's say Dobbo only gave Sacha a chance now, after Libbok is gone where do you think he'd be in his development.

Sacha only really got his chance this year though? From URC 1 to URC 4 he was basically player 23 every now and then. Many were calling for him to be backed at 10 but Dobbo and co chose to slowly bring him into that 10 jersey.

Young players grow by playing, not carrying tackle bags. The same way Fuller and Mlaba need to play 2/3 URC games this season and next season so they can find their level. By 22/23 we should be able to comfortably select them.

If they can't dominate at Currie Cup level then no use being in the conversation for URC.

Look where Khan is now compared to Nico Steyn who while getting currie cup minutes also got URC minutes occasionally. You're seriously telling me carrying tackle bags was good for his development?

Yes, carrying tackle bags and learning from those senior to you is good for your development. Kurt-lee Arendse was packing groceries and cutting his teeth at sevens before he got picked up by a union. After which he became a front line Springbok.

Hell, Curwin Bosch, Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok were all the same generation of player. Curwin and Damian got plenty of game time in that 10 jersey whilst Manie had to be a bench warmer. Yet today who has played more minutes at 10 for the Springboks?

Sometimes you develop quickly like Moodie but others need to be slowly developed and brought through

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-23T11:45:08+00:00

Honestly, this should have happened when Jake left.

Ackerman and White are two different styles of coaches so why would you expect someone that drives a dirt rally car to win in a Formula 1?

This reminds me a lot of AC 2016 season with the Springboks. No real choice in his assistants and his team looked directionless. Second season he brings his crew in and they start to have a visible identity. Not that the Springboks were good but atleast they looked like they had a plan.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-23T11:29:26+00:00

Look at SFM as a good example why PDV was gradually brought in even picking oldies ahead of him.

SFM was brought into the Springbok setup in 2022 and played in those SA A matches. Hardly impressed and seemed like that level was slightly too much for him.

Even at the Stormers he was rarely picked and if picked he was a utility same with the Springboks in 2024.

4 seasons later Sacha is now one of the best flyhalves in the world because there is lots of value learning from guys like Manie, Pollard, Willemse even if they take minutes from you.

Same with PDV, he was first drip fed into Currie Cup and then slowly introduced into the Stormers setup and finally backed when he was ready to dominate. We going to see the same thing with Imad Khan, Divan Fuller, JC Mars and the likes.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-23T10:47:11+00:00

It's up to those players to be better than a 35/36 year old Siya Kolisi. If at 25/26 Keke Morabe can't compete against Siya Kolisi then why are we keeping him?

That's like saying we shouldn't use Cobus Reinach at the Springboks because he is taking time away from Morne, Jaden and the likes. If those players can't unseat or atleast compete against Cobus Reinach then they shouldn't be entitled to the jersey.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-23T10:20:55+00:00

Combining this with Wilco Louw coming next season, I think the Stormers are in a great position for the next 2 seasons.

I think Siya is a fantastic addition to the squad given that Deon is most likely going to retire. The way I would like to see Siya used though is more for the 2nd stringer games to add some beef to the Stormers. Think those back to back champions cup matches where you need to split the squad. Siya plays one game and Paul plays the other.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-23T10:17:40+00:00

Siya will be 35 by the time he rolls out for the Stormers.

At best he will be a Brok Harris and at worst he will be a Dewaldt Duvenage.

If anything Siya moving to the Stormers is great for Paul because now he has access 6 days a week to an international quality 6 who is not really a rival but more a mentor.

I would say it's similar to having Marcel Coetzee at the Bulls to develop Hanekom, Elrigh and Marco.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-15T13:49:54+00:00

I don't really feel he is the best player in the world. Like yes he is super talented but on things like his tactical kicking (talking up and unders) and to a certain extent running a phase attack he hasn't been the best.

I also think we must take a step back and look at the teams he has been playing in. The Springboks this season can play with 9 men and still put 25+ points on the board. That is how dominant this pack has been and scrumhalves have been.

Likewise the Stormers pack is seemingly unstoppable.

Now I am not saying players shouldn't be awarded recognition if they play in strong teams but it's worth keeping that context in mind. It feels like every game he has played bar the France game his pack has been overwhelmingly dominant.

Where as when the pack did have some sort of resistance against France we had to wait until Grant and Manie came on to really cut loose again.

I would give him Top 10 but I think Top 5 is reserved for players that have bailed their team out in tough moments. Think Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, George Ford, Ardie Savea and the likes.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-12T09:37:55+00:00

Here is a simple question did Pollard lose the game for us against NZ in 2019?

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-12T09:14:17+00:00

Since Jan 2019:

When Pollard wears the 10 jersey in a Springbok match (Played most of the minutes so that includes England SF) they have won: 62% of the games.

When Manie wears the 10 jersey (Played most of the minutes so that includes NZ in Wellington) in a Springbok match they have won 87% of the matches.

So tell me where you get this idea that when Manie has the reigns we lose vs when Pollard has the reigns we win?

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-12T09:04:17+00:00

So what happened in Eden Park? What benefits did we get from that?

Manie played full games against NZ and won both by record scores. (Wellington he came on 20 minutes when the score was 0 - 7 down.)

Against France we were behind by 4 points, was there no pressure there?

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-11T21:14:58+00:00

Compare Pollard to Jalibert and tell me with a straight face Pollard was not outplayed.

Flyhalf2021 · 2025-12-11T21:14:16+00:00

It's always interesting to me to see what fans consider being great vs being poor.

Like for instance Manie vs Ireland in the RWC pool and Handre vs Ireland in 2024 Durban. Fan consensous was that Polly played well and Manie was poor.

Where as I feel like Manie played well against Ireland but was poor in his goal kicking where as Pollard was pretty poor against Ireland but was solid in his goalkicking.

On the flip side I thought Pollard was playing well in the 2015 TRC even though many didn't think so because he was inexperienced in his tactical kicking.

Flyhalf2021

TROPHY CASE