Gutsy Stormers trumped by Hurricanes’ X-factor

Unlike their last two tours to Australasia, the Stormers were far more accomplished and competitive but still couldn’t break their win drought in Wellington, losing 28-34 to the Hurricanes on Saturday.

The Capetonians’ practical game-plan worked well when they suffocating and physically dominated their opponents yet vital lapses of concentration on defence and the Hurricanes’ ability to create more play saw them miss out.

A tad more variation and better defensive organisation could serve the Stormers well on the rest of their trip.

Who was the star in this match?

This is a shootout between Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea and Stormers hooker Bongi Mbonambi. Both were hugely influential in broken play, with Mbonambi showing some nifty skill in setting up the visitors’ first real attacking opportunity. Savea made a crucial grab for home flyhalf Beauden Barrett’s try, but it was Mbonambi’s superior work ethic on defence (9 tackles) that stood out.

Key moments and themes

• This was by all accounts a game where both teams dominated in respective time-blocks, even though the Hurricanes dominated possession and territory overall. What will frustrate the Stormers is that they couldn’t hammer home their advantage when they took the lead. They either allowed their hosts to speed the game up and strike back or engaged in suspect game-management, particularly in terms of exits.
• The Stormers’ relative success in this game was once again down to a simple, practical game-plan where they focused on dominating the set-pieces, kicking for territory and winning the collisions. When they were on the front foot, it worked a treat. But the backline still isn’t being unlocked enough to provide variation. Whether that’s a strategy or form thing is irrelevant, it needs to be addressed.
• The Hurricanes certainly were discomforted upfront, where their pack were overshadowed by the Stormers’ Springbok-laden group. Yet their attacking variation and X-factor proved decisive as they managed to break the line or go wide at vital moments, allowing them to keep in touch and eventually take the lead.
• With Pieter-Steph du Toit expected now to depart back home for the birth of his first child, the Capetonians will certainly be happy with replacement Jaco Coetzee’s performance. He scored a try and was generally a bulldozer. He’ll be an ideal candidate to fill that void.

Point scorers:

Hurricanes – Tries: Wes Goosen (2), Ben May, Jordie Barrett, Beauden Barrett. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (3). Penalty: Beauden Barrett.

Stormers – Tries: Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Jaco Coetzee. Conversions: SP Marais (2). Penalties: Marais (3).

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