Stormers 'still in shock'
2005-04-17 21:21
Cape Town - The Stormers have no more interest in the Super 12 stakes after the loss to the Crusaders on Saturday. However, they can still play a role by being supportive of the Bulls.
Mike Bayly, assistant coach of the Bulls, said on Sunday that the other three South African teams could still make an important contribution to his team's fortunes. The more wins these teams can achieve, the easier it will become for the Bulls to reach the semi-finals.
The first favour the Stormers can do the Bulls is beating the Blues on Saturday. The Blues have a five-point lead over the Bulls and if they leave the South African shores without a victory it will be a bonus to the men from Pretoria.
Bayly said he was surprised at the performance of the Crusaders against the Stormers after they were beaten by the Bulls a week ago. But he was not the only one.
"It is one thing to lose after you have given your all right to the end. But to simply capitulate?" said Breyton Paulse. "We are all still in shock."
The men in black committed a number of critical handling errors and caused their own downfall. After the break the line-outs started causing problems and in a flash the Crusaders started making capital out of that and used the possession thus gained to attack the goal-line.
The unthinkable occurred seven tries later when the Stormers were jeered by the few people who managed to stay until the end.
It was a sublime performance by the Crusaders - all done with precision and at speed.
The excuses for the Stormers have also dried up and something drastic will have to be done to save their pride in the four remaining games.
Whether the Stormers coaching staff will have the courage to leave out some of the struggling big names, will be seen in the next few days.