Well, you`ll have to go far to find a better backline, on paper at least, than the Stormers class of 2007- Jean De Villiers, Brent Russell, Conrad Jantjies, Peter Grant, Tonderai Chavanga, Breyton Paulse, Bolla Conradie- all capped Bokke. Throw in the flair of the 7`s Boks like Aplon, and you get the picture. And the entire back row of Van Niekerk, Burger and Watson are also capped Boks. And exactly where did that get us? Super 9th place on the log, that`s where.
Right, so 3 areas have been identified as real problematic- the coaching, the management and the captaincy. Fortunately in Rassie, we look to have a more astute coach on board for next season. But unless Wagner, the CEO, dies or fecks off, I really can`t see us improving much more than maybe, maybe sneeking up to 6th place at best. Under Wagner`s watch, we`ve lost Pieter De Villiers to France, Cobus Visagie to Saracens, Guthro Steenkamp to the Free State( before becoming a Bull), Pat Barnard to England- and the only "fatty" we`ve been able to keep for more than 3 seasons is Eddie Andrews- because we can`t sell him. Heck, we can`t even give him away. And without a right shoulder, well you`re basically screwed. Just ask the Reds....
And don`t get me started on Luke`s lack of leadership skills. He can`t even keep his composure in the face of a CC game against the B-Bulls. And there was so much talk about rifts in the Stormers camp last season, where there`s a smoke.......
So basically what I`m saying is this- unless we start afresh, new captain and new CEO to go with the new coach, and are patient, building on little successes at a time, getting more consistent, well, mid-table mediocrity it`ll be again.
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