RugbyRebels

Stormers: Willemse; Hartzenberg, Nel, Du Plessis, Senatla; Libbok, Jantjies; Kitshoff (c), Dweba, Malherbe, Van Rhyn, Orie, Fourie, Dixon, Dayimani.

Replacements: Kotze, Harris, Fouche, Porter, Engelbrecht, Theunissen, De Wet, Blommetjies

Harlequins: David; Marchant, Northmore, Esterhuizen, Murley; Smith, Care (c); Marler, Walker, Louw, Lamb, Herbst, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Riley, Baxter, Collier, Hammond, Lawday, Gjaltema, Allan, Beard

Big game for Dombrandt this. If he goes missing here, after failing to perform against France, Ireland, and Saracens and a history of not turning up for the big game, I think we have to write him off as incapable of stepping up to the top level.

Puja

Interesting game for Quins to go back to dual opensides. I thought they might have kept with one of the bigger guys at 6 (or randomly given him the 7 shirt and left the openside at 6) in order to give them some more physicality.

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:21 pm Big game for Dombrandt this. If he goes missing here, after failing to perform against France, Ireland, and Saracens and a history of not turning up for the big game, I think we have to write him off as incapable of stepping up to the top level.

Puja

...good one.

Quins getting very little from the ref but also being really poor all round, apart from the scrum.

Stormers getting away with far more at the breakdown.
Murley has been superb, imo.

Quins look like they couldn't even find the pub car park to meet up.

They do look poor. Their big players especially.,

Smith looks like he hasn’t got a clue how to unlock this defence. Mistakes a plenty from Quins. They’ve not adapted to the ref or the Stormers at all. They’ve been very poor.

Too many silly mistakes from Quins.

Finally some continuity than Andre drops it.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:37 pm Smith looks like he hasn’t got a clue how to unlock this defence. Mistakes a plenty from Quins. They’ve not adapted to the ref or the Stormers at all. They’ve been very poor.

Every time Smith gets the ball there are three Stormers with it.

Quins having to work incredibly hard to get over the gain line, their forwards just haven't been able to compete physically. Two opensides meant a lot was reliant on Dombrandt making some hard yards and he's failed miserably. Kenningham has done well further out but they need a lot more.

A bit of momentum and Quins backs come alive but the Stormers have done well to limit that.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:31 pm
Murley has been superb, imo.

The Murray Walker kiss of death.

This is like watching England: missed opportunities, mistakes, more mistakes, forwards losing the physical battle, half backs ineffective - then Quins score at last!

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:41 pm Two opensides meant a lot was reliant on Dombrandt making some hard yards and he's failed miserably. Kenningham has done well further out but they need a lot more.

I’d be looking at the front five, particularly Herbst, if apportioning blame re carrying.

Smith and Dombers showing what they can do if given front foot ball.

and again!

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:41 pm Quins having to work incredibly hard to get over the gain line, their forwards just haven't been able to compete physically. Two opensides meant a lot was reliant on Dombrandt making some hard yards and he's failed miserably. Kenningham has done well further out but they need a lot more.

A bit of momentum and Quins backs come alive but the Stormers have done well to limit that.

Dombrandt still just plays for a few mins at a time and then disappears for a bit. It is staggering from an international player. He could be so good, but just drifts in and out of games.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:51 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:41 pm Quins having to work incredibly hard to get over the gain line, their forwards just haven't been able to compete physically. Two opensides meant a lot was reliant on Dombrandt making some hard yards and he's failed miserably. Kenningham has done well further out but they need a lot more.

A bit of momentum and Quins backs come alive but the Stormers have done well to limit that.

Dombrandt still just plays for a few mins at a time and then disappears for a bit. It is staggering from an international player. He could be so good, but just drifts in and out of games.

I think it’s how he plays/his strengths. He runs good lines, offloads well etc he’s great on front foot ball but if you’re in an arm wrestle are the game gets bogged down…

The two young Quins front rows have looked very lively. I dread to think how much Collier’s splits hurt.

I just think he’s lazy. So talented but just short on effort. He can do things that the other contenders can’t, but he also just disappears when he should stand up and stamp himself on the game.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:56 pm The two young Quins front rows have looked very lively. I dread to think how much Collier’s splits hurt.

Yeah Baxter and Riley are both very good talents.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Sat Apr 01, 2023 4:57 pm I just think he’s lazy. So talented but just short on effort. He can do things that the other contenders can’t, but he also just disappears when he should stand up and stamp himself on the game.

I suppose you’d need to look at his gps etc stats. I doubt he’d have got as far as test rugby if he’s lazy.

32-28 to Stormers. Maybe Quins thought they needed the bonus point and started playing in the last 5 mins.

Late tries put a gloss on the score but Quins were well beaten. Difficult for an attack to really function if you cant win the gain line battle.
Dombrandt is frustrating. He took his tries really well, put in a few nice touches but overall you feel his contribution doesnt match his ability.