Stormers put the boot into Crusaders

[zimeric]

http://super14.com/news/viewarticle.asp?id=25650

The Stormers gave the Crusaders chances of hosting a home semi-final a hammer blow when they beat them by 42 points to 14 in Cape Town.

The result means that the Stormers became the first South African team to beat all five New Zealand Super 14 teams in one year.


Grant took eight penalty kicks and converted seven of them into points while Crusaders kicker Dan Carter had one kick at the posts for a penalty which he missed. Carter did however convert both of the Crusaders tries.

The Stormers outscored the Crusaders by three tries to two thanks to a late second try by Jaque Fourie.


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well thats left the third & Fourth Spots WIDE open.. Tahs still have a good chance of getting in the fourth spot and if the Crusaders play the next 2 like they did last night they are in deep poo.

[Sheikh]

Not if the Tahs play like they did against the Highlanders! They've got the Chiefs and Hurricanes to play yet, and I wouldn't count the 'Canes out.

The last week has Tahs vs Hurricanes and Crusaders vs Brumbies. The Tahs might need the Brumbies to do them a favour.

Of course, the final week also has Stormers vs Bulls as the final regular season match. Good chance of those two then meeting again either the next week or the week after.

[The EnForcer]

Surely the Crusaders didn't give away that many penalties within kicking distance.....

[Timbo]

Yep - we got the Saders and Tahds competing for the AB-WRC Choking Cup.
My tip is that the Tahds will be the least worst and scrape into top4

[beige]

Bit unfair to accuse the Crusaders of choking... or were they really that bad last night?

[Timbo]

Since week 6 they have beaten the Tahds and the Cheetahs ........


aaaaagghhhh - I can't breathe!!

[beige]

That just sounds like they're off their game then. The Tahs last night on the other hand...

[Timbo]

And after they lose to the Bulls next week?

[welshrugbyfan]

That just sounds like they're off their game then. The Tahs last night on the other hand...

Away wins are a big ask.

[Timbo]

Stormers 42 Crusaders 14

[beige]

Yes I can read scores - but as you said, they've been off form for over a month now. That's not a choke - unless you regard 5 weeks of bad form as a choke.

[Timbo]

OK - emphysema!

[beige]

Hahaha - OK I'll pay that...

[JediKnight]

Surely the Crusaders didn't give away that many penalties within kicking distance.....

Just watched the match....Stormers were strong, Crusaders were below-par but Dickinson was absolutely appalling with the whistle. He wanted to be the centre of attention and had a big love-in with the Stormers all night.

The Stormers only really showed their true class in the last 10 minutes with 2 tries...but the match was already over due to the Ranga's over officious whistle-blowing.

[Timbo]

So, new ladder order?:

Refs
Daylight
Bulls
Stormers
Crusaders
Reds
.........
.........

---------- Post added at 09:50 ---------- Previous post was at 09:46 ----------

I reckon the Saders will bounce the Ponies on their way home but will have to rely on the Canes beating the Tahs in the final round to make the 4.