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Stormers gain Chiefs revenge to stay perfect

By Peter Hanson
Stormers celebrate at Newlands

Stormers gained a measure of revenge of for last season’s humiliating play-off defeat by maintaining their 100 per cent start to the season with a thrilling 34-26 beating of Chiefs, whose own unbeaten start came to an end.

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Robbie Fleck had faced New Zealand opposition just once as Stormers head coach before Saturday’s Super Rugby contest at Newlands, and that ended in a 60-21 battering in the favour of Chiefs.

It was a different outcome on this occasion, though, as Stormers edged a fine contest by running in four tries to three.

Sikhumbuzo Notshe scored the first try of the game for the hosts in just the third minute, only for an Aaron Cruden penalty and a score from Toni Pulu to have the Chiefs in front.

The lead continued to switch with Stormers captain Siyamthanda Kolisi scoring before Pulu had his second for Chiefs.

But Stormers took control of the match with tries either side of the break from Robert du Preez and SP Marais.

James Lowe scored out wide for Chiefs to make it an interesting finale, but Stormers held firm for a sixth straight win.

Meanwhile, Sharks rebounded from a tight defeat to Lions last time out by narrowly defeating Argentinian side Jaguares 18-13 at Kings Park.

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Cobus Reinach’s early unconverted try for the hosts was cancelled out by Nicolas Sanchez’s two penalties, but Curwin Bosch split the posts himself to have Sharks leading 8-6 at the break.

Andre Esterhuizen touched down shortly after the break, but Sharks were forced to withstand a nervy ending when Agustin Creevy scored for Jaguares – only for another Bosch penalty to ease their fears.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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