Stormers resolve mirrors class of '99
Tue, 13 May 2008 23:26
Old school: Andy Marinos in action for WP back in 1999
The Stormers have a good chance of getting another shot at the Super 14 play-offs, but first they have to overcome a rejuvenated Lions outfit at Ellis Park this Saturday.
The Super 14 log-jam in and around the play-off positions has elicited huge interest in the results of the final set of round-robin matches, which will be concluded on Saturday.
Winning the match will be first and foremost to the Stormers. Four points is of course the minimum requirement for qualification, depending on the results of the other contending teams. A bonus point will be very welcome, but coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Jean de Villiers have repeatedly warned that chasing bonus points prematurely can end in tears.
Invariably many pundits and fans have drawn parallels recently between Rassie Erasmus's current Stormers crop, and the Stormers squads that have made the play-offs in the past - in 1999 and 2004.
Andy Marinos was part of that famous Stormers class of 1999, which made the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time in the history of the franchise, before a loss to the Highlanders at Newlands cost them a place in the Final.
A certain Tony Brown was part of that excellent Highlanders team that ended the season for the Stormers, but nine years later he is helping the Capetonians in their play-off bid.
Back then, the Stormers boasted a team packed with talent, very much like now.
The likes of Skinstad, Fleck, Rossouw, Montgomery, Krige, Van Straaten, Paulse, Kempson and Van der Linde were all part of that vintage, famously dubbed the 'Men in Black'.
Marinos revealed to rugby365.com what a privilege it was to be part of that special group of players that enjoyed such a rich run of form in 1999 under coach Alan Solomons.
"The major thing that comes to mind is how phenomenal the supporters of Cape Town were," said Marinos, recalling his playing days.
"We had the whole 'Men in Black' theme. I remember running out there in front of a packed Newlands the one game, I think against the Crusaders. They dubbed it 'Black Saturday'.
"I think the phenomenal support we had, was something special, and also the camaraderie."
The centre, who partnered Springbok Robbie Fleck in midfield for the Stormers, also said that he recognised certain similarities between the squad of '99 and this year's young guns.
"I think we're starting to see glimpses of it in this current squad, the great camaraderie.
"I also remember how close everybody was.
"When I look back, from Dan van Zyl at scrumhalf, to Braam [van Straaten], to myself and Fleckie [Robbie Fleck], and Slaptjips [Pieter Rossouw] and Monty [Percy Montgomery] and Breyton [Paulse], we were all good mates and we would all die for each other on the field.
"There was a really good 'gees' [spirit] amongst the guys. For me we were playing an attractive, exciting brand of rugby, and I think we're seeing exactly the same from this crop of guys.
"They're playing for each other, but they're also wanting to play an nice expansive game of rugby, and that's what the Cape Town public love," declared the WP stalwart.
Marinos added that the Lions would provide the Stormers with a stern challenge, but that the Cape Town franchise should come up with all the right answers. He was at the same time careful not to underestimate the Gautengers, who surprised all and sundry with a remarkable victory over the Chiefs last Saturday.
"This week against the Lions, they just have to stay focussed on the job at hand, and make sure they get the points they need to get to the semifinals.
"I think you underestimate [the Lions] at your peril. They haven't performed as well as they would have expected [this season], but you can't underestimate them.
"But I would think that the Stormers would certainly beat the Lions this weekend, if they stay focussed and make sure they get the five points. From there, we just have to wait until ten past nine on Saturday night to see what the permutations are."
The derby factor is another element that seems to spoil the party for South African semifinal hopefuls more often than not.
It is interesting to note that the Stormers did lose against the Cats in the corresponding fixture back in '99, but were already qualified to play a home semifinal against the Highlanders.
Marinos commented on the ferocity of South African derby matches, and said that the traditional rivalries between South African teams was an enduring characteristic.
"I think [the derby element] is a huge factor. I think we saw last weekend with the Sharks and the Cheetahs. Notwithstanding the fact that the Sharks have struggled with the Cheetahs in the past, it was really only in the last two minutes of the game that the Sharks actually got away from the Cheetahs.
"I think for all our years of isolation, we had very strong provincial structures. A Provincial scalp is sometimes far more important than an Australasian scalp to the South African franchises.
"Also this time of the season, playing good, positive rugby should yield positive results. Unfortunately, derbies tend to be quite negative affairs, and it becomes more about the man than the ball.
"We just hope that both teams, and the Lions to that degree, go out there with that frame of mind, to play a good, exciting brand of rugby. I know the Stormers like to give the ball a bit of air, and play an attractive game which we've become accustomed to over the last five weeks."
It was inevitable that Marinos would show his true colours, after playing for Western Province and the Stormers all those years.
He duly backed the Newlands-based side, which he felt had the necessary quality to go all the way in the competition - if they manage to drag themselves into a play-off berth on Saturday.
"I think the Stormers have a lot of resolve. They hung in there, we saw that defensive record for the last 20 or 30 minutes against the Waratahs. That comes back to what I said about the camaraderie in the team.
"They have a tendency to start very well, and have a bit of a lull period in the middle. I think they're focusing to make sure their second half is stronger than their first half.
"Certainly when you get into finals rugby, that's what it's all about. You have to have that tough mental resolve, being able to apply the pressure for 80 minutes.
"Saying that, the team is playing with so much confidence. Their defensive effort last week showed the character of the team.
"I have no doubt that if they get to the semifinal of the competition, they'll be able to pull it through, no matter where they're playing," he concluded.
Whatever happens this coming weekend, it will be a nervy afternoon for a number of teams and their supporters. And the tournament organisers could not have asked for a better run-up to the play-offs.
By Phil Coetzer
