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Stormers v Chiefs: The Hard Numbers
By Sam Smith
The Chiefs will be hoping for a repeat of last season's quarter final thrashing of the Stormers, while the home side are looking for just their second finals victory in 9 attempts.
The numbers don't definitively point in any one direction ahead of this clash but they do make for interesting reading...
- The Stormers earned an eight-point win against the Chiefs when they met in Round 7 this season and will search for back-to-back wins against them for the first time since 2008; however, the Chiefs earned a comprehensive 60-21 win when these teams met in last season’s quarter-finals.
- The Stormers have only one Finals Series win to their name in Super Rugby history despite playing in eight such fixtures (L7).
- The Chiefs have won five and drawn one of their seven fixtures away from home this season; their only road loss came when they traveled to Cape Town in Round 7.
- The Chiefs have conceded only 13 first-half tries so far this season, the fewest of any team in the competition and 20 fewer than the Stormers.
- SP Marais has made 31 offloads so far this campaign, the equal most of any player in the competition and six more than Chiefs’ best Damian McKenzie (25).
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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