Tue 10 Apr 2012 | 03:37
Joe Pietersen's sensational try for the Stormers against the Highlanders

17
Comments

The Stormers maintained the best defensive record in Super Rugby 2012 as they beat the Highlanders 21-6 at the Otago Stadium on Saturday. In the first half Joe Pietersen crossed for a superb counter-attacking try, another contender for try of the season.

When watching this on the weekend, one couldnt help but think back to two season's ago and that unbelievable team effort against the Chiefs, when they went the length of the field before Bryan Habana casually finished it off.

On this occasion it was slightly different, but yet another fantastic try on the road, this time started and finished by dynamic 27 year old fullback, Joe Pietersen.

Gio Aplon had scored earlier after some good pressure and a hack ahead from Jean De Villiers. Despite the comfortable win, De Villiers says this top of the table clash 'definitely wasn't easy'.

"It was against a quality side and we were probably a bit lucky with some tries in the first half but we’ll definitely take the win," said the Stormers skipper.

They are now the only unbeaten side in the competition, and have the best defensive record, stats that will hold them in good stead when they take on the Crusaders next weekend.

This try by Pietersen started way back in the Stormers half after the Highlanders failed to break their watertight defence, and were in fact driven back a few times.

While the Stormers have looked more composed than flashy of late, they do have the ability to score tries like this and have an interesting few weeks away from home coming up, as they face the Crusaders, the Reds, and then the Force before heading back to Cape Town.

If this try, and Pietersen himself, reminds you of a certain former All Black wing with similar features, you'll be pleased to know that the commentator giving his approval is actually none other than try scoring machine, Jeff Wilson.

View highlights of the Highlanders vs Stormers here

17 Comments

  • terminan
    7:14 PM 12/04/2012

    it was kinda creepy the way the crowd just went silent when he scored

  • modeselektor
    1:17 AM 12/04/2012

    Nothing special...tries like this in the NH every week


    Ha! OJ, loved this try. Great fullback counter attack and excellent chip to finish.

  • mise
    9:02 PM 11/04/2012

    @thamesrowingclub

    that's good.

  • quins1
    4:48 PM 11/04/2012

    amazing try

  • jwall
    4:02 PM 11/04/2012

    The defender couldn't tackle him while the chip was in the air, even though he was next to him.
    That's the whole point of a little chip and chase like that.
    Otherwise the guy just would have clobbered him.

  • thamesrowingclub
    1:23 AM 11/04/2012

    That's exactly what I would have done in that situation.

  • mise
    12:49 AM 11/04/2012

    brilliant. Great technique in the chip and the line to take the pass. Used the ref nicely too at the start! (line taken again, c replay)

    perfect all round try really

  • stroudos
    11:37 PM 10/04/2012

    AWESOME

  • moddeur
    11:20 PM 10/04/2012

    Superb skills! Especially that last kick, wow.

  • terminan
    10:23 PM 10/04/2012

    nice try. RD any chance of getting a vid of craig gilroys try v munster it was class

  • poccio
    10:20 PM 10/04/2012

    Although had he not chipped the ball the defender could have tackled him, this way the defender had to turn and try and catch the ball, and when he didn't he tackled him but JP had already gained those crucial 5-6m that allowed him to get in on momentum alone. That said I agree with you: Superb try!

  • clements99
    8:37 PM 10/04/2012

    brilliant try great support play but wtf is with one direction playing in a rugby stadium for?

  • nivek
    8:35 PM 10/04/2012

    What is with the gay songs playing in the stadium?

  • will.f
    7:45 PM 10/04/2012

    Is it just me or did he smack his head into the ground when he dove? He seems a bit dazed walking around afterward...
    Great try, though.

  • fettsack
    7:05 PM 10/04/2012

    Superb try! He made the right calls all along, keeping it when it was the better option and passing it in the right timing.
    The little kick in the end seems a bit pointless because when he collects it again the defender is still at his level and not behind him. The kicking technique is absolutely perfect in full speed though!

  • fatprop
    6:31 PM 10/04/2012

    What a try ! Credit to the full back for not just smashing that ball into row z. And some brilliant offloading I am sure that in the NH we don't seem to offload and keep the ball moving, too many players always look for contact. Great try from every player involved.

  • ramrugby10
    6:30 PM 10/04/2012

    Brilliant try... Then he gets up and walks away like it was nothing... No showboating or crazy celebration... Just like the good old days. Awesome to see!