26 March
Stormers wary of Crusaders comeback
Stormers captain Jean de Villiers believes the Super 14 defending champions Crusaders will hit a revival after struggling in the beginning stages of the competition.
The Crusaders have traditionally been the early pace setters in the competition but in 2009 they embarked on their campaign without ace playmaker Dan Carter and coach Robbie Deans. The experienced trio of captain Richie McCaw, Leon Macdonald and Brad Thorn also missed some of the early action.
The Crusaders bounced back to beat the Waratahs last weekend after losing to the Highlanders and drawing with the Force in the previous two rounds. De Villiers stressed that this is a sign that Crusaders are starting to build some momentum.
“The Crusaders is not a team with many weak points. Everybody knows they initially battled with a new coach and several injuries,” De Villiers said in an interview on the Stormers’ website.
“They are finding their feet now and are showing better form and they would be smarting for a win at home after losing a few there earlier.”
De Villiers said every game was important in the Super 14 and they don’t regard this one as more important than the rest because it was the first one.
“We want to win every game we play and this one is no different. If it doesn’t happen we have four other games in which we can do it so we can still make a success of the tour.”
De Villiers won’t be making his 50th Stormers appearance in his customary No.12 jumper after being shifted to outside centre to accommodate Peter Grant’s inclusion with Gcobani Bobo moving to the wing for the Crusaders clash.
However, he is happy to do duty there and has no qualms about Grant on his inside and Bobo on his outside.
“I played with Peter a lot before in the 10 and 12 channel. Now it is just a bit wider and we know each other well,” he said.
“Bobes is just in the outside channel and the fact that we played together so often at centre would hopefully help us to make a success of things on Saturday.”
He also added that being away from home was helpful in the sense that people didn’t recognize them on the street and it helped to create a more relaxed atmosphere.
“There is always an extra bit of pressure at home but it is always good to know that your people support you. The guys prepared well and we are focused, so hopefully we can get a win for our supporters.”
Source: rugby365.com
Tags: jean de villiers, stormers
March 27th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Speaking to Stormer supporters the past week has me terribly worried about tomorrow morning’s clash of the mental (finally) prepared sides who has been underperforming thus far in the competition.
Stormer optimism usualy ends in dispair of a combination of things – more often than not a lack of rhythm, an untimely injury, poor refereeing like Matt Goddard or Willie Roos. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
Losing to two South African sides should be the end of semi-final hopes for another South African side – however wouldn’t it be great to see 3 SA sides in the semi-finals!
Yeah, yeah, I’m reaching a bit here – but with the quality of squads these three franchises have it is not such a ridiculous thought as I originaly thought when it came from national coach Pieter de Villiers at first.
Stormers chances this weekend? I am pretty sure whoever dominates the rucks and tackle ball area will walk away with the points tomorrow. On paper this is an exciting prospect for the visitors – with arguably two of the better fetchers in the competition. However, the Crusaders committed a lot more numbers to the breakdown last week, instrumental in frustrating the Waratahs into defeat. The injury to Bekker may actually be a blessing in disguise, having two locks in Fondse and Venter playing towards the ball, cleaning rucks and add physicality in contact.
Kicking from hand (although not fascinating) but a crucial element of the game. The Stormers again will fancy their chances with Januarie, De Waal and Grant. However, McDonald and the young Slade were very good last week. Ellis and Brett too have educated boots on them – and while Monty is doing well. Bobo and Nqalevuki is not exactly known for kicking or counter-attacks. If the Stormers don’t get exposed on the wings, the visitors will fancy their chances.
Kicking from hand makes for a new argument – can the Stormers obtain quality line-out ball without the try-scorer Bekker… In Fondse, Venter and Vermeulen they should hold their own – maybe using Burger as a surprise now and then as the Sharks uses Daniel. However, in competing for the ball the Stormers will be affected giving good ball to Casey Laulala and company to run at what I believe is a vulnerable flyhalf channel. The quality loose forwards of the Stormers should keep the threat at bay – however taking one loose forward out of slowing opposition ball at the breakdown could very well result in multi-phase play with Leon MacDonald exploiting space.
Same old, same old when it comes to Brian Mujati. Scrum time will be crucial to getting Burger, Vermeulen and Watson into play. Whether we can rely on the Zimbabwian born strongman to give us that – remains to be seen.
Will the beer keep flowing from 9h00 tomorrow morning. My heart says it can, my liver says he can, my mind says “bring on the cans.” Bulls, Sharks, Stormers and Lions’ wins tomorrow, while the Cheetahs have to wait another week