move up the ranks. It is interesting that the French version of this game is called saute-mouton which literally means “leaping sheep’ but enough of the sheep analogies, the Blues will need to be taken seriously by the Stormers this weekend and it is a difficult result to call.
With only 4 points separating the two teams the Blues could in theory win with 4 tries, with more than 7 points and jump over the Stormers. It was looking oh so cozy for the Stormers before they left the confines of Newlands, second position on the log and the WP faithful singing “WP jou lekker ding!” But the Stormers have never been the greatest tourists and the way they were beaten by log trailers the Force will not fill the fans with confidence. In addition the Blues outplayed the mighty Bulls so what chance do the Stormers realistically have of preventing another loss?
They do have without doubt the best record in the competition when it comes to defense, their try line has only been crossed 6 times this year which is an incredible stat considering the average of the other teams in the Super 14 is a staggering 21 tries. That in itself should be a massive confidence booster for the Captonians, even if they do lose there is simply no way the Blues will get a bonus point for tries. But can they lose with a star-studded backline that includes Habana, Naqelevuki, Fourie and de Jogh? It is a backline that is the equal of any in the competition so why have they only mustered a meager 17 tries so far? Less than all the top 10 teams!
If the Stormers are going to get back to winning ways their impeccable defense must be converted into tries. Jacque Fourie is firing hot and cold, Habana has only shown glimpses of his best and if Naqelevuki wakes up feeling like playing we just might see the Stormers stringing phases together and crossing the try line. With the team they have it is difficult to understand why they just can't score more tries.
Come what may this is the Stormers biggest test so far and if they come to the park at their very best they have every reason to believe that a win is possible. Don’t discount Stuart "Whistling Dixie" Dickenson who can obliterate any team on his day as he has proved consistently. Time will tell whether the selection of Adriaan Fondse instead of Anton van Zyl is an inspired bit of genius or the choice of a confused knucklehead but I honestly don’t know what van Zyl has done wrong to be sitting on the bench. Hopefully he gets a run along with Tim Whitehead, and little Ricky keeps the bench warm for the full 80.
Prediction: It’s a toughie! The Blues result against the Bulls has sent shockwaves through the Super 14 and the only way I see the Stormers winning is if they play like they have not played so far this season. The win won’t be a great one but I have to believe the Blues will win it by a whisker. Prove me wrong Stormers!
Teams:
Stormers: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Sireli Naqelevuki, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 François Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Eusebio Guinazu, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Pieter Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Willem de Waal, 22 Tim Whitehead.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock, Matthew Stanish
TMO: Glenn Newman
