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Preview - Blues v Stormers
Sportal.co.nz - (8/04/2010)
The Blues managed to dish out the Bulls' first loss of the season last week and will be looking to continue against the Stormers who are hurting after their loss to the Force. If the Blues can again demonstrate their ability to attack in all areas of the field, the Stormers will be needing all hands on deck.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 13 – Blues 9, Western Province/Stormers 4.
LAST TIME: April 28, 2009 (Cape Town) – Stormers 8-14 Blues.
LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 28, 2008 – Blues 17-14 Stormers.
WALKING WOUNDED: Despite concerns over John Afoa's back, the Blues have named an unchanged side from the one that beat the Bulls last week. The Stormers have made a few voluntary changes; Dewaldt Duvenage has been restored to halfback, Juan de Jongh (recovered from an elbow injury) returns in midfield and Adriaan Fondse starts at lock. JC Kritzinger's hamstring injury has ruled him out with JD Moller getting the start.
FORM:
PAST FIVE Blues:
Round 4: Lost to Crusaders 20-33
Round 5: Bye
Round 6: Beat Brumbies 39-34
Round 7: Lost to Waratahs 32-39
Round 8: Beat Bulls 32-17
PAST FIVE Stormers:
Round 4: Beat Highlanders 33-0
Round 5: Beat Hurricanes 37-13
Round 6: Beat Stormers 21-8
Round 7: Bye
Round 8: Lost to Force 15-16
After a couple of frustrating losses that threatened to derail their season the Blues got things back on track last week with an excellent win over the previously undefeated Bulls. It was achieved the hard way and took plenty of commitment and aggression from the forwards, who stood up manfully and eventually battered the big Bulls pack into submission. The backs may not have been as cohesive as in past weeks but still managed a couple of tries; they'll need to be sharper this week against the competition’s toughest defence. The Stormers, who had been on a winning run, came up short against a committed Force team and lost to an after-the-siren David Hill dropped goal. While the Cape men only conceded one try - a cracker - they couldn't score any and deserved to drop the points. Those two results were critical in the table compression that took place over the weekend and left the composition of the last four very much up in the air.
WHO'S HOT: Veteran forwards Keven Mealamu and Jerome Kaino played huge roles against the Bulls but most of the plaudits went to two younger men, props Charlie Faumuina and Tevita Mailau. Faumuina, who made a rocky beginning and Mailau, an early replacement for Afoa, both played storming games and eventually they were dominating far more renowned opponents. Rene Ranger had his moments but, unlike most previous matches, these included some he'd rather forget. He is still one of the most dangerous attacking centres in the competition but improved ball security will be high on Pat Lam’s wish list against the hard-tackling Stormers. After setting a high standard of controlled, error-free rugby the Stormers lost the blueprint last weekend and errors contributed to their downfall. Duvenage, who has been far sharper than Ricky Januarie this season, will offer stability at halfback. Slightly built Gio Aplon, at fullback in Joe Pietersen's absence, is sure to be tested early by the Blues kicking game and needs to be sure under high balls and strong on the tackle. Up front all eyes will be on the two Springbok strong men, Andries Bekker and Schalk Burger; if they're not prominent the Blues are probably dominant.
WE THINK: The Blues showed just how well they can play last week and more of the same is required on Saturday. They also know how Stuart Dickinson will blow the breakdowns - he was in charge as they got pinged off North Harbour Stadium in the opener - and expect to see far greater discipline this time round. We think the Blues will do it, much the same way as last week, and would tip a 10-point margin.
TEAMS:
Blues: 1. Charlie Faumuina, 2.Keven Mealamu (captain), 3.John Afoa, 4.Kurtis Haiu, 5.Anthony Boric, 6.Jerome Kaino, 7.Serge Lilo, 8.Viliame Ma'afu, 9.Alby Mathewson, 10.Stephen Brett, 11.Rudi Wulf, 12.Benson Stanley, 13.Rene Ranger, 14.Joe Rokocoko, 15.Isaia Toeava.
Reserves: 16.Tom McCartney, 17.Tevita Mailau, 18.Filo Paulo, 19.Peter Saili, 20.Chris Smylie, 21.Luke McAlister, 22. Paul Williams.
Stormers: 1.JD Moller, 2.Tiaan Liebenberg, 3.Brok Harris, 4.Adriaan Fondse, 5.Andries Bekker, 6.Schalk Burger (captain), 7.Francois Louw, 8.Duane Vermeulen, 9.Dewaldt Duvenhage, 10.Peter Grant, 11.Bryan Habana, 12.Juan de Jongh, 13.Jaque Fourie, 14. Sireli Naqelevuki, 15. Gio Aplon.
Reserves: 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
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