Stormers on tour

[TRF_stormer2010]

Stormers' touring squad released.

http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=34558

1. Steven Kitshoff,
2. Tiaan Liebenberg,
3. Brok Harris,
4. Eben Etzebeth,
5. Andries Bekker,
6. Siya Kolisi,
7. Duane Vermeulen,
8. Nick Koster,
9. Dewaldt Duvenage,
10. Peter Grant,
11. Bryan Habana,
12. Jean de Villiers,
13. Juan de Jongh,
14. Gio Aplon,
15. Joe Pietersen,

16. Deon Fourie,
17. Frans Malherbe ,
18. Rynhardt Elstadt,
19. Nizaam Carr,
20. Louis Schreuder,
21. Burton Francis,
22. Gerhard van den Heever,

23. Siyabonga Ntubeni,
24. Deon Carstens,
25. De Kock Steenkamp,
26. JP du Plessis

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Quite a small squad though I suppose there are some players that can fill multiple roles; Carstens can slot in either side of the scrum, we have 3 hookers, Elstadt can play in the backrow and then between Grant, Duvenhage and Aplon we have players that have played all over the backline. Just slightly surprised not to see Nic Groom also on tour as I'd have thought we at least need 2 'extra' backlin players and scrummie is the most specialised IMO that we don't have extra cover for.

I think much of the Stormers' success so far has been due to our players having stayed fit and uninjured except for cappie Burger with Kolisi stepping up nicely and Etzebeth making the no.4 jersey his while Elstadt was out. With Elsatdt back aalong with Deon Fourie we actually look a better matchday 22 than in the previous rounds on paper.

I am actually very confident ahead of this tour although it is undoutably a very tough one; in the Highlanders, Crusaders, Reds and Force we have the top placed NZ team, the most successful S15 team, the current champs and a resurging Force team. My reasons to feel confident though are that we have done well against the Highlanders the last few years as they don't vary their game and we counters their strengths pretty well and should do so more this year than previous ones as I feel our pack is a little more assertive than in previous years. The next fixture the Crusaders will be back after touring SA just the week before and playing an angry Bulls team in the Highveld so I'd say they'd be worse for wear and travelling than we would. The Reds are in a pickle and though the Force are going to be tough it is a match-up that we should win at least on paper...

So, if we could take 2 on tour we'd be in a good position. 3 wins and we'd be sitting pretty with a bye week following the tour.

 

[Shosoloza]

Well the toughest game will be the highlanders.The saders aren't the team they used to be and I really can't see either the reds or force beat you. If you can beat the Highlanders you can very well return home still unbeaten.

 

[SomeOke]

Well the toughest game will be the highlanders.The saders aren't the team they used to be and I really can't see either the reds or force beat you. If you can beat the Highlanders you can very well return home still unbeaten.

Hmmm I'm not so sure the Crusaders are any easier than the Highlanders if at all, the Saders have Carter back, BMT and a tendency to gain momentum.

I'll be honest at the beginning of the season I'd have accepted two away losses on this tour and that hasn't really changed.
From a fairly pessimistic point of view if we lose to the Saders and Highlanders, and the Bulls and Sharks away 12/16 wins is more than enough to make a play-off spot, and possibly even still top our conference. (I don't see us losing to the Warratahs at home, and we don't play the chiefs or the brumbies)

So in short - I'd love to see us win all our away games but teams very seldom win every match (even the championship teams) and as a Stormers fan I wouldn't be to perturbed about a loss or two on this tour, however I do believe we are capable of winning every game, I just want to add a little perspective. Traditionally 10/16 wins has been enough to crack a play-off spot, and starting with 5 straight wins has put us in a nice position.