Super 15: Stormers vs Hurricanes. Newlands Stadium (25/2/2012, 15:05 GMT)

[Darwin]

Newlands Stadium, Cape Town (25/2/2012, 15:05 GMT)
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Referee: Marius Jonker
AR1: Stuart Berry
AR2 : Cobus Wessels
TMO : Shaun Veldsman

 

[Gena_ZA]

Tough game for a touring squad after their off season troubles.
Can't see them coming close to the Stormers first game

 

[William18]

Yeah, neither. It will be interesting to see what tea Hammett rolls with. He can either go for inexperienced players like Perenara and Barrett who look about 1-2 years being off super rugby players or more experienced players like Eaton and Kirkpatrick who may be better for now but will never be quality players.

 

[Darwin]

Yeah, neither. It will be interesting to see what tea Hammett rolls with. He can either go for inexperienced players like Perenara and Barrett who look about 1-2 years being off super rugby players or more experienced players like Eaton and Kirkpatrick who may be better for now but will never be quality players.

It will be interesting to see what way the Canes go - given they don't have any realistic chance of making the playoffs this season I think they really need to use this as a development season. I'm not necessarily advocating rushing the young players into the starting lineup, but I think they need to be introduced early (even if gradually) and given a chance at this level. I actually think Barrett is at least at the same level as Kirkpatrick already, so would definitely start him. Though I don't rate Eaton I expect he will get the start over Perenara. I would really like to see Brad Shields get a start, as he looks more than ready for Super Rugby in my opinion.

The Hurricanes 25-man touring squad for South Africa is:

Backs:
Chris Eaton, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Tim Bateman, Charlie Ngatai, Conrad Smith (captain), Alapati Leiua, Julian Savea, Andre Taylor, Cory Jane

Forwards:
Dane Coles, Motu Matu'u, Ben May, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Michael Bent, Tristan Moran, Jason Eaton, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Brad Shields, Scott Fuglistaller

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Certainly the weakest of the NZ sides the Stormers really need to get 5 points in the bank seeing as they are at home and have had numerous warm-up games to get the rust off (and get a few players injured). Not getting the bonus point would be mission incomplete in my mind.

That said, going out and playing for 5 points rather than going out to secure the win is never a goof frame of mind to be in ahead of a game and all opposition need to be respected as we could make things difficult if we are unfocussed and let them in with early points and allow them to get their tails up.

Stormers also had a relatively bad off-season (losing plenty of quality players, losing Rassie and the stadium issue rasing it's head again with the politicians trying their very best to force us to abandon Newlands with a lot of injury concerns).

Prediction:
Stormers to win by 13+ points. No disrespect to the 'Canes intended.

 

[Dizzy]

Stormers! Expect the unexpected!..

What point is supporting a team if you don't think they're going to win..

I think the Canes will pull out an upset here!.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

vBookie Stormers - 'Canes

What will the weather be? A Storm or a Hurricane? Go nuts!

 

[Dizzy]

Lol, I love all the little comments Eze

 

[Larksea]

after everything the canes have gone through it's hard to see them having any chance

but even with a hand ful of all blacks jumping ship they have a strong squad of guys who have something to prove

some names

Barrett
Perenara
Vito
Jane
Conrad Smith
Broadhurst
Jason Eaton

I dont think there are any super squads around that wouldn't trade someone on their books for any one or all of these guys if they could

Also have a number of guys with potential who could show their worth this season with the chance they will get for the canes.

Jack Lam springs to mind, for a while last year he was mind blowing good but the intensity he plays at is very high and hard to maintain I think. But I doubt he will be holding back at all for the first game he will likely throw himself into everything till his body gives out like last year.

Throw in names like Lowe, May, Coles, Thrush, Ngatai & Bateman

They really are not as weak on paper as many would like to believe and you can bet Hammett will be working his hard to have them working close to the formula that he picked up being part of the crusaders setup for such a long time.

If barrett finds his feet at super level then the canes will be a threat to anyone. I think he's the closest thing to a 10 that has the potential to be near the class of Dan Carter of the impressive pool of young 10's currently in the NZ game

many people... have to say myself included want to see Hammett fail but I look at his roster and setup and I think that within 2 seasons the Canes will be in a better position than they were under Colin Cooper

Going to be interesting...

 

[Dizzy]

Only difference being... The Canes were pretty much at their peak with Colin Cooper, and had a strong base of long serving Wellingtonians.
Hammett is going to have to show some real class if he's even going to get close to the Canes form under Cooper.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Stormers side announced to face the 'Canes.

http://www.sarugby.com/news.cfm?newsid=19690

15 Joe Pietersen
14 Gerhard van der Heever
13 Brian Habana - with Juan de Jongh injured
12 Jean de Villiers
11 Gio Aplon
10 Gary van Aswegen
9 Dewaldt Duvenhage
8 Nick Koster
7 Duane Vermeulen
6 Schalk Burger
5 Andries Bekker
4 Eben Etzebeth - with Rynhardt Elstadt injured (what a great young talent to have spare!)
3 Brok Harris
2 Tiaan Liebenberg
1 Steven Kitshoff

16 Siyabonga Ntubeni - with Deon Fourie injured
17 Frans Malherbe
18 De Kock Steenkamp
19 Siya Kolisi
20 Louis Schreuder
21 Burton Francis
22 Marcel Brache

Pretty much the best team we could field considering the injuries. Funnily enough I feel our weakest point in the backline is our midfield (what a difference a year makes!) while our depth on the bench is hardly inspiring. Otherwise only our front row is suspect and we shouldn't get found out by the 'Canes IMO though other teams might put pressure on us at scrumtime. Our depth of talent in the 2nd row and backrow remains our biggest asset but we'll have to see how we cope in the tight exchanges as Louw and Elstadt did most of the close dirty work while their replacements in Koster and Etzebeth love space to work with.

All said I am still quite confident of a Stormers win this match.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

No JP du Plessis? That's weird... Not even on the bench

 

[Darwin]

Pretty strong looking Stormers team - should be easily good enough to beat the Canes. The front row isn't that impressive (due largely to the fact that Kitshoff is still very young) - I would quite like to see the Canes start Toomaga-Allen (another youngster) at tight-head, though I suspect Ben May will get that spot. Looking forward to seeing Etzebeth and Kolisi at this level. The backline looks pretty good, and back three looks particularly dangerous.... fortunately for the Canes they probably won't receive much ball with Habana at 13!

 

[big ginger 8]

When are the 'canes naming their team does anyone know?

 

[Darwin]

When are the 'canes naming their team does anyone no.

Not sure, but I'd guess it will be out within the next couple of hours. You desperate to get your fantasy rugby squad sorted out?

Given the 25-man squad I'd predict a starting lineup along the lines of:

Moran, Coles, May, Broadhurst, Thrush, Levave, Lam, Vito, Eaton, Barrett, Savea, Ngatai, Smith, Jane, Taylor

 

[big ginger 8]

Not sure, but I'd guess it will be out within the next couple of hours. You desperate to get your fantasy rugby squad sorted out? Given the 25-man squad I'd predict a starting lineup along the lines of:Moran, Coles, May, Broadhurst, Thrush, Levave, Lam, Vito, Eaton, Barrett, Savea, Ngatai, Smith, Jane, Taylor

You know me too well. Thanks.

 

[Dizzy]

Hmm, I'm confident in a Canes win here... Earlier in the week I was thinking we're gonna get thrashed, but the squad isn't as bad as it seems without Weepu and Nonu.

 

[Icemn]

Go the canes!!!!

 

[igziabeher]

Hurricanes team :
Taylor - Jane, Smith (C), Bateman, Leiua - Barrett, C.Eaton - Vito, Lam, Levave - J.Eaton, Thrush - May, Coles, Moran
Bench : Matu'u, Toomaga-Allen, Broadhurst, Shields, Perenara, Kirkpatrick, Ngatai

 

[FlukeArtist]

This game is really interesting I reckon.

Hoping the Canes can exceed expectations this year (taht shouldn't be too hard given the low expectations most people have for them)

Also interested to see how Habana goes at centre.
Can't remember ever seeing the guy pass a ball to be honest.