Super Rugby: Hurricanes vs. Stormers in Palmerston North (26/04/2013)

[Darwin]

FMG Stadium, Palmerston North

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[Darwin]

Hurricanes:
1.Ben Franks, 2.Motu Matu'u, 3.Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4.Jeremy Thrush, 5.Jason Eaton, 6.Brad Shields, 7.Karl Lowe, 8.Victor Vito, 9.TJ Perenara, 10.Beauden Barrett, 11.Matt Proctor, 12.Tim Bateman, 13.Conrad Smith (c), 14.Alapati Leiua, 15.Andre Taylor.
Reserves:16.Ash Dixon, 17.Ben May, 18.Mark Reddish, 19.Faifili Levave, 20.Ardie Savea, 21.Chris Smylie, 22.Tusi Pisi.

Julian Savea is unavailable this week after revelations of his assualt charge, but is expected to rejoin the side next week. Quite a few changes to the side, most of which I like. It is good to see Toomaga-Allen again starting at TH prop (ahead of May), as he is very good around the field (and ever improving at scrum time). Eaton is back from injury, but will need to play well as Reddish has been surprisingly good in his absence. Vito's return is key for the Canes forward pack, as I felt they have really lacked his leadership in recent weeks. The only change I don't really like in the forwards is the inclusion of Karl Lowe at 7. He is a solid player, but I would much rather have seen Ardie Savea starting, and would have preferred Jack Lam too.

I like the look of the backline much better this weekend, even with the absence of Savea. Perenara is back at 9, while Barrett is back in his rightful position which should really help the backline as a whole. Proctor is set to make his debut in place of Savea, and it will be interesting to see how he goes. Though he is far from a complete player at this stage of his career he has an uncanny ability to break tackles, so could catch the Stormers by surprise. Taylor gets another chance at 15 - he just needs to start backing himself if he is ever going to re-capture something resembling last seasons form...

I'm picking it will be a pretty close game, but can't really pick a winner until I see the Stormers lineup...

 

[Gena_ZA]

Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen,14. Gio Aplon,13. Juan de Jongh,12. Jean de Villiers (captain),11. Bryan Habana,10. Gary van Aswegen,9. Dewaldt Duvenage,8. Duane Vermeulen (vice-captain),7. Michael Rhodes,6. Siya Kolisi,5. Andries Bekker,4. De Kock Steenkamp,3. Pat Cilliers,2. Deon Fourie,1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements :16. Scarra Ntubeni,17. Brok Harris,18. Rynhardt Elstadt,19. Nizaam Carr,20. Nic Groom,21. Louis Schreuder,22. Damian de Allende

There you go, Stormers by 20+

 

[SomeOke]

There you go, Stormers by 20+

Haha we can only hope.

I do think the Stormers will win though, the Hurricanes aren't the type of side that beats the Stormers. We don't play loose at all and won't give the Canes backline any space for shenanigans, we should also be fairly dominant in the set-piece and the tackle area. I'm not saying the Hurricanes forwards are bad by any stretch of the imagination. Just not physical enough to compete with the Stormers.

Stomers to win by 7 but never really look like losing.

 

[Gena_ZA]

my bad, was a typo
Stormers by 12+

 

[sifplay]

Where is Grant?

 

[Darwin]

I reckon this will actually be a pretty close match. The Stormers are the better team on paper, but they are away from home, and haven't exactly been in the greatest of form.

The Stormers should have the advantage up front, but I still think they would be better playing a hooker in the 2 jersey rather than a centre The Stormers lineout has been shaky at times this season, but I don't think the Canes have the personal to exploit this. The loose-forwards are pretty evenly matched - I'm a big fan of Vermeulen, so am really looking forward to his match-up with Vito.

The Hurricanes probably have an edge in the halves (now that Barrett is back at 10), though I'm sure the Stormers midfield will be looking to target Barrett in defense (probably with some success). I see the Stormers having the advantage in the midfield, mainly as I don't like the balance of the Canes midfield. Bateman and Smith are both distributors rather than runners - the Canes will need be relying heavily on forward runners to get over the advantage line this match, especially with Savea out. The Stormers have a big advantage in the outside backs too. Proctor is going to have his hands full marking Aplon (though could surprise Aplon with his deceptive power), while I'm sure Habana and Leiua will be competing to see who can take the most intercepts on the other wing....

Overall I'm picking the Stormers by 5....

 

[austingtir]

Wow stormers maul looks like men against boys its just ridiculously good.

 

[cyclone101]

Stormers are struggling a bit to get a try

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

First collapsed maul should've been a penalty try.

Justice is served two penalties later.

 

[austingtir]

Stormers are struggling a bit to get a try

It was bound to come with a maul like that!

 

[austingtir]

With the wind in the second half the stormers are going to take this easy imo. If they dont with that maul they are mugs.

 

[austingtir]

Walsh is having a shocker as usual. Clearly on the terps to of missed that!

 

[austingtir]

Hurricanes have a chance to score before halftime. They need it pretty badly.

 

[austingtir]

SCORE! That alteast give them a chance in the second half.

 

[cyclone101]

SCORE! That alteast give them a chance in the second half.

I like it! Were in for an interesting second half!

 

[austingtir]

That wasnt a bad effort from the canes there 18 phases and then a knock on. Iv been fairly impressed by Jeremy Thrush this year he's been pretty brutal at times.

 

[Icemn]

was that charge down legal :?

 

[austingtir]

I agree with Marshall the hurricanes need to get Taylor a one on one with Aplon.

 

[austingtir]

was that charge down legal :?

The conversion one? I thought it was fine.