Super XV Big Match Preview - Stormers v Chiefs

Some people love to overreact.  It’s almost a form of entertainment for them, and generally gets some attention.  Think of the Daily Mail’s reaction to a spot of horse in your burger, or your mother’s declaration of a blizzard and a manic call to thermal arms when the temperature drops below 14 degrees celcius (well, that’s my mother’s reaction anyway).  It’s normally harmless and everybody secretly loves a bit of drama – which is probably why the South African press have declared a ‘crisis’ at the Stormers after only 2 games this season.

The South African 2012 Conference winners have got off to the worst start possible this year, losing firstly at home in a suprise reverse to the Bulls before being turned over against old rivals the Sharks the following week.  And it doesn’t exactly get any easier with the Chiefs, the 2012 outright winners, coming to town this weekend.  So where has it all gone wrong for the Stormers?  Well, against the Sharks, they were about as threatening as a damp sponge – ruining any potentially promising positions by leaking possession through lack of concentration or confusion over what they were doing.  The pack weren’t having an awful game, grabbing a decent amount of possession (although not particularly quick ball) but the once-vaunted Stormers backline has just been blunt for some reason.  One theory is that young tyro 10 Elton Jantjies is still taking some time to bed into the Stormers’ style of play – but he needs to get used to it quickly if the Stormers are going to challenge for honours again this year.

For the Chiefs, in contrast, everything is rosy.  Reigning champions with an unbeaten tour of South Africa in 2012  (despite not facing the Stormers) to reflect on, the Waikato side have looked ominously good in the opening rounds of this year’s tournament, with 2 bonus point wins and 10 tries to their name already.  The precision and threat from all areas of the field is staggering, especially through their backline, which has some serious pace to burn.  If there is one question to be asked of the Chiefs though, it’s how good is their defence – especially in the centres, where Tim Nanai Williams’ tackling isn’t up to the standard of his attacking game?  The Highlanders ran three tries past them and the Cheetahs should have grabbed a couple if they had been clinical, and there are times when they seem a bit slow to realign round the corners of rucks.  It’s a small point, but one the Stormers must focus on if they are to have any chance of grabbing anything out of this game.

So is it really panic stations for the South African outfit?  No.  But wait to see what the reaction will be if they don’t win this one...

 

Stormers Team News

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has kept faith with his players by naming an unchanged starting XV to try to turn their season around.  The only changes are on the bench with fit-again Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg coming in for Martin Bezuidenhout and Dewaldt Duvenage replacing Louis Schreuder as the back-up half-back.

Starting Line up:  Joe Pietersen; Gio Aplon, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana; Elton Jantjies, Nick Groom; Duane Vermeulen, Rynhardt Elstadt, Siya Kolisi; Andries Bekker, De Kock Steenkamp; Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff.

Subs: Tiaan Liebenberg, Pat Cilliers, Don Armand, Nizaam Carr, Dewaldt Duvenage, Peter Grant, Gerhard van den Heever.

Key Player

Elton Jantjies.  The young fly half not only has to sort his game management and place kicking out in order to be seen as a reliable influence, he also has to start using his undoubted vision and passing skills to greater effect in bringing the fantastically talented backline outside of him into the game more.  We’ve hardly seen Habana, Aplon or Pietersen in any sort of space yet, whilst last year they were attacking from all over the park.  Of course, Jantjies needs quicker ball than he’s been getting, but he needs to be ready to pull the trigger when it does eventually materialise.

 

Chiefs Team News

Dave Rennie has made several changes to his side ahead of the game.  Mahonri Schwalger starts at hooker and Tanerau Latimer at No 6 for the first time this season, while Craig Clarke resumes his starting spot at lock and Liam Messam moves to No 8.  Charlie Ngatai starts in the No 12 Jersey. Nick Crosswell makes his debut for the Chiefs and Andrew Horrell comes back in from injury. Hika Elliot and Augustine Pulu join the reserves.

Starting Line up:  Gareth Anscombe; Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Asaeli Tikoirotuma; Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer; Brodie Retallick, Craig Clarke (captain); Ben Afeaki, Mahroni Schwalger, Pauliasi Manu.

Subs: Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Michael Fitzgerald, Nick Crosswell, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Patrick Osborne.

Key Player

Tim Nanai-Williams.  Watching him run with the ball in space is the rugby equivalent of watching Cheryl Cole take an aerobics class in lycra – energetic and thoroughly watchable.  His acceleration and out and out pace is a terrifying prospect for any defence to face, but he will have to be on top of his game when he doesn’t have the ball as the grizzled Stormers midfield – namely Jean De Villiers – will be looking to lay a marker on him early on.

 

Key Battle

Duane Vermeulen v Liam Messam.  The big South African number 8 has been a rare positive for the Stormers so far this season – in fact, against the Sharks, he was one of the few carriers to consistently make yards.  If this Stormers backline is to fire, the pack has to get over the gainline and produce quick ball – and this will be a task Vermeulan has to lead.  Messam on the other hand is playing out of position at 8 but will be no less of a wrecking ball.  He will be on a mission to shut down the home side’s go forward at source, and that means stopping Vermealen.

Prediction

The Stormers will always be a tough prospect at home, but I’m not sure the confidence is there at the minute.  And with the Chiefs looking absolutely awesome at the moment, I think they’ll really take the game to the hosts and come away with a win.  Chiefs by 10.

Let’s see where else to put our money this weekend...

Hurricanes v Crusaders – The Hurricanes are without a win from their first two games and will be desperate to get off the mark, but so will the visitors who suffered a shock loss to the Blues last week.  I think the Crusaders will finally click this week after taking a hiding the previous round.  Crusaders by 12.

Rebels v Reds – The Reds haven’t hit full stride yet this season, whilst the Rebels are on a steady upward curve (certainly performance-wise), so this could be a potential banana-skin for the reigning conference champions.  That said, I think that they will prove just too strong for the Melbourne side in a tight game.  Reds by 5.

Highlanders v Cheetahs – The Cheetahs were nowhere near as bad as their thumping by the Chiefs suggested and were looking solid for the best part of an hour.  The Highlanders will have their work cut out but I think they look really good at the moment and will come away with a win.  Highlanders by 15.

Brumbies v Waratahs – The Waratahs look like they may be a serious threat this season, but this Brumbies team continues to suprise with great performances in their opening two matches.  They’re at home and should get a win over their stubborn opposition.  Brumbies by 8.

Kings v Sharks – The Kings suprised a hell of a lot of people by defeating the Western Force in their first outing, but playing the Sharks will be an altogether more challenging proposition.  The Sharks are 2 from 2 and will be dying to cut loose.  Sharks by 30.