Rugby
Boks to make Stormers debuts
2010-01-19 15:05
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Gavin Rich
Johannesburg - Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie will make their Stormers debuts against the Force at the weekend in what could be viewed as the alternative backline combination to the one the coaches would prefer to see start the Super 14.
Willem de Waal was still not taking contact at training on Tuesday, and his return to the playing field looks set to coincide with the final warm-up match against Boland at the new Cape Town Stadium on February 6.
That is one week before the tournament opener against the Lions in Johannesburg. Stormers coach Allister Coetzee left little doubt on Tuesday that the Stormers are still looking to De Waal to start that match if he proves his readiness, with Peter Grant perhaps moving from flyhalf to inside centre as partner to Fourie.
However, while De Waal is sidelined, the Stormers look set to continue with the other option, which is to play Grant at his usual position of flyhalf, with Juan de Jongh partnering Springbok Fourie.
“We saw how well Juan played at inside centre when we moved him there in the Currie Cup and he is definitely an option, but we also know that Peter Grant can play inside centre if Willem comes in at flyhalf,” said Coetzee.
On Tuesday the Stormers had Dewaldt Duvenage and Grant at halfback, De Jongh and Fourie were paired up in the midfield, while the back three were made up of Bryan Habana, Sireli Naqelevuki and fullback Joe Pietersen. Conrad Jantjes was at training but still has some weeks to go before he can be considered as he continues his comeback after breaking his leg towards the end of the last Super 14 season.
The Stormers face the Force at Newlands on Saturday (17:00) in the first match of the tri-series friendly competition which also involves the Sharks. The Sharks play the Force at Newlands on Tuesday, January 26, with the Stormers and Sharks clashing in the last match on January 29.
“It is not about the results for us, but about getting the little things right, things that you cannot work on once the Super 14 starts and it all comes down to winning at all costs. We will still make sure though that we use it as a proper dress rehearsal for our first match, which means we will be taking all of our kicks at poles so as to properly replicate a match atmosphere.”